Sealant Uses

bsherman · 12-09-2005, 11:40 AM

Hello, this is my first post. I'm in the process of going through my first Airstream (78 Sovereign 31'). It has leaks in the Vista View windows and a few other places I haven't reached yet. I went online and purchased the following sealant products. Problem is, I don't know which product is preferable for the various applications (windows, seams, rivets, interior/exterior, etc... Can anyone help me who is familiar with these products?

1) Acryl-R Seam Sealer
2) Paralastic
3) Silkaflex 221
4) Silkaflex 721
5) TremPro

Thank you in advance!

**wahoonc** · 12-09-2005, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsherman

Hello, this is my first post. I'm in the process of going through my first Airstream (78 Sovereign 31'). It has leaks in the Vista View windows and a few other places I haven't reached yet. I went online and purchased the following sealant products. Problem is, I don't know which product is preferable for the various applications (windows, seams, rivets, interior/exterior, etc... Can anyone help me who is familiar with these products?

1) Acryl-R Seam Sealer
2) Paralastic
3) Silkaflex 221
4) Silkaflex 721
5) TremPro

Thank you in advance!

Bsherman,
Welcome to the forums

You bought the gamut when it came to sealers, let's see if we can help out a bit.

The Acryl-R Seam Sealer is pretty self explanatory, you use it to seal the edges of the panels where they over lap, and any joints under 1/8".

I am not sure about the Paralastic, if it is the same as Parabond you would use it in the same place as Acryl-R.

The Sikalastic 221 is for sealing around windows and other joints greater than 1/8" in width.

I believe that the 721 is for putting between panels during assembly.

And last but not least is the TremPro, you didn't specify which TremPro you got but it should be similar if not the same as the Sikaflex 221.

If you run a search using one of your caulking terms at a time you will find a wealth of information.

Me I am cheap and lazy

I use Vulkem 636 (TremPro) for about everything. For the really small stuff I use Parabond or Alcoa Gutter seal.

At least you didn't buy silicone

Aaron

startrekker2001 · 12-09-2005, 12:29 PM

I am not familiar with the products you have, but in general, do not use silicone sealers. The product that is highly recommended and used by most of us is Vulkem Sealant. Vulkem remains pliable where silicone adheres to the point that it is impossible to remove if the need be.

I have been fortunate in that I haven't had any leaks.

Your 31 footer is very similar to mine, which is a 1978 31' Excella 500. You are going to have fun with it. Having a vintage Airstream is a lot more fun than having a new one, IMHO.

When things go wrong in a new trailer, that causes rubus of the gastric mucosa and then one gets very upset. When something goes wrong with a vintage trailer, it is an opportunity to become one with the unit, to fix what is broken and revel in your ingenuity.

Welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for advice as there are nearly 10,000 members and each has an opinion on how to fix your problems.

One last piece of advice, if you haven't joined the WBCCI, do so and then join the Vintage Airsteam Club, which is a sub unit of the WBCCI.

If you need the Users Manual and/or the Service manual, I have them for the my Excella on a CD. Send me your snail mail address via email and I will burn a copy for you.

2airishuman · 12-09-2005, 12:36 PM

hi bsherman and welcome to airleaks......er i mean airtreams

hope you like the trailer. good start with buying some goop.

i'd suggest using the search function for key terms....leaks, sealants, parbond, vulcum and so on. there are many threads already posted with lots of info on the specific sealants used on vintage and new trailers....what goes in the little seams or the big gaps, inside versus outside, ac, windows, panel seams, marker lights and so on.... vulcum was used for many years and is still available too. 221 is used now on new construction, inside to seal panels....but is also used for big gap issues like the a/c.

vista views have their own issues appart from basic sealant usage so search around for threads on vista views for info.

also under forums headings for repairs/restorations, exterior, and so on their are several long threads full of details on sealants and their application.

many of the experts have already offered their wisdom in these threads and may not see your post.

read what's already been posted at leisure....i could paraphrase but it's already been posted by others in much better detail.

while filling in the knowledge gap, let the info harden some and read some more....applying another layer. in short order you'll been ooooozing with knowledge and can ask about any remaining leaks....

lets see some photos of that trailer and tell us about yourself!

cheers
2air'

bsherman · 12-09-2005, 01:36 PM

Thanks for the quick feedback. Geepers, I feel like I've found a new family! The pictures don't show much. We just received a bunch of snow here in New Hampshire. Fortunately I was able to put a tarp over it before the snow hit. I plan to work on the interior most of the winter and hit the exterior in the Spring when it warms up. Apparently I can not do any sealing until then due to temperatures. How do people in cold climates seal anything in the winter?

The TremPro I have may be Vulkem 636. I requested Vulkem 636 and this is what they sent -- maybe an older version or different packaging of the same thing? It just says Tremco -- TremPro -- Polyurethane Sealant.

One thing that was clear from reading through the forum --- NO SILICONE!! Thanks everyone.

2airishuman · 12-09-2005, 02:36 PM

all right, pictures!!!

almost as much snow as i see out my window....

nice lookin' coach. always like the red/blue trim on that vintage....

yea you got it right about the evils of silicon.....
now you'll likely hear about the evils of PLASTIC WRAP too.

no doubt you're trying to keep the water out of the leaks that need sealant.

if your factory plasticoat outer layer is already beat up/peeling or needs redone..... the plastic sheeting won't hurt anything, but if your plasticoat is in great shape......well 'might want to rethink the saran wrapping.

many posts here about the evil tarp and what it can do. otoh given the need to keep water out till warmer sealant days, it's the better of 2 evils.

i used a professional made cloth lined cover for years without problems but almost as many folks hate covers as silicon.

cheers
2air'

**wahoonc** · 12-09-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsherman

The TremPro I have may be Vulkem 636. I requested Vulkem 636 and this is what they sent -- maybe an older version or different packaging of the same thing? It just says Tremco -- TremPro -- Polyurethane Sealant.

One thing that was clear from reading through the forum --- NO SILICONE!! Thanks everyone.

bsherman,
The Tremco TremPro/Vulkem Polyurethane Sealant...it comes in a gold colored tube with black and white lettering. The number/color is printed around the top of the tube along with the lot number and production code, it is in small letters...I need bifocals to see it

Aaron

bsherman · 12-09-2005, 03:40 PM

Hey, cool. I looked at the top edge of the sealant. It does say 636 Gray, then a bunch of other numbers. This must be the stuff, although the packaging is gold with blue letters and makes no mention of Vulkem.

Regarding the plastic -- yes, the standard coating has withered away with the years. I figured it wasn't the best solution for the exterior, but then again, I couldn't do any work on it inside with it wet. I'll finish the inside over the winter, then tacklet the outside (and the problems created by the plastic wrap) in the spring. Thanks for the advise.

I probably should put this on a new thread, but has anyone ever put the Univolt on the outside of the trailer with the gas tanks? I reviewed a thread where someone put the batteries on the outside in a Marine case, but why stop there? Why not put the Univolt and it's annoying buzz on the outside too -- that is, if you can insulate it from the weather appropriately.

**wahoonc** · 12-09-2005, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsherman

I probably should put this on a new thread, but has anyone ever put the Univolt on the outside of the trailer with the gas tanks? I reviewed a thread where someone put the batteries on the outside in a Marine case, but why stop there? Why not put the Univolt and it's annoying buzz on the outside too -- that is, if you can insulate it from the weather appropriately.

If you are going to go to the trouble of moving the univolt, I would just replace it with an InteliPower unit from www.bestconverter.com they don't hum...and provide better charging for your batteries.

Aaron

bsherman · 12-09-2005, 04:31 PM

That's the best advise I've heard all day. Now, since you went to the trouble to recommend the humless converter, would you be so kind as to also suggest a model? Looks like they have 30-80amps ranging in price from $168-$248. I can't tell if it includes a mount kit -- or ships with instructions on how to ventilate it. I'll keep the humless inside but would need to know some of the mounting specifics. The specs also say about 6-7lbs. The thing I took out was heavy -- maybe 30lbs?

Along with the trouble of removing the Univolt, I continued to removing the entire interior including shower/bath -- rear model -- had a hole in the tub. I'm going to custom design the interior with bunk beds on each side with a wrap around table in the front so the kids can play game with friends.

I'm not looking to make any $$ on the parts, but I do have several pieces that are in o.k. (but faded) shape for the taking if anyone wants to trek to Merrimack, NH to pick anything up.

**wahoonc** · 12-09-2005, 06:31 PM

bsherman,
IIRC the orginal was 45 amps so you could replace with that or if you are going to be using more 12volt or bigger batteries you could step up to the 60 amp. I am considering going with one of the newer 3 stage converters WFCO they are better for the batteries. I am also looking at using the AGM batteries, because they don't have to be installed in a vented compartment and appear to have a bettery life span than the older style wet cell batteries.

Aaron

**CanoeStream** · 12-09-2005, 07:44 PM

Vulkem is pretty lumpy stuff and takes a long time to skin over and take a set. The Sikaflex 221 is hard to beat for general applications. See: http://www.airforums.com/forum...dge-19145.html