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ehodg66 · 09-29-2014, 03:11 PM

@Frank's Trailer Works:
"Frank" I posted a thread some time back about that Rustoleum sealer...it seemed t o dry up and crack off over a very short period of time.
I've always been interested in the TV commercial Flex seal for the interior rivet sealing.
Have you ever seen any long term, negative effects using the Flex Seal? Drying? cracking? etc...

thank you

Frank's Trailer Works · 09-29-2014, 04:59 PM

I have not since this is a relatively new product and to see it I would have to open the walls back up. Hopefully in 50 years when someone opens it up, it will still be good.

Airwave503 · 10-02-2014, 07:46 PM

OK, so I found some Acryl-R here in Portland and started in on the seams a couple days ago. First I tries the no-tape approach but found it left an ugly result and trying to clean off mistakes was slowing me down. The masking tape approach seems to be working well, but after reviewing the first days results I found I need to go a little more generous as the product was getting sucked back into the seam and I can't be sure it's completely sealed. So today I did the other half and refined my technique. By laying a thicker bead, going over it lighter with my finger, and pulling the tape straight back along the seam, I can leave a solid narrow bead capping the seam. Not as pretty, but pretty sure no waters getting in there.

Question: Can I go back over spots that I am not sure about without cleaning the Acryl-R I applied 2 days ago?

Mixter · 10-02-2014, 11:15 PM

I cant speak for using Acryl-R, since I've never used it.... BUT if I were to use it, it would be for very tight spots where I want to "wick" into a small area nice and neatly... Therefore I would use the can and pump applicator sold here:

https://store.airstream.com/index.php?cPath=44

That applicator you're using looks pretty tough to use in tight spots.

Interested to hear how it turns out.
Mic

Frank's Trailer Works · 10-03-2014, 04:07 AM

I use the pump not the caulk tube. It applies a very fine bead exactly where it needs to be.

AirEgger · 10-03-2014, 06:43 AM

Airwave503, I've resealed the exterior seams and the upper and lower belt lines using Acryl-R with the pump applicator and masking tape. Found the pump easier to use in tight places. I ran into some of the issues you mentioned, ie, bead width and applying a second coat. On the seams, I used a 1/16" bead and thought that worked pretty good. On the belt lines, I found that to be a little thin and increased it a bit. After the thinner beads had cured, I went over them with a wider bead. Don't know if that's the right way to do it, but that's what I did. This was over a year ago, everything seems to be ok, no evidence of separation or areas of poor adherence. I cleaned the surfaces with mineral spirits, applied the tape then the Acryl-R. Waited about five minutes and did the finger smoothing and pulled the tape. This approach was from a previous post on this subject sometime ago. Good luck, let us know how everything turns out.

dznf0g · 10-03-2014, 06:46 AM

So, how do you clean up after using the pump? Does the can reseal well for storage? What do you use to flush and clean the pump itself?

Wingeezer · 10-03-2014, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

So, how do you clean up after using the pump? Does the can reseal well for storage? What do you use to flush and clean the pump itself?

I have a pump and can of Acryl-R I have used since we bought the trailer 6 years ago!

I leave the pump on the can and just stick a small wire in the nozzle when storing it - The product still seems just as it did when I started using it and I never have a problem getting the pump started when I need to use it.

I think it is a great product & wouldn't be without it. I also bought some Captan Tolley's as well but so far my experience with it is limited.

Brian.

dznf0g · 10-03-2014, 07:46 AM

So I heard it is cheaper to by a can and pump, then refill with the tubes.....same stuff and consistency?

Airwave503 · 10-03-2014, 08:25 AM

All my local place had was the tubes. They were $10.50 each and I will finish all the seams without using up 2 of them. I poked the hole in the tip with a small nail, so it's laying a pretty fine bead, but I still like using my finger to smoosh it into the seam. Going forward I will immediately lay a second bead after finger smooshing to make sure the seam is completely capped.

This stuff kicks fast and I find if I wait too long to pull the tape it wants to pull the product away from the seam.

Thanks Barry, I will go back over the spots of concern for peace of mind. So far I think the Acyrl-R is a good choice. It's thick enough not to run, but thin enough to get in the tight seams.

Airwave503 · 10-14-2014, 09:13 AM

UPDATE: So it rained last night for the first time since I started my sealing effort. I woke up at o-dark-thirty and had to go check for leaks. Seems easy to spot water at night with a head lamp.

2 of the seams I sealed still had a tiny bit of water getting through. I suspect the water is getting in through the rivets, not the seam line. I also found a bunch of other spots where water is getting in through rivets.

Headed to West Marine for some Capt. Tolley's today and will go over the rivets next.

dznf0g · 10-14-2014, 09:29 AM

Good plan IMO

AirEgger · 10-15-2014, 08:45 PM

Regarding the application of Capt Tolleys crack sealer. I don't have a syringe, although that sounds like a good way to apply the sealer, but I have been using a very simple approach that minimizes the runs on vertical rivets. Take the cap from the Capt Tolleys bottle and using a needle, punch a very small hole in the tip. This hole will be much smaller than the standard hole in the bottle tip. Put the cap with the hole back on the bottle. The small hole in the tip will allow you to squeeze out very small quantities over the upper edge of the rivet which will flow around the rivet. There may be a small amount that runs but it's very easy to blot with a rag or paper towel. While not perfect, for me, it's a big improvement over using the hole in the bottle. Some practice may be required.

reinergirl · 10-15-2014, 08:55 PM

I have also found if you put a drop on top of the rivet, you can take the tip of a toothpick and drag it around the rivet. The bottle IMO works better than a syringe. The syringe for me sometimes builds up a vacuum and when you apply more pressure you get a squirt of Tolleys, not good.

rodsterinfl · 10-15-2014, 09:30 PM

ooh, never thought of having to seal rivets. Wow.

I have used Acryl-R with the pump. I put a tooth pick in my end to seal the nozzle. My question is how to clean the messes off! What works to clean it up that is easily found in stores?

dznf0g · 10-16-2014, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reinergirl

I have also found if you put a drop on top of the rivet, you can take the tip of a toothpick and drag it around the rivet. The bottle IMO works better than a syringe. The syringe for me sometimes builds up a vacuum and when you apply more pressure you get a squirt of Tolleys, not good.

The stickiness in the syringe comes, IMO, after some use with Tolley's. You wind up with a very thin layer of dried Tolley's coating the inside of the syringe body. A little cleanup with Mineral spirits and the stickiness goes away. Don't use the MS on the rubber plunger though. Just wipe it off with the MS rag. Soaking it makes it swell.

thesignlady · 10-19-2014, 09:19 AM

After looking at the prices of the special applicators they sell at the trailer supply places + shipping, I walked into the neighborhood pharmacy to look at options for caulk and the captain Tolley's. I looked in the medicine dispensing for kids area, they were all cute, pretty and expensive so I went up to the pharmacist desk and talked to the person at prescription pick up about what I was doing with my weather proofing and they have lots of options for applicators. I walked away with a couple syringes (10 gauge needle I think) and a couple applicators for caulking. 10 cents and 40 cents respectively

thesignlady · 10-19-2014, 09:21 AM

Here they are...

dznf0g · 10-19-2014, 03:32 PM

This is what I use...5 of them for $8.36

http://www.amazon.com/Monoject-Curve...s=syringe+oral

They have a pretty small orifice and the curved tip gains access and control where the bottle won't. I tried Insulin syringes, but they were too small an orifice. My daughter-in-law, a Pharmacist, said I couldn't get a larger needle than that over the counter.