Advice please!!!!

[tlynn87]

i have my airstream stripped down to the frame and ribs insulation and all. I was wanting to know while i have it apart should i remove the old vulkem around the windows and on each seam and replace it with new or should i just leave it and add more? Please help as i am under a time strain. thanks for your input!!

i have added some pictures of the existing vulkem

[perryg114]

That white stuff is not Vulkem. It is a oil based putty/caulk that AS used to seal the inside of the trailer. That panel has been replaced and Olympic (fancy pop rivets) were used to fasten the new panel. Those rivets have a habit of leaking especially if not installed properly. You can seal the seam with something like Parbond on the outside. It would not be a bad idea to seal from the inside since you have access. I have used Gumout and Clean Strip paint stripper with some success to get that stuff off. You need to get all traces of the white stuff off for new adhesive to stick. Wood chisles are good to get the bulk of the white stuff off before solvents. Just be careful not to gouge the metal too deeply. Light sanding as the final step and solvent washing after that is a good idea. Clean shinny oil free metal will make the best bond.

Perry

[tlynn87]

thanks for the fast response perry!! i was afraid you i would have to remove it all... well back to work i go on the AS

[perryg114]

What area are we talking about here. It is hard to tell which corner you are working in. I would seal all those rivets with new Vulkem. They look like a three pedal flower from the inside. Make sure you seal all of them. I would do a water intrusion test with a hose after sealing.

Perry

[Airtandem]

instead of the wood chisel, use a plastic putty knife that has been sharpened or do the same with a paint stir. These cam be kept sharp by using some coarse sand paper. For the sealant, I liked Acryl-R. Not only being silver in color, it also "flowed" into any voids in the seams.

[perryg114]

Acryl-R is fine on the outside seams. You can use it on the inside as a first coat but I would still use Vulkem over that on the inside. THe only thing I don't like about Acryl-R is that it costs a lot then you have to have a special applicator can so all told you are talking $100 just to get started. If you are taking years for a restoration then it is no big deal but if you are trying to actually use the trailer in your lifetime then I prefer a $10 tube of Parbond.

Perry

[wasagachris]

Originally Posted by perryg114

THe only thing I don't like about Acryl-R is that it costs a lot then you have to have a special applicator can so all told you are talking $100 just to get started.
Perry

Well gee it looks like the mothership is having a sale constantly then.
I bought a can w/special applicator for much less than $100. IIRC I paid something like $25 because they had opened up the can to test the applicator. The can was full.
The website lists the 16 oz can w/applicator for $44.90.

https://store.airstream.com/product_...roducts_id=163

[tlynn87]

thanks for all your advise!! i think i am going to put vulkem on the inside of the outer shell and on the outside i havent decided yet.... but i will be sure to to the water test before i put any panels back on.

[starcraft]

Acrilic-r dry's fast and is used for super small gaps on exterior seams. Looks almost like a weld running a bead. I used big caulk gun and made a mess. Then tried suringes they did work better but wished I broke down and bought oil gun. Parabond on other hand is more like cement glue and can be wipped off with rubbing A. I used parabond for belt line 1inch chrome strip area and on top used acryil r where alum meets. Last night at Home Depot I picked up both clear and black GE 2 silicone for inside rear tail lights. Still trying to tracking a leak