End Cap damage October 13, 2011, 02:57:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 125976Dear Rick. Good luck with the termite company damage. To prevail, you would need solid proof that they were responsible. As far as welding goes, it is almost impossible to weld anything this thin, especially aluminum. Just the removal would be difficult. The natural tendency is to repair the end cap 'as good as new', but as old as your rig is, a cosmetic repair would be best. See if you can determine if there is any actual damage to the wood frame underneath. If it is OK, and the damage is cosmetic, then Bondo would be best. A few stainless screws sticking out, driven into the wood framework, would provide an anchor for the Bondo. It would be easy to fill, shape, and paint. It should stick well to the bare aluminum, and would be passable. The paint could be matched (brush on), and the decals could be replaced with painted on stripes. The decals on my 12 year old rig are starting to go, and I plan to replace them in a simpler style with spray paint. I doubt if many people would even notice that the vinyl decals were gone. Hope this was helpful. RonB and 'Bluebelle' a '99 TKB.
Re: End Cap damage Reply #1 – October 13, 2011, 03:31:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 125977RickI have to agree with Ramon and Ron. Straighten it the best you can and glue the inside and Bondo the outside. The cap is mostly cosmetic, not structural. You may be able to TIG weld but why chance it? The newer, plastic end caps may be usable if your repairs do not work out. Another quick call to the Factory should answer that and also how much a new piece will be. Guess this a a good lesson to all to photo the exterior before taking it in for work. I try to do this when renting cars and always let the agent see me doing it.Larry