RV Fiberglass Repair
Why Fiberglass Damage Shouldn't Wait
An RV wall is built in layers: a fiberglass skin on the outside, framing and insulation in the middle, and a finished wall inside. When the outer skin cracks or starts separating, water gets into the gap. In a climate as wet as Washington’s, that water can rot the frame and ruin large sections of wall in a season or two. The longer it sits, the more involved the repair becomes.
If you notice bubbling, waves, or soft spots when you press on the wall — or any visible cracks, even small ones — have it inspected. A quick look now can save you a much larger repair later.
What We Repair
- Cracks — around windows, doors, and corners, or from road debris and branches
- Separation and soft spots — when the outer skin starts pulling away from the wall
- Holes and punctures — from collisions, animals, or storage accidents
- Front and rear cap damage — these take the most impact and sun exposure
- Water damage — including replacing the wet, rotted material inside the wall
- Gel coat cracks and chips — in the shiny outer layer
- Slide-out repairs — these have extra stress points that need careful work
- Roof-to-wall seam leaks — a common spot for water to get in
What to Expect
- Inspection and estimate. We look over the damage and give you a written estimate. If you’re filing an insurance claim, we document everything your adjuster needs.
- Prep. Solid prep is what makes a repair last. We sand, prime, and carefully cover your windows, vents, and awnings.
- Color matching. We pull your factory paint code when it’s available, then verify it against your actual finish, since paint shifts as it ages in the sun.
- Paint. Everything is applied in our clean, temperature-controlled booth.
- Blending. We feather the new paint into the surrounding panels so there’s no hard edge.
- Final check. We inspect the finish under different lighting before you pick it up.
How We Do It
Real fiberglass repair is more than filler smeared into a crack. Done right, it goes like this:
- Assess the damage. What’s visible is usually only part of the problem, so we check how far it actually goes.
- Test for moisture. We use a moisture meter to map any hidden water before opening anything up.
- Repair what’s underneath. If the framing or insulation inside is wet or rotted, we replace it first. Skipping this step is why some repairs fail before long.
- Rebuild the fiberglass. We build it back up in layers to restore real strength, not just appearance.
- Smooth and prep. We sand it flush and prepare the surface for paint.
- Paint and match. The repair is finished to blend with the rest of your RV.
This is where having a full paint booth matters — finishing fiberglass properly takes the same color-matching skill as a paint repair.
Separation and Soft Spots
The most common fiberglass problem is when the outer skin separates from the wall behind it. You’ll see it as waves, bubbles, or soft areas, usually along the sides. It’s almost always caused by water that got in through a failed seam, a cracked window seal, or a roof leak.
Smaller areas can sometimes be re-bonded. Larger ones need the outer skin removed, the wet material replaced, and the wall rebuilt. We’ll tell you honestly which approach your RV needs — sometimes a partial repair is the right call, and sometimes the damage has gone too far for that to make sense.
Common Questions
How can I tell if my RV has water damage?
Press on the wall. If it feels soft or spongy, or you can see it flex, water has likely gotten in. Other signs include stains on the interior walls, a musty smell, bubbling in the outer wall, or decals lifting at the edges. We can also confirm it with a moisture meter.
Can you just seal a crack instead of repairing it?
Sealing a crack with caulk is a temporary fix at best. The crack keeps flexing and the seal eventually fails. A proper repair means cleaning it out, rebuilding the fiberglass, and refinishing — that’s what restores both strength and a watertight seal.
Will insurance cover it?
If the damage came from a collision or covered event, yes. Slow leaks and normal wear usually aren’t covered. We work with all the major carriers and help with the claim.
How long does it take?
It depends on how far the damage has spread. We’ll give you a clear timeline when we provide your estimate.
Will the repair be visible?
No. When it’s repaired properly and painted to match, it blends in with the rest of your RV.
Can you repair the front or rear cap?
Yes, we handle those regularly. If a cap is severely damaged, replacing it is sometimes the better option than repairing it — we’ll give you both choices.
Which location should I go to?
Whichever is closest — Kent, Everett, or Mt. Vernon. All three handle this work.
Three Locations Across Washington
With collision centers in three locations, there’s likely one near you:
- Kent — serving Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Tukwila, Burien, Des Moines, Auburn, and Federal Way
- Everett — serving Lynnwood, Edmonds, Bothell, Marysville, Mukilteo, and Snohomish
- Mt. Vernon — serving Bellingham, Burlington, Anacortes, Stanwood, and Skagit Valley
RV owners also travel to us from Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, and the Olympic Peninsula.
Everett
12218 Highway 99 S
Everett, WA 98204
1-888-960-9629
Mt. Vernon
510 Eleanor Lane
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
866-706-1274
Kent
23031 Military RD. S.
Kent, WA 98032
1-888-960-0627
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Why Choose Poulsbo RV?
With convenient service centers, expert service RV technicians, and a knowledgeable support staff, you’re never alone on the road when you’re part of the Poulsbo RV family.
We serve RV owners throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond — including Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Kent, Olympia, Sumner, and Mount Vernon.
