Parbond or Gutter Seal for Exterior Seams???

[mwmoss]

Okay, I'm soon to begin refinishing the exterior of my '74 Tradewind. I've read some conflicting info on sealants, so I've got a couple of questions for those with some experience. I understand that Parbond and Gutter Seal are primarily used for sealing exterior panel seams. Does the Gutter Seal really turn a greenish-brown over time? Does Gutter Seal leave an "ugly" bead along the seam? Is Parbond a clear product? Have you had better experience with Parbond over Gutter Seal on the seams?

Also, a PO tried to seal the seams with an unknown sealant. What have you found to be the best method for removing the old, dry, cracked sealant? One person used an old dental tool, but wouldn't that scratch the aluminum? Are there any chemical removers available?

Any clarifications would be greatly appreciated!

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by mwmoss

Okay, I'm soon to begin refinishing the exterior of my '74 Tradewind. I've read some conflicting info on sealants, so I've got a couple of questions for those with some experience. I understand that Parbond and Gutter Seal are primarily used for sealing exterior panel seams. Does the Gutter Seal really turn a greenish-brown over time? Does Gutter Seal leave an "ugly" bead along the seam? Is Parbond a clear product? Have you had better experience with Parbond over Gutter Seal on the seams?

Also, a PO tried to seal the seams with an unknown sealant. What have you found to be the best method for removing the old, dry, cracked sealant? One person used an old dental tool, but wouldn't that scratch the aluminum? Are there any chemical removers available?


Any clarifications would be greatly appreciated!

I prefer Parbond, that is what Airstream used when they built my trailer 30 years ago, and it has withstood the test of time. As far as removing old caulk of unknow origin...I use whatever works, sometimes you can luck up on a chemical that will soften or remove it and sometimes not. I have used everything from MEK and Paint Thinner to Aircraft Stripper. They work on some things but not others. I have also used a Dremel tool with brass brushes in it, hand held brass brushes, sharpened popsicle sticks, orange sticks, and my pocket knife. Most if not all of it will be trial and error. BTW Parbond comes in different colors including clear, I use the silver...because.

Aaron

[68 Overlander]

Perfect responce less you forgot the "fingernail." Most handy tool in my arsenal when removing old caulking.
Parbond is a great sealant and easy to apply right out of the tube.

[mcneon]

For removing old sealer, I'd suggest using a sharp plastic scraper in conjunction with a heat gun.

I found some little (3" or so) plastic scrapers at Home Depot designed for paint stripping work. They're hard enough to do some serious scraping, but soft enough not to scratch aluminum. Since they're intended for use with caustic strippers, they're impervious to almost any chemical. The stuff I used soaked right through my nitrile rubber gloves, but it didn't faze these scrapers.

I used a couple in a major paint removal project on my Argosy. The edges dull fairly quickly, but I've resharpened them dozens of times with my disk sander. With a new, sharp edge they are very effective.

Remnants that you can't quite remove with the scraper will come off with an application of paint remover and a scrubbee pad - one of those woven plastic kitchen cleaners.

Bob

[Safari Tim]

Originally Posted by mwmoss

Does the Gutter Seal really turn a greenish-brown over time?

Yes. It does turn an ugly green. And it shrinks. It should only be used for very very small openings, like the seams.

I put it over my tail lights and windows and it turned nasty looking.

[juel]

Ok all, could someone give me a list of sealents to use and where to use them. I'm a little confused about vulkum, parbond, etc.......What do I use where? I have a 78 Argosy that I want to seal around the windows, vents, AC. I ordered vulkum but now I read about this parbond. Which is best? Judy

[davidz71]

Parbond is uses for small seams because it has wicking ability. Use it to seal panel seams on the roof and trim along the belt line. I have seen it in clear, silver, white and black. It can also be used around windows. You can use Silkaflex for vents or larger seams where you would normally use Vulkum and it does not have that grainey look that some of the Vulkum have.

[mwmoss]

I had bought some Vulkem and Gutter Seal, but I think I'll ditch the Gutter Seal and go with Parbond. I just wish airstreamdreams.com wouldn't sell the product if many aren't pleased with the results. Or, at least they could provide more description on how others are using them in their restoration projects.

I'm also going to give the heat gun and plastic scrapers a trial.

Thanks for the responses... especially the info on Gutter Seal:

Originally Posted by Safari Tim

Yes. It does turn an ugly green. And it shrinks. It should only be used for very very small openings, like the seams.

I put it over my tail lights and windows and it turned nasty looking.

[Hit'nMiss]

Well first the following is a MUST read for anyone curious about Caulking/Sealants etc.:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ead.php?t=7626

The reports on Seamer Mate are interesting and worth trying but I find it thicker than reported. Maybe I bought old stock or something. It is readily available (in gutter section at Lowes & HmDepot) and cheap enough.


As for tools for removal, I have put together a box of all sorts of odds & ends that I tote up top when I work on removing the various slops of stickum that have been put there over the years. Still there seems to always be need for a different "tool". Ive got the dental picks etc from Harbor freight, and the plastic putty knives and popsicyle stix and corn dog (round) wooden skewers, a butter knife, screw drivers, wire brushes (mini), a 5-in 1 paint tool (Hyde) which is my most valuable tool period, metal & wooden spoons, cardboard cutter, exacto knife, church key (beer opener), q-tips, Hoppes #9 nitro solvent (bore cleaner), metal scour pads, burlap rag, and anything else I find that looks like it can gouge, scrape and peel. Oh needle nose pliers and a tile-grout removal tool from WalMart that is wickedly sharp and must be used judiciously.