I have heat induced delam. The heating of the decals in the sun has compromised the glue under the fiberglass and it has bubbled out. This seems to be a common problem with 90s Fleetwood RVs. I see this delam in many RV for sale photos...in the same area as mine. Must have been a poor glue selection by Fleetwood.

I am planning to slit the bubble and re-bond the fiberglass to the substrate. I will paint the decals back on to cover any body work.

Has anyone done this and were you successfull? What adhesive did you use? I am thinking gorilla glue.

Cousin Eddy, Gorilla Glue will swell as it cures, you will have a permanent bubble on your motorhome. I would try to find some other glue for this job. Good Luck, Indiana Journey

what did you decide to do for your delam repair?

we are having similar issues with our 86.

Anyone know for sure what causes delam in older coaches ('90s)? I have heard:
1)heat from sitting in the sun too long,
2)water from rain or snowmelt getting into sidewall/roof seams,
3)lousy glue used in construction.

I can fix the first two, the third on would be a problem. I don't have any delam yet, would like to be sure I'm doing whatever I can to head it off.

Some delam is caused by moisture - water seeping in around windows or roof seals and down the wall weakening the glue bond. Other delam is caused by glue failure - some of the early 90's Fleetwoods (and some others as well) had problems with the glue bond loosening over time. Temperature changes - repeated, extreme heating and cooling cycles - is the most likely culprit behind the glue failure, though I'm not sure than anybody knows all the reasons it can happen.

Starting in thr late '80s and well into the 90's, Fleetwood had delaminations problems. It was often attributed to a bad glue or bad production practices. We had an '89 Pace Arrow and it was the leak queen. The front and rear roof to cap joints were a constant source of leaks and cause a lot of damage. I also pulled several windows that were leaking and had delamination around them and the problem was incorrect installation by Fleetwood. The problems with this coach was water intrusion due to poor construction.

Some friends have a 1998 Southwind and fleetwood had to take it back to the factory to repalce a side wall due to delamiantion before it was 2 years old. It is tored outside in central Texas and has other delamination spots developing.

Ken

Fleetwood finally cured that delam problem in the 2000 and up. First they eliminated the luan in the thermo wall. Then they started using some sort of fancy seal before they installed the windows and doors. Some of the Pace Arrows would delam close to the wheel wells as the well was not sealed and water entered the wall! Most repairs that do not involve removing part of the surface do not hold. If the delam was caused by water entering the wall any reglue will fail. Often the bubble is just the part you can see. There is more rot or delam under the bubble.