Corner Cap Crack Repair November 11, 2019, 04:36:10 pm We’ve Owned our 2005 LD’s for 4 month now and couldn’t be happier with it. I did notice a horizontal crack developing on the passenger side cap( at the radius) adjacent to the passenger door. My main concern was the crack would increase possibly separating the cap. So, I drilled 1/16th inch holes at each end of the crack to to halt its spread. I then used a two part apoxy to seal the void and a little acetone to clean up the area. I found a touch up tube of paint for the Ford’s Oxford White(close enough match for me) on Amazon . I’ve attached a couple pictures depicting the crack and repair. 7 Likes
Re: Corner Cap Crack Reply #1 – November 11, 2019, 04:49:40 pm Looks good.Cracks in the front caps are not uncommon. Stop drilling the crack and then filling it with epoxy is a good repair method.I'm interested in the long term results of the epoxy repair, the crack may have relieved stress or be the result of flexing.If it cracks again, try a flexible white polyurethane, I use 3M 5200 FastCure for cap cracks..Larry 1 Likes
Re: Corner Cap Crack Reply #2 – November 11, 2019, 05:21:52 pm The two part epoxy hardens life a rock and I’m sure the crack will reappear, but maybe not so noticeable. I’m not familiar with the 3m product but it might have been a better choice if it is flexible. Thank you for the suggestion. 1 Likes
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #3 – November 11, 2019, 11:22:08 pm Quote from: Macmarty - November 11, 2019, 05:21:52 pmThe two part epoxy hardens life a rock and I’m sure the crack will reappear, but maybe not so noticeable. I’m not familiar with the 3m product but it might have been a better choice if it is flexible. Thank you for the suggestion.Thanks for posting the before and after photos, Mac. This kind of repair documentation really helps members who experience similar issues. And it appears you are pretty new here at LDOG. Welcome aboard!Chris 1 Likes
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #4 – November 12, 2019, 07:32:40 am Drilling holes in the ends of cracks will halt further cracking? If I remember right, (usually not), I thought the cracks on end caps of 2004-+++ yrs were protected from leaking. Or is filling in cracks for aesthetics? It looks really nice.
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #5 – November 12, 2019, 11:47:34 am Quote from: Robin B - November 12, 2019, 07:32:40 amDrilling holes in the ends of cracks will halt further cracking? If I remember right, (usually not), I thought the cracks on end caps of 2004-+++ yrs were protected from leaking. Or is filling in cracks for aesthetics? It looks really nice.Drilling small holes at the ends of a crack helps prevent the crack from spreading. "A method of stopping the growth of a crack in a piece of metal or transparent plastic by drilling a small hole at the end of the crack. The stresses are spread out all around the circumference of the hole rather than concentrated at the end of the crack."source: FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Airframe Handbook (FAA-H-8083-31)None of the caps are protected from leaking, the area under the caps is wood that has a coating (asphalt emulsion on the older models and polyurethane on the newer models) to help repeal water, I have seen both coatings fail and lift, allowing rot to form.Loose or crack end caps should be repaired and resealed ASAP to prevent future problems.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #6 – November 12, 2019, 12:18:12 pm "Loose or crack end caps should be repaired and resealed ASAP to prevent future problems."----Sealing 'cap wraps' as soon as any separation/lift is noticed is a critical job, not only to prevent leaks, but also because the longer the wrap or a section of it is left unattached, the greater the chance of it warping and twisting and becoming difficult, if not impossible, to re-seal.
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #7 – November 12, 2019, 02:00:16 pm For me it was mostly for aesthetics; the crack was becoming really noticeable. I originally thought the caps might be fiberglass or acrylic, but it seems the are painted ABS material.
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #8 – November 12, 2019, 03:09:27 pm Quote from: Macmarty - November 12, 2019, 02:00:16 pmFor me it was mostly for aesthetics; the crack was becoming really noticeable. I originally thought the caps might be fiberglass or acrylic, but it seems the are painted ABS material.An FYI for those repairing cap cracks in the future, plastic epoxy works better than standard epoxies on the caps.Amazon.com: J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Body Panel Adhesive and Gap Filler...Larry 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Corner Cap Crack Repair Reply #9 – November 12, 2019, 09:08:50 pm JB Weld makes a bunch of really great products. 1 Likes
Topic: Corner Cap Crack Repair (Read 379 times)
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Topic: Corner Cap Crack Repair (Read 379 times)
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