RV delamination is a serious structural problem where the layers of an RV’s exterior wall separate, creating air pockets that appear as bubbles or ripples.

In about 95% of cases, this issue arises from water intrusion, where moisture seeps through failed seals and dissolves the adhesives bonding the wall layers. Additionally, trapped water expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations, causing further separation, while manufacturing defects or physical impacts can also initiate delamination. It is crucial to repair delamination because it indicates internal failure that progressively worsens.

As the layers separate, the wall’s strength diminishes, potentially leading to sagging, wood rot, and mold growth that pose health risks. If ignored, the damage will escalate, reducing resale value significantly as visible delamination is a major concern for buyers.

Repairing involves locating the source of the leak; which sometimes is far from the first found damage.  All the damaged wood needs to be removed, the area dried, followed by replacing the wall panel and applying new fiberglass and filler, and sanding down to match the existing body lines.

Finally the repaired area is ready for priming, painting and clearcoating. Sufficient area beyond the repair is also included to ensure the result seamlessly blends the repaired section into the rest of the RV.