Airstream Sealant Kit

[davidrrand]

As a newbie here, I figured I should order some the sealants for the roof, seams, etc. for my AS. So I went to the online AS Store and bought their "kit" for this purpose. It included a can of Acryl-R, an applicator, one tube of Sikaflex 221 black and a tube of grey Adseal and white Adseal. Upon receipt, I was surprised to see that the Adseal is "100% Silicone".

I have read several of the threads on this site and generally I am reading that Silicone is not recommended for use on aluminum. Most indicate that urethane or polyurethane is a more appropriate choice.

Does anyone have comments or experience using this product, Adseal?

By the way, I put the Sikaflex to good use already filling up some of the gaps on the underbelly and the wheel liners to make it more rodent resistant. Thanks for your comments.

Dave

[Al and Missy]

here is what the ad says:

"365330-01 – 10 oz tube of AdSeal Premium Quality Sealant Adhesive – White. Use to seal all exterior roof components (on travel trailers with white roof sheets)". I presume they meant to say white sheet roofs, as in rubber. I didn't know Airstream made any like that, but they must have.

Thanks for the notice! I bought the kit too. I haven't used the white. I guess you could use it to seal penetrations in the frame or belly pan where wires, water, or propane lines go.


Al

[AWCHIEF]

The silicone use these days is not the same formulation as the old stuff. My biggest issue with using silicone is that it can be so darn hard to remove. At the International I ask one of the techs from Airstream about the kit. He told me it contained the same compounds used at the factory service center and contained no chemicals hazardous to our precious Airstreams. At his recommendation I also picked up the kit. Now to get motivated and apply it. But not until the weather cools down. 99 today outside, 115 in the trailer until I fired up the AC for a while. With the discounted prices and no overpriced shipping charges I spent way too much money in the Airstream Store tent in Lewisburg.

[lewster]

The biggest problem with ANY silicone is the recoat issue........ NOTHING STICKS TO IT if you have to reseal ......... EVER!!!!!!

And there is ALWAYS a residue remaining when you try to remove it.

After 16 years of sealing RV roofs and even replacing them, I'll stick ( pun intended) with what I KNOW works.......... POLYURETHANE and silane terminated polymers.

Don't complain when it fails.

[davidrrand]

Originally Posted by lewster

The biggest problem with ANY silicone is the recoat issue........ NOTHING STICKS TO IT if you have to reseal ......... EVER!!!!!!

And there is ALWAYS a residue remaining when you try to remove it.

After 16 years of sealing RV roofs and even replacing them, I'll stick ( pun intended) with what I KNOW works.......... POLYURETHANE and silane terminated polymers.

Don't complain when it fails.

Well, that's all I need to know then. Will not be using it on my AS and go with polyurethane. Hope AS did not use on the original application, though, or I am screwed........

Thanks all for your comments.

Dave

[GenXair]

Lew, what brand do you use?

[lewster]

SikaFlex 221 for most bonding and Alpha Sealants 1021 for self-leveling applications.

[rodsterinfl]

I read an article about sealants, surfaces and maintenance some time ago. I used a product around my skylight and around the fan areas called Sika Multi-Seal Plus. It was a tape, suggested for all roof types including metal. It was easy to use and has a long warranty and smooth surface.

[rodsterinfl]

This week has been a killer, nothing done and lots of questions unanswered. I can post on this topic after spending 2 full days speaking with three product specialists on sealants from Sika Alpha and Tremco and have at least learned about sealants during my multi-tasking venture. I had to wait on Sika for a specialist to call but I can confidentially share that 505UV is for external use, seams like rub rail, etc. I purchased 221 and returned it as he said it was not for use in sun or really outdoor environments that 505 UV was designed for that. Ok well good luck finding 505UV gray. That led me to Alpha and Trempro. Alpha has a product called Superflex non sag in gray but their gray is almost white in color. They also have a UV roof stuff. Trempro 635 is UV rated and their gray is darker- a better match. I scraped all my old sealant at the top of the rub rail and am doing a bead like Vinny in California. It is very noticeable but protective. The problem is that I started already using the Alpha product and it looks white next to the trailer body. The color does matter. Also the Sika specialist recommended 505UV or Sika Multi-Seal Plus tape for roof work. I have the tape and it is great for around vents, etc. After speaking with these people I question Airstream and other companies even in the Marine world recommending indoor sealants on their outdoor products and, how many of you remember hearing to never use Silicone on our trailers? Yet, what is Adseal? Silicone! My thought is that there has been a shift to what is cheaper and more readily accessible rather than what is best to use. I will say that the Sika tape is great for the roof.