Caulking and Sealants (silicone, parbond, vulkem & more)
perusing through the threads, I'm wondering: should I pro-actively seal all the seams on my "new" ('73) trailer, or just large gaps or known leaks? (there aren't any that I know of...yet, except perhaps a sloppy sillicon job around the front window). I'm reading that vulkem needs to be run in a rather thick bead....I can't imagine how that would look running up and down the trailer (yuck). Or is there some method for getting it into the seams, making it more or less invisible?
What is this "par-bond" stuff, and where do I get it?
what about the alluminum gutter/flashing caulk available at HD?
Vulkem is used for the large seams, such as at the top of the windows, entrance door, vent cover flanges and awning rail. It's also used to seal the vent pipe gaskets, through the fiberglass screening and on to the black vent pipes.
Parbond, comes in 5 ounce tubes and is used for small seams, such as segment seams and around the top and both sides of clearance lights, and around the sides of the window frames. It, like vulkem, never completely hardens. Very small beads can easily be made with Parbond.
We have used it for many years and keep much of it in inventory.
get some 3M blue tape, 1" and 1 1/2".
On straight seams, place 2 strips leaving about 1/16" space, on corners place a piece of 1 1/2" tape and cut it with an Olfa type knife.
__________________
Once you figure out how to do it,
the instructions actually make sense.
_____________________________________
WBCCI Member at Large
carefully remove the side on the skin and place it 1/16" from the frame for a perfect fit.
I personally like Tremco's (same co that makes vulkem) Dymonic Polyurethane Sealant. It sticks like thunder to aluminum and clearcoat and never dries hard. It is more liquid than vulkem and not so gritty. The color is a grey/aluminum. I bought it at the local glass company for $5.25 for a 11 oz tube. After forcing it into the seam using a caulk gun, I use a rag with paint thinner to smooth it out prior to removing the tape.
__________________
Once you figure out how to do it,
the instructions actually make sense.
_____________________________________
WBCCI Member at Large
Unfortunate: two of the companies listed in that link which are in my immediate area are incorrect. First one (in Rockledge FL) doesn't carry the product and suggested I call painting contractors. Second one (Palm Bay FL) has an incorrect phone number --- goes to a pretty interesting voice mail though .
I'll give Inland RV a shout. I need the stuff like yesterday.
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