How do you fix a hole in a motorhome?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 26/09/2023 | Next review date: 26/09/2025
close

Author bio


Elaine Knight
View More north_east

In this blog post, we will answer the following question: How do you fix a hole in a motorhome? We will explain how you can repair and cover a hole in a motorhome, but also how to repair and renovate different degrees of damage to your motorhome’s bodywork. 

How do you fix a hole in a motorhome?

Depending on the degree of impact, it is possible to fix a hole in the motorhome’s bodywork by yourself or at an authorised mechanic shop. The crack must be repaired as soon as possible so that it does not cause irreversible damage and does not allow water to leak into your recreational vehicle.

To repair a superficial hole in the motorhome bodywork, proceed as follows:

  1. Clean the area to be repaired with soap;
  2. Dry with a microfibre cloth;
  3. Sand with fine grit paper;
  4. Clean with a degreaser such as 90 ° alcohol;
  5. Apply polyester resin, PVC repair resin or polyurethane sealant 410;
  6. Leave to dry as indicated on the product instructions;
  7. Once dry, buff the surface with fine-grain paper;
  8. Apply a waterproofing gel coat like Arcathan;

Note: You can buy ready-to-use motorhome repair kits in specialized stores or on the internet.

To repair a deeper crack in the motorhome bodywork, the procedure is more complex than for a simple hole. We advise you to call in a professional who can repair and restore the body of your vehicle to like new condition.

If you are a handyman and have the necessary tools at home, you can try this repair on your own. To do the repair you will need:

To repair the hole in the body of the motorhome, proceed as follows:

  1. Clean the surface thoroughly to remove all stains and grease.
  2. Draw a perfect square or rectangle on the vehicle body around the impact. Make sure you have a perfect right angle. Note the ribs to be able to reproduce this figure on the new polyester.
  3. With the milling machine, cut out the figure you have drawn.
  4. Cut the figure you just removed from the piece of new polyester, removing 1 mm on each side.
  5. Apply epoxy glue to the entire surface to be covered.
  6. Apply the piece of new polyester to the glue. Hold the piece in place while it dries.
  7. Leave to dry.
  8. Apply a polyester putty to the outline to fill the holes.
  9. Leave to harden for the time indicated.
  10. Sand with fine-grit paper to smooth the surface.
  11. Clean and apply a finishing putty.
  12. If necessary paint the area with special paint for motorhome bodywork.

How do you fix a hole in a camper canvas?

A pop-up camper can help provide an easy and fun camping experience. They are often durable and easy to set up and clean. However, there’s nothing funny about a pop-up camper with a tear in the canvas. 

A tear in your pop-up camper leaves you vulnerable to bugs and rainwater. To avoid sleeping in wet conditions with lots of mosquitoes, keep your RV in good condition. Fortunately, fixing a tear in the canvas of a pop-up camper is a simple process. All you need is a tent repair kit and two hours.

  1. Remove the canvas and place the canvas on a work table. Spread the canvas so that it extends across the surface of the table. You want to place the tear so that it can be easily sewn together. Clean the area with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.
  1. Sew the tear in the canvas with the needle and thread from the repair kit. Start at the top of the tear and sew the flaps together as you move down. Keep your points no more than 1/3 of an inch apart.
  1. Cut a patch large enough to cover the tear from the nylon material in the repair kit. The nylon patch should cover the sewn tear at least 1 1/2 inches on all sides.
  1. Apply the canvas adhesive from the repair kit to the nylon patch. Distribute the cement evenly over the entire surface of the patch.
  1. Place the patch directly over the sewn tear. Apply pressure to the patch for about 30 seconds.
  1. Allow the canvas to sit on the work table for at least two hours while the concrete canvas.

How to fix a hole in the aluminum siding of a motorhome?

Aluminum is a flexible metal in the field of transport. Its characteristics, especially low density and corrosion resistance make it a popular and useful material. Aluminum is also 100% recyclable and can easily be repaired. If you want to fix your aluminum siding or repair your aluminum RV, you may know how to fix the holes in the aluminum.

  1. Clean the area around the hole in the aluminum with a sponge dipped in water mixed with liquid detergent. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove detergent, dirt and debris. If the hole has pieces of aluminum lifted around it, like the shutters, press them down to cover part of the hole to minimize damage; if the shutters are badly damaged or uneven, it is best to remove them with tin snips or a similar tool.
  1. Mix the epoxy according to package directions. Stir the mixture with a putty knife. Apply the epoxy mixture to the hole, precisely covering it as transparently as possible. Allow the epoxy to dry, harden, and cure thoroughly for at least an hour.
  1. Apply the epoxy mixture to the hole, precisely covering it as transparent as possible. Use the putty knife to pry the epoxy off the surface of the aluminum. Allow the epoxy to dry, harden, and cure thoroughly for at least an hour.
  1. Treat the damaged area and surrounding area with fine-grit sandpaper.

RV siding and shutters for pots and pans, aluminum has a multitude of uses in and around the house. While versatile, aluminum is relatively flexible and easily susceptible to damage on impact, as well as from exposure to the elements. 

Unprotected aluminum oxide, leaving an unsightly chalky appearance. Severely damaged aluminum may require professional replacement. You can do small repairs and generally restore aluminum surfaces with a few heavy-duty cleaning.

Here’s how you replace small coating areas of RV aluminum siding:

  1. Put on work gloves. Using tin snips to cut out a piece of siding 3 to 4 inches larger than the damaged area. Cut an inconspicuous area such as down the side of the building. You can also check if your installer left any extra panels.
  1. Cut away the damaged aluminum with a utility knife.
  1. Replace the damaged aluminum with the newly cut piece. Butter the back of the piece with polyurethane sealant and slide it into place. Allow the time specified by the sealant manufacturer to dry.
  2. Wait until the aluminum is completely dry before priming.
  1. Apply a high quality, oil-based, rust-proof metal primer and allow it to dry for the time specified by the manufacturer.
  1. Paint the aluminum with a high-quality acrylic latex exterior paint. Allow the first coat to completely dry before applying a second coat.

For best results, paint aluminum on a cool, cloudy day. Strong sunlight and high temperatures slow down the drying time. If you are painting an object that can be transported, such as an aluminum siding panel, consider having it done for an auto body.

Conclusions

Fixing a hole in your motorhome is not the easiest job to do. But the most important thing is to act as quickly as possible. A hole in the motorhome will cause you more issues, such as water leaks and mould. 

Please feel free to get in contact should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on how to fix a hole in a motorhome. 

FAQ on How do you fix a hole in a motorhome?

Can you patch holes in aluminum siding?

Yes, you can patch holes in aluminium siding. Depending on the size of the hole, you can sand and paint over it, or you may need to replace the whole thing!

How to fix a hole in a canvas?

Here’s how to fix a hole in a canvas:

  1. You must first take care of the REAR PART of the tear.
  2. Clean the surfaces to be glued by removing dust.
  3. Using a brush, paste the contours of the tear on a surface equal to the strip you are going to position.
  4. Lay the fabric strip to cover the tear.

How do you repair a tear in a pop-up canvas?

To repair a tear in a pop-up canvas, you can use a simple repair kit. Please review our articles for more information and a step-by-step guide. 

How do you fix a hole in aluminum siding in an RV?

How you fix a hole in aluminium siding in an RV will depend on the severity of the damage. To repair a small scratch in an aluminum siding, all you need to do is:

  1. Sand;
  2. Apply a metallic primer;
  3. Brush a dab of the corresponding acrylic latex paint.

References

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!