|
04-23-2014, 08:55 PM
|
#1
|
4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
ottawa (greely)
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 390
|
How to remove Vulkem caulking
What's the best way to remove vulkem caulking , on a newer airstream, I'm going to do some maintenance and want to remove some of the old vulkem caulking that was put on sloppy at the factory , also how do you seal buck rivets from the outside so that it looks good and what product do you use?
Thanks
Don
__________________
2012 silverado ext cab 4x4 ,5.3 L , 6 speed trans,3:42 final drive,tow package standard box 6 1/2 foot . 2014 honda forza 300 scooter, #2 2015 honda crf 250 L (Dual sport)
|
|
|
04-23-2014, 09:03 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Dig out as much Vulkem as you can with a plastic tool, then use brake cleaner to cut the residual. Brake cleaner won't harm paint. Use Captain Tolley's Creaping Crack Cure to seal rivets. Order up an oral irrigation syringe to apply Tolley's...it is much more precise that way...out of the bottle is a mess.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-23-2014, 09:08 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
1963 26' Overlander
Hollis
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,647
|
I have good luck using Citrastrip and covering it with plastic, leave overnight.
Sealing buck rivets, I love Captain Tolleys creeping crack cure. Almost invisible and you can tell which rivets are leaking because it "sucks in". Keep applying at intervals til it doesn't! The stuff is tough too, I had some drip, didn't notice before it dried....and it took serious compounding to polish it off.
__________________
Shelly : TAC NH-6 | AIR 41359
Visit my blog!
Parts needed : Braund Antenna front tube fold down model!
|
|
|
04-23-2014, 09:12 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by reinergirl
I have good luck using Citrastrip and covering it with plastic, leave overnight.
Sealing buck rivets, I love Captain Tolleys creeping crack cure. Almost invisible and you can tell which rivets are leaking because it "sucks in". Keep applying at intervals til it doesn't! The stuff is tough too, I had some drip, didn't notice before it dried....and it took serious compounding to polish it off.
|
Although I haven't had to try it, the bottle says mineral spirits will remove dried Tolley's.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-24-2014, 04:50 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
|
I use a heat gun on a lower setting to soften the Vulkem, then a wooden or plastic scraper. I use sharpened popsicle sticks, tongue depressors or orange sticks (used for manicures). Mineral spirits will also help soften it and get the final residue off.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
|
|
|
04-24-2014, 05:01 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
|
All good tips, but a 2012 Airstream does not have Vulkem as a sealant, it has SikaFlex 221. From the Sika web site:
13) How do I remove / clean excess Sika products (cured or uncured)?
Product that has already cured must be removed mechanically with a razor blade, grinding wheel, etc. Several products such as Sika® Remover-208, Sika® Hand Cleaner towels, or mineral spirits remove uncured material the best. Alcohols should never be used around the bond area of cured or uncured material as they may inhibit or reverse the cure of Sikaflex® products.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
|
|
|
04-24-2014, 05:59 AM
|
#7
|
2 Rivet Member
1969 25' Tradewind
Ely
, Minnesota
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
|
Through research and after having used it the last few weeks, contractor grade "De-Solve-It" is my new best friend. Even removes cured silicone caulk although it still takes a bit of elbow grease with that one. ;-)
|
|
|
04-25-2014, 04:53 AM
|
#8
|
1 Rivet Member
1972 25' Tradewind
Leslie
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 18
|
Has anyone tried goof off?
Is there any type of stripper that is recommended to stay away from?
|
|
|
04-25-2014, 05:50 AM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
|
Is SikaFlex any different from Trempro (Vulkem) or other Polyurethanes? Airstream probably uses it because SilkaFlex had the lowest bid? The same solvents will remove them if they are the same basic formula. I have had to use paint remover to get really old caulk off my trailer vents on the roof. Usually a razor blade and being careful gets the job done. I use Gumout carb cleaner to clean up residues.
Perry
|
|
|
04-25-2014, 07:46 AM
|
#10
|
Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114
Is SikaFlex any different from Trempro (Vulkem) or other Polyurethanes? Airstream probably uses it because SilkaFlex had the lowest bid? The same solvents will remove them if they are the same basic formula. I have had to use paint remover to get really old caulk off my trailer vents on the roof. Usually a razor blade and being careful gets the job done. I use Gumout carb cleaner to clean up residues.
Perry
|
Slightly different formulation. I found the Sikaflex doesn't respond as well to heat removal as the Vulkem. We have used both at work over the years along with NP-1 from Sonneborn. One of the best tools I have come across so far for removing a variety of sealants are the Fein Supercut tools, they are expensive. Makita along with several others makes a similar tool at a lower price. Our Fein's are probably 10-12 years old and still going strong even after being used nearly daily. I suspect a Makita or Rockwell version that sells for about 1/4-1/8 the price of the Fein would work for a hobbyist/light duty use.
Aaron
__________________
....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #XXXX AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Caulking and Sealants (silicone, parbond, vulkem & more)
|
Chuck |
Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants |
266 |
07-01-2017 11:41 AM |
Vulkem 116 Caulking Vapor
|
ASNomads |
Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants |
6 |
07-08-2014 07:13 PM |
How to remove vulkem...
|
goshawks00 |
Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing |
4 |
10-15-2012 12:41 PM |
stripe eliminator to remove old vulkem
|
CampUnger |
General Repair Forum |
1 |
05-19-2012 10:05 PM |
74' Excella, to remove wiring or not to remove?
|
BaltiHimal |
Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar |
3 |
05-30-2010 10:23 AM |
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|