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Topic: Shower base light cracks around slight dents. (Read 199 times) previous topic - next topic
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Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Hi, I'm a new owner. doing some minor repairs & noticed the shower pan has some heel sized dents that depress slightly when pressed on, with slight cracks around them. I don't think the cracks go right through  but I want to reinforce the floor & repaint it. I was thinking of fiber glassing & Bondo to strengthen, any thoughts would be appreciated.  
1997 31' Twin Bed
Re: Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Reply #1 –
Welcome to the group.  Can you post pictures?   what year and model do you have?
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Reply #2 –
I don't know how to post a pic here
1997 31' Twin Bed
Re: Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Reply #5 –
First - let us know the year and model of your LD.    You can add this to your signature as well as put it in your profile.

I suggest first confirming what is going on with rhe dents - just because they are larger (heel size bit pinky finger tip size).
You want to.confirm if there is any structural support issues under the shower pan that need to be fixed. 
You might be able to see from under the shower to confirm the support wood / structure is good (no wood rot).  Figuring about where it is and looking for the shower p-trap (search for this on the internet) can help you find that structure under the shower.  Letting us know your LD year and model can allow others to give you other orientation points to find the shower support (there are differences both across the models and over the years).

Once you have corrected any substructure problems, you can fill the dents and scratches with “putty” - in this case will likely be an epoxy.  JB-Weld makes some great products for water situations (including one that cures while underwater - not needed inns this case).  Get one that matches your shower pan material - most manufacturers have support lines for the general public and will advise you of what works best.  The ones I have used are sandable.

When it is smooth paint with a paint made for showers (typically epoxy ones), Home Depot and Lowes typically carry these.
Follow the instructions carefully.
Make sure your shower head will not allow a one drop drip onto your freshly painted shower or that indentation will be there forever - even if you are the only one that can see it.  Ask how I know😏.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Marti and Michael  - 
Hi, I'm a new owner. doing some minor repairs & noticed the shower pan has some heel sized dents that depress slightly when pressed on, with slight cracks around them. I don't think the cracks go right through  but I want to reinforce the floor & repaint it. I was thinking of fiber glassing & Bondo to strengthen, any thoughts would be appreciated.  
It's a 1997 32 ft
1997 31' Twin Bed
Re: Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Reply #8 –
Hi Marti and Michael;  Welcome to our group.  The bottom of the shower should be self supporting. A one piece fiberglass construction done by a vendor for the LD company.  I can only surmise that there were bubbles of air in the base that have collapsed, cracking the surface gel coat.  I've never heard of anyone having this problem before, and I'm sorry that you have this issue.  The 30' models might have a way to get an endoscope underneath to see what is happening to the plywood base underneath. It could be oriented strand board (OSB) also.  If there is a thin area, or a damaged area underneath that is one issue.  If it is a gel coat issue, then I might (well I have some experience and practice here) dig out the 'soft area' down to good fiberglass and fill it with my favorite stuff Bondo. A general purpose car body filler.   https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/bondo-us/    Sand it down flush, and then paint with a general purpose tub cover paint.  Give it some texture also so it won't be as slippery.  Something like this:  https://www.lowes.com/pd/Tub-Guard-Restore-Anti-slip-White-Matte-Tub-and-tile-resurfacing-kit-Actual-Net-Contents-2/1003203594?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-pnt-_-ggl-_-PLA_PNT_219_Interior-Stain-Spray-Paint-_-1003203594-_-online-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=CjwKCAjw4c-ZBhAEEiwAZ105RcWht5dR7SemKJVTgpV-Bu3CnY6CYFyRSa0hdOwxmftiH1r4Ll-DZBoCwQgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds    A lot depends on what you are comfortable doing in the DIY world.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
 
Re: Shower base light cracks around slight dents.
Reply #9 –
If you want to add stiffness to the shower floor, one method is to drill up through the floor, from under the rig, just popping through the floor. and not into the bottom of the shower pan.
Next, inject closed-cell, spray-can insulating foam into the void between the floor and the bottom of the shower.
Once done, seal the new holes drilled through the floor with a polyurethane sealant/adhesive.
A closed-cell foam must be used to prevent moisture from getting trapped inside the foam.

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