[Tim]

There is no data that will ever find its way into the public domain. What is known based on discussions on this forum and in private discussions that in almost all instances Prevost stepped up and stood behind a considerable number percentagewise regarding the repair using the rivet process and strips to cover the vertical joints.

I think the widespread discussions served to notify people to have their skins checked if they had any doubt and once the repair process became well know a lot of coaches were repaired.

The advice to owners and potential owners remains the same in that if anyone owns or is considering a specifc XLII it should be taken to the nearest Prevost service center for an evaluation. Once complete the service center will forward the results to Prevost headquarters and if repairs are required Prevost will advise their level of participation in the cost of the repairs. The repair process will completely eliminate any further chance of delamination and seal and protect the coach from water penetration. When complete the coach repair is not visible unless someone specifically looks for it.

For those contemplating the purchase of the XLII it is strongly suggested if the coach does not have the repairs done, as evidenced by the vertical strips AND paperwork from Prevost, at the very least it should be inspected.

[Chris]

So is Prevost the ONLY qualified inspection source? Do they use specialized equipment or do they have a greater level skill to determine problems.

[Robert]

Prevost is the only one if you want them to possibly help pay for the repair. It is not warranty work it is all good will…So with that and the fact that Prevost has the experiance…at this point and time I would take it there…Could other shops do the repair, yes however not with the experiance…..

[Hugh]

Thanks Jeff, that info helps.

Do they pressurize the bus and bubble check the seams or just try to lift the panel edges? Don’t know the inspection process.

[Peter]

Prevost does pressurize the coach as part of the inspection process, but it involves more than just doing that.

One word of caution to anyone with an XLII………..I have seen an advertisement by a shop that claims the expertise to make skin repairs if needed. In the ad it indicates the technicians are “Prevost trained”. As relates to skin delamination repairs that is simply not true. The repair process and materials used are proprietary and the techniques used were developed by Prevost to insure the repair lasts the life of the coach with no further problems. Tom and I saw the process being done and it is complex, time consuming, requires special parts and highly trained technicians. If an owner or potential buyer has any questions or issues about the problem there is no place better trained or equipped than Prevost service centers to do a complete evaluation and repair if required. Do not be mislead by any company that claims they can do skin repairs to the quality level that Prevost can.

[Roy]

I can tell you that prevost is the only place to have the delam done or checked out, most coaches have had it done but if they are over ten years old prevost does not do good will for the fix , once it’s done it will never come loose again fiberglass panel on top or the stainless panels below windows , Have them checked out by Prevost

If it’s been done on the bottom it will have the panel strips on it and if done on top the rubber seal from panel to window will have black seka to replace the rubber gasket from window to panel which is nothing more than cosmetic on the outside that gasket does nothing expect let water run down the tube outside of window and not down the window it’s a tube open at top and bottom so water can run inside tube and not down the window

[Dick]

I have heard that only 25-30% of the coaches had this delamate problem. Is this correct?

Thanks,

Roy

[Archived]

I don’t know where you got that information or how accurate it is, but I don’t know how it would be accurately verified and at this point what the advantage to having the number would be.

You can see from the posts on the topic that we just don’t hear about it any more.

[Archived]

So, is Prevost adding hidden rivets to their new models as they are being built? Or did they just change the type of adhesive and improve the attachment process?

[Archived]

As near as I can tell the skins are being bonded in place and no rivets are required.

[Robert]

That would tend to make one think that either the original “Sikaflex” wasn’t strong enough or the application process of the members being bonded together was flawed. One possibility may be that the bonding surfaces were not prepared as well as they should have been on the coaches that have experienced delamination. My XLII is 13 years old and the panels are still very tight and have never been rebonded. Prevost have inspected the panels twice and the results have shown there are no issues with them. So, before you buy an XL series have Prevost inspect the panels. No guarantees but you may be fortunate enough to find a coach that may never have a delamination problem.

[Archived]

Here’s one of the many threads we’ve had on Delam.

Delamination

[Archived]

This may shine some light on what might be a cause for random panel failure. In one of the conversations with Prevost on cause when I had panel issues I remember talking about adhesives, drying / curing times

While attending the Prevost factory we were in the area where panels are put in place. Most all are lined up with jigs so installation and seam details remain the same. What is the not the same is temperature of the surroundings.

Prevost bus factory is very large and during their fall / winter inside building temp must be all over the dial.

I think in my opinion there is some concern and probably could make a pretty good case with the factory temp in the surroundings during these panel installs.

Quebec could get very cold so I’ll assume the factory temp was increased. But unless the bonding temp is constant adhesion would be inconsistent during building 2 1/2 buses per day, Prevost bus number built per day.

I know they changed adhesives a couple of times and at one point another manufacture. As part of the inspection done by Prevost if you claim loose panels some buses have it and other buses are fine. In a perfect world a summer built bus would be the best shell to own.

The above is just my opinion

[Jerry]

I think the best shell is one that Boater Al has owned and fixed everything!

[Archived]

Or Peters…and his is currently listed on the site.