Engine cowling's top coating peeling off

[ymc9]

So I've received my finish kit, and there's the big engine cowling fiberglass part. The lower cowling has many places that seem to have been patched and sanded. For a few of these places, the top coating is cracking and peeling off.

Have you guys received anything like this? Is it easily fixable (maybe with resin)? I contacted Vans and haven't got a reply yet.

 

[lr172]

Poor bonding of the gel coat. Good likelihood that other areas will delaminate down the road. I would be chacking the bond on the whole part. I would be very concerned abnout using this part. They could have just spilled a little oil in that one area causing the problem or it could have been poor prep and the whole part is suspect. Difficult to tell which one it is. All of the patching points to a bigger issue. If the gel coat delams later, it will take the paint with it and your painter will likely say not my problem, defective structure. You cfould also sand off all the gel coat, but that adds a bunch of labor to your paint job, as they have to get it smooth again.

 

[penguin]

If that is the foam core then your cowl is not suitable for installation and should be replaced. Poor manufacturing quality.
Be firm and ask for a replacement.

 

[Bearman]

So I've received my finish kit, and there's the big engine cowling fiberglass part. The lower cowling has many places that seem to have been patched and sanded. For a few of these places, the top coating is cracking and peeling off.

Have you guys received anything like this? Is it easily fixable (maybe with resin)? I contacted Vans and haven't got a reply yet.

I installed Cool Mat inside my top and bottom cowling. It helps to keep as much heat off of the cowl as possible. I'm not saying that this was caused by non insulation but it helps prevent heat damage.

 

[Bearman]

I installed Cool Mat inside my top and bottom cowling. It helps to keep as much heat off of the cowl as possible. I'm not saying that this was caused by non insulation but it helps prevent heat damage.

Sorry, I just noticed that this was a new cowl. I would be getting a replacement as that is defective.

 

[thiggins]

Bad bond between the gel coat and the fiberglass. Yeah, bad manufacturing process, but it can be fixed without too much fuss. You can try getting it replaced, but they may say it's good enough to work with. Mine had "corrections" too, which end up covered anyway. You can apply epoxy, micro, filler...

 

[ymc9]

Thank you, guys. I'll wait and see what Vans says. Still waiting for their response.