Hi Folks
I need to replace the rear nearside awning rail and it is bonded has anyone removed one. I need some advice on how to get this off without damaging the van. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Somebody has probably used Sikaflex on it.
A BAD idea.
Use a snap off blade type stanley knife and a couple of wooden wedges and moves slowly along the rail.
or get a new rail then you can use a lot more force.
Its almost impossible to straighten a bent rail without it looking terrible as it stretches the metal.
Hi Folks
Its the orginal rail it is a Coachman with Bonded Construction. I caught the back corner reversing so needs an awning rail toilet locker door and a slight repair to the rear corner.The rear corner has now been repaired by the local smart repairer for £150 I have a new awning rail and door on order another £140 so all in the repair including the adhesive has cost less than my excess.
My only concern with the job is how to remove the awning rail without damaging the paintwork any help would be very much appreciated.
You mean this is a modern caravan with rail glued on with no screws, yes? As suggested the rail could be removed using cheese wire or possibly thin nylon cord might be better? Wear thick gloves gloves as some force pulling away from body would be needed to avoid damage to paintwork. If you can lift the first bit away to get wire or string underneath then with assistant pulling rail it should gradually come away without damage to paint.
I was visiting a customer recently who had a caravan in for repair with damage to almost the whole length of the van where the panel was distorted due to someone who had tried to remove the rail, they probably used too much force so take your time and be careful
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
The wire system of removal will probably be best - this is used to remove damaged car windscreens that are also bonded in today, using a sawing back and forth motion
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Topic: Bonded Awning Rail Removal
