Every bit the years laissez passer, I'm non the but ane to suffer signs of wear and tear; poor former Monty (our 1999 Ford Herald Squire 400E) is starting to feel his age, too. The latest indication was a couple of cracks across the washroom flooring.

Monty's washroom flooring is likewise the shower tray. Fortunately we don't use it for showering, and then nosotros didn't have to worry about water seeping through and rotting the framework beneath. However, inquiry showed that shower tray cracking is a common trouble, due to ageing plastic condign brittle, and inadequate underfloor support.

Farther research led u.s. to companies that specialise in replacing or repairing shower trays. We ruled out replacing ours, due to the expense and hassle. Having it repaired was an option; we were quoted from £350 for the job, which involved repairing the cracks and applying a polymer blanket.

Past chance, I establish a forum postal service on the subject; the author had repaired his own shower tray using products from Tubby Uk. He said that the job was easy plenty for anyone with some applied skills. The production used is a two-part epoxy-based coating, which is practical to baths or shower trays using a roller. I took a look at the Tubby UK website; it seemed like a suitable product and a chore that I could practise myself.

Products and preparation

I emailed Tubby UK and described our trouble; Grant Helm at the company quoted £57.62 for the Tubby kit, two tubes of filler and the postage. The kit also included the rollers and tray, dust masks, gloves, abrasive newspaper and masking tape.

We couldn't admission the area below the shower tray to put in the recommended extra back up, then Grant suggested applying a layer of glassfibre matting and resin over the tray to seal the cracks and provide a potent base. Then I'd have to put filler over the whole surface and sand it down, before applying the epoxy-based blanket.

I'd demand more than filler, which Tubby could supply; the new quote was £73.fifty, including £7.50 stamp. We bought a glassfibre kit from Halfords and ordered the Tubby products.

Before starting, I put on the latex gloves and a mask – both of which I wore throughout the process – and opened all the doors and windows to ventilate the area equally much as possible. I cleaned the shower tray and, afterward making sure it was totally dry out, I set virtually applying a layer of glassfibre matting and resin.

A resin to attempt

First I cut the sheets of matting to size and laid them in place, earlier mixing the resin. A given corporeality of hardener is stirred into the liquid resin, as per the recommended ratio. Once mixed information technology sets very fast, and so I prepared a little at a fourth dimension and applied it quickly, mixing more resin as I worked across the tray.

The resin is a thick, gloopy texture and I had to paint information technology on and work it into the matting evenly.

When the resin was completely dry, the floor felt very solid when pressed by hand but did creak and crack when we stepped on it; this is considering the resin is breakable.

The next job was to apply the P40 filler. This is intended to provide a suitable base for the epoxy coating, to give more than forcefulness to the tray and to fill up whatsoever gaps or cracks. As with the resin, hardener has to be mixed into the filler and applied in small quantities, using a spatula. I gave it a textured surface to emulate the original flooring.

Once the filler was dry out, I used the abrasive newspaper supplied to smooth off whatsoever rough areas, making sure to wear the dust mask provided. I and so had to clean the whole area thoroughly.

Next came the bit I'd been humble about: applying the epoxy coating. Just information technology was far easier than I'd imagined. I prepared the surface by wiping it with the provided adhesion promoter, and so mixed the two-part resin and rollered it on. When information technology was dry, I practical a 2nd coat.

The finishing bear upon, a couple of days subsequently, was to become circular all the edges with Sikaflex sealant.

Costs and materials

To repair your shower tray in the motorhome you will need to buy these materials: Tubby U.k. shower tray resurfacing kit £43, large P40 filler £xvi, a set of flexible spatulas £four, adhesion promoter £3, postage stamp £vii.50, David's Fastglas glassfibre kit (Halfords) £13. This all adds up to a grand total of: £86.50.

What a bargain!