Sikaflex, Vulkem, and Parbond Questions

[JohnG]

Can anyone explain where each of these sealants are suppose to be used?
How they should be used?
How they should be removed?
Does AS use these today or just Sikaflex?

[BobbyW]

http://www.airforums.com/forum...light=sikaflex

Its a Sticky in the Exterior Restoration Forum as the question gets asked repeatedly.

[TomW]

I found out last week from an Airstream dealer that the factory has now switched to Sikaflex exclusively. While I have not independently verified this claim, I thought I would pass it on. It would be nice to know if this is true.

Hopefully Inland Andy will catch this post & comment.

Tom

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by BobbyW

http://www.airforums.com/forum...light=sikaflex

Its a Sticky in the Exterior Restoration Forum as the question gets asked repeatedly.

This doesn't seem to answer the question about Sikaflex I asked unless I am to just assume that it is for use on large seams. I have read this threed before and it does have some great info. I guess Parbond is only for very small seams 1/8" and smaller. I have also heard that Vulkem is now used under the trailer and in the wheel wells. Still like to know where to use each sealant for sure.

Originally Posted by tcwilliams

I found out last week from an Airstream dealer that the factory has now switched to Sikaflex exclusively. While I have not independently verified this claim, I thought I would pass it on. It would be nice to know if this is true.

Hopefully Inland Andy will catch this post & comment.

Tom

Tom, I am wondering about the Sikaflex too. Check out the quote from the thread BobbyW, suggested post #16 I placed it below. It says the factory is using GE Alumin Silicone now and after all that has been said about silicon I find this hard to believe. So I am confused.

Originally Posted by mareinmn

ellablu

Please Say You haven't used that dredded V stuff yet.
Even the factory is using the GE Alumin. Silicon caulk that you can get from Home Depot Etc.
Much easier (small caulking gun), color matches, and stays pliable forever.
mareinmn

A few post down on the thread BobbyW gave this quote is challanged.

Silicone and smooth surfaces don't seem to get along as the silicone will peel right off and also as I understand it Silicone will leave open gaps here and there when applied to a smooth surface thus it will appear as if it is sealing but it is not and a leak can occur.

Parbond is for small seams 1/8" or smaller as I understand it.

Now Vulkem or Sikaflex? I know that Inland RV sells Sikaflex now so has AS changed to this and does this mean that Vulkem is no longer used?

I hope Andy pipes in to this thread too as I would like to know his opinion.

[JohnG]

Also can you paint over Vulkem? I think I read somewhere that you can paint over Sikaflex...............

[BobbyW]

My testimonial is my own '65 Globetrotter were some PO put silicon sealant all around the windows. It turned the most awful gray and has dirt imbedded in it. It has pulled away in many places and will have to be labouriously dug out and redone as it still leaks. I am using gray Parbond in a syringe with the blue painters tape to repair it.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Airstream production "HAS" changed from Vulkem sealer to "SIKAFLEX."

Action: I don't have the engineering reasons why Airstream changed.

Both are absolutely paintable. Sikaflex can be used anyplace that Vulkem was used.

There are two advantages to the Sikaflex.

The first is that it has a smooth texture.

Secondly, it's cheaper. (Our part# 51560)

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

BobbyW

It is not necessary to use a syringe with Parband.

The oriface provided by that tube gives a bead of about 1/8 inch.

However, if you desire a bead smaller than that, you can easily crimp the end of the Parbond tube to most any dimension smaller than 1/8 inch.

Additionally, you don't have to buy the syringe, secondly, you don't have a messy syringe to clean up.

Andy

[BobbyW]

Agreed on the syringes not being necessary. I use them for accuracy and I just happen to have access to them due to my wife and her father always giving shots to cows. They have boxes of them in all sizes. Ranchers & farmers have all kinds of neat things to borrow.

[67caravel]

Guess what folks, I was just washing and Walbernizing my '04 CCD (new from the factory to me) and there are spots where, clearly, A/S used silicone! Most notably on holes in the frame above the curbside windows (on the flange above the window), on a few spots around or near the front window top where the plexi stone guards attach, above the door, and on spots around the awnings. Nobody else has touched this trailer. Hmmmm. Wonder what's up with that?

[j54mark]

Originally Posted by Xray

Guess what folks, I was just washing and Walbernizing my '04 CCD (new from the factory to me) and there are spots where, clearly, A/S used silicone! Most notably on holes in the frame above the curbside windows (on the flange above the window), on a few spots around or near the front window top where the plexi stone guards attach, above the door, and on spots around the awnings. Nobody else has touched this trailer. Hmmmm. Wonder what's up with that?

It has been noted before on these forums that there are silicone products developed for use on aluminum. One can only assume that such is the case here.

Mark

[JohnG]

Thanks Andy for clearing up the "Has AS switched to Sikaflex?" question.

As for AS using silicone now I would have to say that with the improvements in our technology it is only reasonable that the sealant industry would have found a way to implement silicone into a useful state for hgihway trailers, and also for RV trailers.
However, I am sure that it is probably a special type of silicone since there are about 30 different type silicone sealants on the market.
As for me I think I will try to stay with the Sikaflex and Parbond, and just forget good old Vilkem.

[markdoane]

Has anyone ordered Sikaflex from Austin Hardware? Are they reliable? http://www.austinhardware.com/produc...478&pf_id=3243

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by markdoane

Has anyone ordered Sikaflex from Austin Hardware? Are they reliable? http://www.austinhardware.com/produc...478&pf_id=3243

I ordered from them Friday last week. I certainly hope they are reliable. I know they have Sikaflex for $5.47 a tube
I'll post when I receive my order.

[Over59]

At Home Depot I found "aluminum silicon clauking". Now I don't mean to get you know who all fired up but if this solves the ugly black dirt issue should it be considered at least for testing. Could use it in approved areas like window hinges. It is designed for flashing and rain gutters I think.

[JohnG]

The order came today from Austin Hardware. I guess they would be reliable. Silkaflex 221 is $5.47 a tube. That's 3 bucks a tube cheaper than anyplace I have found.

Here is a link: http://www.austinhardware.com/produc...478&pf_id=3243

They also have many other items that can be of use on an AS.

[59toaster]

Originally Posted by JohnG

I ordered from them Friday last week. I certainly hope they are reliable. I know they have Sikaflex for $5.47 a tube
I'll post when I receive my order.

Vulkem is $5.95 cents at www.Airstreamdreams.com They have outstanding service. Not worth saving 52cents a tube to find out if they provide decent service when I know I will get decent service from AD's. They sell the 636 that is smooth. I have had wonderfull luck with the stuff.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by 59toaster

Vulkem is $5.95 cents at www.Airstreamdreams.com They have outstanding service. Not worth saving 52cents a tube to find out if they provide decent service when I know I will get decent service from AD's. They sell the 636 that is smooth. I have had wonderfull luck with the stuff.

52 cents a tube can stack up fast. I juist ordered 12 tubes of Sikaflex 221 which replaced Vulkem 636 and as Andy said from Inland RV, "Airstream production "HAS" changed from Vulkem sealer to "SIKAFLEX." So I saved over 3 bucks there besides having what is suppose to be a better product. However, they appear very simular by their qualities.

Originally Posted by markdoane

All I can tell you is:
Elongation
Sikaflex 1a = 500%
Vulkem 636 = 400%

Adhesion on aluminum
Sikaflex 1a = 3.4 N/mm
Vulkem 636 = 3.5 N/mm

Tensile stress
Sikaflex 1a = 1.37MPa
Vulkem 636 = 1.37 MPa

Shore A hardness
Sikaflex 1a = 35 to 45
Vulkem 636 = 25 to 30

And the price seems to be similar.
Sikaflex is approved by Canadian Food Inspection Agency, whereas Vulkem 636 is approved by USDA. In case you want to eat off it.

Above quote from thread http://www.airforums.com/forum...ead.php?t=9659

[JohnG]

Did a liitle research on Sikaflex 221 and posted it along with the comparason that was done by Markdoane in my above post.

Elongation
Sikaflex 221 = 600%
Sikaflex 1a = 500%
Vulkem 636 = 400%

Adhesion on aluminum
Sikaflex 221 = 0% adhesion loss
Sikaflex 1a = 3.4 N/mm
Vulkem 636 = 3.5 N/mm

Tensile stress
Sikaflex 221 = Stress N/A Tensile Strength = 260 psi
Sikaflex 1a = 1.37MPa
Vulkem 636 = 1.37 MPa

Shore A hardness
Sikaflex 221 = 40 Approximate
Sikaflex 1a = 35 to 45
Vulkem 636 = 25 to 30

The stats can be found at http://www.sikaindustry.com/tds-ipd-sf221-ind-us.pdf on a pdf file

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by 59toaster

Vulkem is $5.95 cents at www.Airstreamdreams.com They have outstanding service. Not worth saving 52cents a tube to find out if they provide decent service when I know I will get decent service from AD's. They sell the 636 that is smooth. I have had wonderfull luck with the stuff.

Eric,
I think everyone wants to switch to Sikaflex 221. If it's good enough for the factory. . . . . . . .and cheaper too!