Caulking?

[DJL1967]

I am starting to winterize my 28DSBH and have noticed some areas along the corners of the exterior walls that could use some caulking. What kind do most people use? I did the roof with self levelling already.
Thanks.

[nbhybrid]

Butyl tape

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

Butyl tape

+1 for the corners. BTW, loosing a good seal in the corners is what my nightmares are made of, it seems so hard to inspect them visually.

Proflex RV caulk is what I will use for all other vertical sealing needs (around lights, etc...)

http://www.amazon.com/Geocel-28101V-...=proflex+caulk

[SkyBound]

When you guys are re-doing the self leveling sealant on the roof, are you just slopping more on top of what's already there? Or do you remove the old stuff first?

[nbhybrid]

depends on how bad it is...any loose or protruding pieces should get cleaned off

[SkyBound]

Right, but it just seems like the old stuff would pile up and cause pooling water, and look ridiculous with layer upon layer. I've heard some people re-do theirs every year but what's the point if the old stuff from a year or two ago still looks new?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

When you guys are re-doing the self leveling sealant on the roof, are you just slopping more on top of what's already there? Or do you remove the old stuff first?

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

depends on how bad it is...any loose or protruding pieces should get cleaned off

Also, if you're going to leave the old sealant there (mostly this is the case) make sure you clean the surface of the old sealant before you put new sealant on top of it. I believe most manufacturers recommend Mineral Spirits to clean off the surface of the old Lap Sealant, but be sure you keep it off the roof membrane, the mineral spirits will ruin the membrane. Use a towel to apply it carefully, and make sure you don't set the can of spirits directly on the membrane or spill it. Be VERY careful.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Right, but it just seems like the old stuff would pile up and cause pooling water, and look ridiculous with layer upon layer. I've heard some people re-do theirs every year but what's the point if the old stuff from a year or two ago still looks new?

It's really not that bad. You're not talking about gobs of the stuff, just enough to cover up any cracks in the original sealant. And it's not a fashion show up there, you need it to perform its job, it doesn't necessarily have to look good doing it. IMHO, all that lap sealant looks like crap, but I guess if it works, it works...

Of course, if the old sealant is not wearing well, it needs to go. In that situation (if a lot of the sealant needs to be replaced) I would look into an Eternabond treatment.

I would actually prefer to see some applications of new sealant on a roof, it would indicate to me the previous owner was up there preventing problems and inspecting.

[Camper_bob]

Here's a good tutorial about touching up roof sealant. Manufacturer recommendations for which brand/type of lap sealant may differ based on which roof material you have. Example: I have Alpha Ply roof membrane, they want you to use a different lap sealant than Dicor...

http://youtu.be/dsCoHAqKO9Q

[Nighthawk 96]

I just replaced my bathroom fan with a Fantastic Vent fan. It is just about impossible to get all the old caulk off. Also some of the butyl tape will remain.

Get most of the old caulk and tape off, smooth off the tape. Clean area with denatured alcohol. Install new fan with new tape on it, screw to roof and caulk.

I used Dicor II self leveling. They have several videos on youtube.

One video shows filling in gaps in old caulk with new caulk.

[spoon059]

If you are referring to the roof edge where the rubber roof transitions to siding, I would suggest Eternabond tape. Clean the roof/wall thoroughly and use a roller to properly install the Eternabond tape and you will never have to caulk again.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by DJL1967

snip......the exterior walls that could use some caulking. What kind do most people use? .........snip

I use Dicor, available at most RV dealers and some big box stores.

For reference, there are two types of Dicor Sealants most commonly used with RV's; #501-LSW self leveling for horizontal surfaces, and #551-LSW non-sag for vertical surfaces.

https://dicorproducts.com/catalog/ro...-lap-sealants/

Bob

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I use Dicor, available at most RV dealers and some big box stores.

For reference, there are two types of Dicor Sealants most commonly used with RV's; #501-LSW self leveling for horizontal surfaces, and #551-LSW non-sag for vertical surfaces.

https://dicorproducts.com/catalog/ro...-lap-sealants/

Bob

+1 dicor is great as well. I just find I never use enough of it and the tube just goes to waste.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

snip.....I just find I never use enough of it and the tube just goes to waste.

True....., but I have 4 BIL's w/RV's that seem to "borrow" a lot of my RV stuff so a tube won't go to total waste during a camping season

My TT has a nice large outside storage compartment located on the slide, keep most of my RV spare parts and stuff there (tools in pass thru), so family camping gatherings are usually a PM opportunity for my BIL's. Always something to "fix".

Bob

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

+1 dicor is great as well. I just find I never use enough of it and the tube just goes to waste.

I have a mostly full tube sitting on the shelf in my garage. I used very little of it for my spring inspection in February or March. I often wonder if I'll be able to use that tube again? If not, oh well, it's not THAT expensive to get a new tube once or twice a year. But it feels wasteful to just discard a basically full tube of Dicor...

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Isnip...... I often wonder if I'll be able to use that tube again?....snip

Maybe, as long as it was kept at room temperature and the tip was sealed tight. I can normally get a couple seasons out of tube if the tip seal did it's job.

Bob

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Maybe, as long as it was kept at room temperature and the tip was sealed tight. I can normally get a couple seasons out of tube if the tip seal did it's job.

Bob

Well, in that case, it's probably gonezo. It gets upwards of 120* or more in my garage in the summer, and I just let what was in the tip dry up. I didn't even bother trying to seal it.

Lesson learned, I'll try to seal it up tight next time and store it in the house from now on...

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

...I'll try to seal it up tight next time and store it in the house from now on...

Haven't had to try it with DICOR yet, but in general I've found that a piece of duct tape, something we probably all carry, wrapped tightly around the tip of the tube works very well as a seal. I've tried the caps that sometimes come with tubes and haven't had much luck with them

[nbhybrid]

I have never had any luck with open tubes of anything

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

I have never had any luck with open tubes of anything

That's pretty much been my experience!