Composite Panel Repairs & Replacement
While travelling to your favourite holiday destinations or especially during long touring stints throughout Australian, your caravan or RV faces the relentless forces of nature—blazing sun, torrential rain, rugged terrains, and swirling debris. Over time, these elements can wear down your caravan’s exterior.
While it’s built to endure the harsh elements, the wear and tear of time can gradually take a toll on its exterior. This is where our “Composite Panel Repairs and Replacement” service comes into play. We’re dedicated to ensuring that your caravan remains in top condition, both in terms of aesthetics and structural integrity.
What Are Composite Panels
In the past 5-10 years, the most modern caravans and RVs have been made of composite ‘sandwich’ panels. The popularity of this method of construction is because of efficiency in the building phase and ease of maintenance for the vehicle owners, with durability and longevity of the exterior surface being the biggest advantage over caravans made of cladding or marine-grade wooden panels.
Composite Panel Engineering
This now extremely popular material in RV and caravan manufacture is engineered with multiple layers, which typically include:
Outer Sheet:
Crafted from robust materials like fibreglass, aluminium, reinforced thermoplastic, or plywood, the outer sheet acts as a protective shield against external elements.
Foam Core:
These sandwich panels, up to 40mm thick, consist of two outer fibreglass sheets bonded to a foam core. Nestled within is a foam core, often made of materials like extruded polystyrene (XPS) or expanded polystyrene (EPS). This core serves multiple purposes, offering insulation and structural support.
Reinforcements and Frames:
To bolster strength and rigidity, reinforcements and frames come into play. They can be constructed from a range of materials, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), aluminium, timber, or plywood.
Detailing and Maintaining Composite Panels
PVC, XPS or ACP Panels
Various profiles require different techniques and materials for maintenance and restoration. Professional exterior maintenance every few years is recommended to preserve their gloss and condition. Our cut & polish services and ceramic coating improve water runoff and protect against weather damage. Typically, these panels require a lighter cut & polish compared to gelcoat or other composites for restoration.
ACP panels, ranging from 3mm to 5mm thick, is increasingly used by manufacturers. Originally from signboards, it can be challenging to maintain. Satin & matte finishes are popular, but they are susceptible to faster UV damage as they are printed, not painted. Overusing cut & polishing can lead to delamination and quicker UV damage. Our polish & ceramic coating services enhance longevity, along with our expert maintenance advice.
Repairing Minor Imperfections
Our skilled technicians specialise in correcting minor blemishes, such as dents, scratches, and surface imperfections. These repairs focus on restoring your caravan’s aesthetics to their former glory. We take pride in our ability to match paint and finishes precisely, ensuring that the repaired area seamlessly blends with the rest of the exterior.
Evaluating Replacement Options
In cases of extensive damage or unavailability of replacement panels from manufacturers, our expert team can provide professional recommendations for replacement panels, taking into account both functionality and aesthetics.
The Cost-Effective Approach
When it comes to RV and caravan panel repairs, our team will assess the restoration work that is required and provide a quote for the best possible repair option. Typically, our composite panel repair services are a more budget-friendly option compared to full replacements. What’s more, the quality of our workmanship can yield results that rival or surpass the original appearance.
In situations where specific caravan panels are no longer available from manufacturers, our technicians will provide you with the best possible repair solution. We have more than a decade of experience in performing high-quality caravan and RV panel repairs, so no matter the recommended solution, you will know that you are working with a skilled team that can deliver exceptional results, even for complex repairs.
We Can Help You?
Whether you require minor touch-ups or complete panel replacements, our team is dedicated to ensuring that your caravan continues to be highly functional and will maintain the best possible resale value.
Contact us today for a free quote or to get help completing the repair under an insurance claim.