Repairing Roof Rust Holes in a T1N Sprinter!

[@craigster1952]

I can give you good advice on working with fiberglass. There are a number of terms you need to know, starting with resin rich and resin poor. Resin poor is when the fiberglass does not contain enough resin, and will be weak and porous. Resin rich is when the polyester resin has oversaturated the glass. Over time resin rich will allow the material to crack. Ideally you want the resin to just fill the thickness of the fiberglass. Next up is my best advice for working out the proper ratios of glass to resin. First thing you need is a squeegee. The squeegee is used to wipe across the surface of the glass to move aside the excess resin. This takes technique. Too much pressure you might wind up resin poor , not enough pressure you might wind up resin rich. In order to make this process easy you need mat for strength and cloth to provide a working surface. You apply both at the same time and work out the excess resin and air bubbles with the squeegee. Lastly is my best advice for wetting the glass. Cut all your pieces in advance then tear away the cut edges of the mat. (you don't want well defined seams in the mat)youMakeresin the mat and lay it in place. Continue until you have laid all the mat in place. Place the dry cloth over the mat and press it in place. I like to use my bare hands, you get a feel for how much resin is actually there. Use the squeegee on top of the cloth to work the resin evenly throughout. If there are dry spots brush on a little more resin. Other tools and techniques are available but this is the most basic lesson on laying down fiberglass. Maybe some day I will do a youtube tutorial. If you want more info leave a message here and may be I'll respond.

[@phillanager6245]

Z1

[@ltmltm4945]

have you done the youtube tutorial, i'd love to see it.

[@nowuknowthis1903]

When they put the original seam seal on, it’s flexible polyurethane. Fiberglass is not flexible unless you get west marine flex fiber glass. It may work for a long time, but eventually the flexing will open a crack.

[@brianasamuels]

You discovered my secret. Fiberglass mat and por15 work beautiful together. No fiberglass resin needed! I have used it on multiple vehicles To repair rust. I live in Michigan and it has held up wonderfully.

[@artkrut4529]

Do you just use Por-15 as fiberglass resin?

[@brianasamuels]

@@artkrut4529 yes

[@eileenralston3832]

Coming right along! Good job Anna! You go girl!!❤

[@RyanDoppelheuer]

Hey guys I have this same issue on my sprinter. How have your roof seams held up since you did this repair?

[@petercrockett1801]

Hi! Great videos, I have a T1N Mercedes sprinter MWB and I remember watching one of your videos (i cant remember which one) and you showed where you drilled holes to let water escape to prevent water sitting in the body and causing rust. Could you point me to that video/ show me with pictures where the best places to drill are. Thanks Peter

[@artkrut4529]

Would like to see that too if possible

[@ltmltm4945]

what are you spraying @11:27

[@thecurliemom]

How can I get in touch with Florida Van man? My husband and I are converting our t1n Sprinter now. We wanted to see if you guys have any idea or know of whwre we can find a passenger seat + base for our little one and wharwould be the best way of installing it?

[@FloridaVanMan]

To open a one-on-one conversation send a small donation with a note. venmo.com - @FloridaVanMan cash.app/login - $FloridaVanMan www.zellepay.com - FloridaVanMan www.paypal.com/paypalme/FloridaVanMan

[@svankley]

Does anyone know what kind of fold-up shelf it was in that van? It looks really sturdy.

[@FloridaVanMan]

They are a standard FedEx option and they are indeed very sturdy. I can sit on them but they are too narrow and sit too far off the walls to use as a bed. When they fold up to the wall they don't have space for the mattress, so we have a couple removed sets just sitting outside.

[@southtrunk]

what is the sanding attachment? is it a flap wheel?

[@FloridaVanMan]

The paint and rust stripping wheel is the first link in the video descriptions. Please see our links for all the tools and parts we use in our videos. Clicking on the links, even if you don't buy, helps our channel stats. Please have a second look and click a few. Thank you.

[@paulkenna9687]

Can you paint directly to the resin?

[@FloridaVanMan]

She did, though I'm not sure it was a good idea.

[@paulkenna9687]

@@FloridaVanMan any leaks since? 2 years since posting the video

[@FloridaVanMan]

@@paulkenna9687 No leaks. Some purple peeled off the POR15 and fiberglass but no leaks. I think she rushed the job, didn't let the POR 15 cure before painting. And that led to paint peeling. But it is only on the roof so not seen.

[@michaelfuller2378]

Great job!

[@daveydave9884]

My favorite video 😆

[@mikejohnson7768]

Me approved for sure!

[@charliemccormick8247]

why would't you just weld up the holes?

[@FloridaVanMan]

Lack of skills, tools and knowledge. If you can show us how to do it right we'll make you famous (LOL ...in a limited way but it is very enjoyable). I have a van in need of this same repair and I would love to have someone show me how to do it right and share the knowledge with our viewers. Bring your Sprinter and teach me what you know. I'll teach you what I know and we'll have some fun on camera.

[@koljan3668]

Easy fix for the rusted sims: patching with a roof sealant like leak seal from rust oleum, has been applied 2 years ago on my sprinter,no leaks, any repairs done previously was leaking after a while nobody can see this ugly repair on the roof .

[@bigdog4574]

why use fiberglass? should've just used Bondo filler.... easy to fill big holes, smooth out, stick to metal well, will leave nice hard surface that will pick up paint well.

[@FloridaVanMan]

Fiberglass did the same in our experience, and we prefer the resin with it.

[@TheMajictech]

Yep, bondo and paint makes a rig what it ain’t

[@Simonofcalifornia]

Bondo, primer, and paint.

[@nescifu1845]

No bondo on a roof. No flexibility

[@quayron2138]

@@nescifu1845 then what it is?

[@dawa8746]

Cute, but just because you're grinding at an angle doesn't mean that's an angle grinder. It's a drill.

[@FloridaVanMan]

LOL, you're not wrong. She also used a wire brush on a drill, but you'll see that drill and brush laying on the roof while using the angle grinder.

[@nescifu1845]

Why Expose your skin to all these chemicals. It is so easy to get permanent skin damage...it wont be sexy... if it was ever sexy NOT to protect yourself.... Come-on Those Dudes know whats right for her. Good job nonetheless I have to Sprinter...Love'm