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Topic: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass (Read 792 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #25 –
Never had this happen in either our '83 over 19 years, nor in our '04 since 2012. Like you, we boil water and keep in a thermos for daily washing chores, but when adding to the sink, I always have cold water in first. I add the boiling hot water until comfortable to my hand. Perhaps pouring it just onto a wet washcloth is the problem, keeping the heat from escaping. 120 degrees may be too hot. I also insulated the underside of our sink for camping in colder weather, to keep the bowl contents comfortable.

For washing dishes, we use a separate container on the counter for the hot, soapy water, rinsing in the sink.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #26 –
In 26 years of owning two LDs, none of the sinks have developed cracking and a lot of very hot water has gone down them.
I will not pour boiling water into the drain but have no issues using the 120-degree water produced by the heater. It is something we never think about.
My guess is LD acquired a run of defective sinks and you have been unlucky enough to get two of them. It's not a common problem, I can't remember anyone with a fairy new LD having this issue before.
Have you contacted the Mothership?

Atwood makes an adjustable thermostat that can be set as low as around 105 degrees, it's fine for showers but too cold for proper rinsing of dishes.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #27 –
"My guess is LD acquired a run of defective sinks and you have been unlucky enough to get two of them."
----
Bonnie mentioned that LD had changed manufacturers of the bathroom sinks; this could be a red flag due to complaints/issues with the sinks from the previous manufacturer, or the manufacturer switch could be a simple price point decision.

If the new sink that was provided by LD is from the previous manufacturer, it does seem likely that both sinks were from a defective run. Like others who have reported, the "washbowl" in my 2003 has had no issues in almost 18 years of use.

I'm sure this is disappointing and frustrating, and I hope it can be satisfactorily resolved.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #28 –
We use water in the bathroom sink that has just recently come off a boil in the teakettle. BUT, I first run a cup or less of cold tap water into the (stoppered) bowl before slowly adding the hot to mix to the desired temp for washing with a cloth. Loni does it a bit differently. She puts her cloth in the basin, runs cold onto it to thoroughly soak, then dribbles hot onto it from the kettle. This has worked fine for 15 years. Perhaps 120 degrees is still too hot for a room temp bowl. Dunno. — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #29 –

Hi Bonnie;  re-reading the entire thread, that brown mass you found growing was indeed growing. I've had similar masses grow in drains before. A simple fungus similar to a mushroom.  Direct chlorine treatment would have stopped that.  While the possibility of trapped air bubbles in the fiberglass, that would expand and burst (or at least crack into the surface) could cause this; I expect that it is a totality of the entire sink expanding from temperature change, and squeezing out at the slightest weak point. Anybody that has worked with Bondo knows about bubbles!
    As far as cutting out the sink portion from the counter and putting in a stainless sink, it is very doable.  Your advisors obviously haven't worked on boats before.  My TK sink is smaller than your midbath sink. My TK sink is  oval 12" x 8" x 6" deep.  This stainless sink is similar to that, and came up on Amazon at a reasonable price.  Amazon.com: Ambassador Marine Oval Stainless Steel Round Bottom Ultra Mirror...
    While I would do this repair myself, you might want to outsource this. 
        Your MB may have a bigger counter top size. If it is big enough, this one, also Amazon, might fit. It is longer.
Houzer CS-1105-1 Club Series Undermount Stainless Steel Compact Bar/Prep...
   This is just Amazon. Marine parts stores may have a more sinks that would also fit.  Hope this helps.       RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #30 –
Hi Bonnie; It would be helpful if I knew more about the actual size of your sink, inside dimensions.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #31 –
Ron,

I measure it as:  12" x 8.5" by 6 1/2" deep.  Since it curves down slowly it is tricky to get an exact measurement.  I am attaching pictures.  Seems very close to the size of yours.  Can you attach a picture of yours?

I emailed one of the sink manufactures that Lazy Dazy no longer uses, and he said what we are doing with the water would not cause an issue.  I just cannot figure out why we have had this issue twice and NO ONE else seems to have had the issue.

Can anyone run their fingers along the inside of their sink and see if you can feel any slight cracks anywhere?

This is what the ex-sink manufacturer said:
Bonnie,
                Heat and cold shock is not the problem in my opinion. Without pictures it is hard to determine a cause. Sometimes crack are generated when the parts are remove from the  mold that do not show up until dirt get into them over time. Sometime crack can be created upon installation, again that don’t become visible right away. Your sink will not leak. RV are earthquakes running down the road and the moving may cause issues like this. Sorry you are having problem with my previous customers product.

I am asking him what he meant when he said "Your sink will not leak."  Since our old sink did start leaking through one of the cracks.

Thank you all!!!
2019 Mid Bath 27’
Bonnie & David Prouty
Full timing since August 2019 when we picked up the LD.
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #32 –
Most larger cities have shops that fabricate custom countertops, made out of different materials, including acrylic and man-made stone.
Might be better to find a shop with a good reputation and have one made.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #33 –
Before we replaced the sink with the one sent from Lazy Daze, we called a place who redid RVs. (I cannot remember the name of the company- might have been West Coast Custom Coachworks)   They said they would put in a Corian counter and it would cost $1500.
2019 Mid Bath 27’
Bonnie & David Prouty
Full timing since August 2019 when we picked up the LD.
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #34 –
How unfortunate it happened again. And during the pandemic our options in product is less each day,  with supply chain issues.  A stainless sink might be an option. This is a photo on the internet.

Nadine
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #35 –
Hi Bonnie;  Working with fiberglass resin requires care, and attention to detail. Room humidity, temperature of the mold, the resin, styrene monomer gel coat, air pressure for the 'chopper gun' are all critical. Cleanliness and freshness of chemicals is important, along with timing. If someone new to the process isn't fast enough, or mixes too much hardener (the catalyst), all kinds of things can negatively affect the end product.  Internal stresses caused by overheating of the chemical reaction can cause a 'sink/countertop' to look good after it cures, but still wouldn't age well. That is what this is sounding like to me. I still can't believe that your two sinks are the only ones affected, but maybe the hot/cold stresses are just the right aggravating factors for a poorly made (vendor) product.
    If you get the stainless sink insert (self rimming from the top) you just get a saber saw and cut out the old sink oval, the right size, in place. The whole counter top stays in place. A little filing and sanding and you glue (3M5200) the new sink in.   In extreme care, I would make a router guide of plywood and double stick tape it down, and use that to finish the hole to the right size. The plumbing underneath would have to change. The complicating factor might be the faucet, but with the pictures you provided, it  appears to not be in the way.  A bit messy, and exacting.  The end result would look good, be very durable, and it wouldn't happen again.    RonB
    Looking at your photo I wouldn't do anything until it gets worse, I really can't see the problem as it is now.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
 
Re: bathroom sink - cracks in the fiberglass
Reply #36 –
Bonnie, I am sorry for this problem that you are having.  I want to add that this thread has a lot of valuable information as to the situation with both sinks in the LD’s.  I was not comfortable with my ‘03 drain baskets because they showed aging and build up. I have replaced both in the kitchen sink, not without issues. 
 I would like to add my experiences in hoping to help others.
 First I want to say that it is really difficult to find a replacement Kitchen sink that will fit without modifications. I read about other’s experiences on this site and scoured companies that make sinks.  I couldn’t find one that would work for me. I would really have preferred one large sink as opposed to 2 small ones.  The area is tight and particular and I was afraid this was going to become a situation of one purchase after another one. Getting the old drain baskets out was a nightmare. In my case the metal was so fatigued that it broke while using a tool for removal. The left side was a little easier than the right side. I ended up with my new drain baskets and a few marks on the sink on the right. I fixed the boo boo’s in the sink from the underside and used some touch up paint to cover the blemishes that were made.  I am still not sure if I will change out the kitchen faucet. That idea is still on the drawing board.
  As far as my original sink in the bathroom— I took the P trap out and cleaned it up. I took out the old faucet. Replacing the drain basket was out of the question. I think I would have cracked the bathroom sink for sure. It is in perfect condition, the drain basket is showing signs of wear but I cleaned it up, in place, and replaced the faucet with the exact same style. There are only 2 holes in the fiberglass sink for the faucet replacement and it was not worth trying to drill a 3rd hole or inventing a new wheel.
  I am happy with my changes and my clean up and I understand my system better than ever....
 My feeling about my Lazy Daze is that it has held up very well for 18 years and I have to concede to most of the original designs because most are working. 
  The problems that these good folks are experiencing with their 2019 offers me an eye opener into another reason why I am happily repairing or satisfied with my 18 yr young LD and trying not to remove items that are in working order and only replacing what is a demanding need.
  I may change the Kitchen faucet out for a higher one which may or may not make washing dishes easier.
Mar
mar 🌴❤️🌺
Current 1 and only: 2003 LD Mid Bath 26.5
2017 Winnebago Minnie Winnie TT
2011 Dutchman Colorado 32' TT
2011 iCamp 14' TT
1985 Coachman Catalina 32' RV