Ok, dumb question from an unknowing newbie, but what sealants do you use where? I'm getting lost in the use of Vulkem, Par-bond, Alcoa gutter seal, sika flex, etc. what wicks what doesn't etc.
When a unit needs caulked, what is used on the skin joints, roof vents, vent pipes, A/C seal, window frame to skin joints and any other areas I may have missed? When the time comes it would be nice to have a game plan and shopping list. thanks for your patience with a rookie
Use Vulkum for large areas such as roof vents, plumbing vents, TV antenna and tops of window frames. Use Par-bond or gutter seal for skin seams, letters and the other three sides of the window frames.
Yes it will work on them but the vulkem is gray and the parbond is silver so you will be able to see the sealants on a factory beige colored Argosy. I replaced all the vulkem on mine and parbonded the seams before I repainted it. Vulkem is great stuff but once you open a tube you must "use it or lose it". I originally got a tube from Inland RV but was able to get more locally as well. They have a website with dealer locations. A tube of parbond goes a long, long way.
(Leigh, I did PM you back some weeks ago but have been having connectivity problems so you may not have gotten it, I am getting a digital camera soon and hope to have some pics on soon.)
Hey Chas - Thanks for the info. I'm going into overload collecting all this!! Did not get your PM?? Waiting for those pics!!! and continuing to twist my husbands arm to get him to post ours. I think Texans need a little armtwisting now and again, huh!! (By the way I came from Corpus Christi) Leigh
Leigh,
I ran across a tube of Parbond that was clear. Someone told me on the forum that it also comes in white as well as grey. Maybe clear might be the ticket for you. By the way, I was born and raised in Corpus Christi. My mother and sister still live there.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
Craig - thanks for that info. I hated to think of putting sealant all over trailer and having it stick out like mustard around a leaky burger!! We have to get to that task soon, but no way to add a repaint job at this particular moment in time. Good to know we might be able to seal and still have it look ok.
I was born in CC, but they moved me out pretty quickly. My parents settled in Tulsa, OK so guess my claim to Texas is pretty dadblaimed (is that right!!?) small. Anyway, Price and I have lived here in COLO. for over 13 yrs. Got a bit of a travel joke for you guys if you ever come this way to experience it:
You know you live in COLO when: you know all 4 seasons - almost winter, winter, still winter and construction!! Its that last one that is the joke!! Later, Leigh
Leigh,
As far as construction goes, I thought Nashville, Tn. had the claim to road construction. I've seen more than my share of orange/silver barrels throughout Nashville for the last 10 yrs. I'm glad I live 70 miles southeast from there now.
I don't know how far you live from Denver but my sister's best friend lives there. All 3 of us grew up in CC and then she got married and moved to Denver. She's divorced now. Could it have been the winter or the construction?
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
Leigh,
As far as construction goes, I thought Nashville, Tn. had the claim to road construction. I've seen more than my share of orange/silver barrels throughout Nashville for the last 10 yrs. I'm glad I live 70 miles southeast from there now.
I don't know how far you live from Denver but my sister's best friend lives there. All 3 of us grew up in CC and then she got married and moved to Denver. She's divorced now. Could it have been the winter or the construction?
Try driving east about 200 miles to Knoxville if you want to see competition for that construction trophy. We spend the summer just south of Crossville, TN. The Cumberland plateau is a great place in the good ol' summer time.
tom
Just put Vulkem 116 in the Product Search Bar here and you will find it ($4.90). I get all mine from this place. Cheap and quick shipping compared to other places.
.......is what the factory uses now (and so do I). The SikaFlex is a moisture cure polyurethane that is much smoother than Vulkem, and IS paintable when fully cured (about 24 hours) and usually skins over in a couple of hours. It is used for the larger sealing requirements like lapped seams, vents, awning rails, etc. IMHO, it is the best polyurethane product out there for now. I use about a case every 2 weeks.
For the small stuff like seam sealing and for wicking properties, Acryl-R is great, especially for it's re-useability (did I just invent that word?) and ease of application.
Both products are available from the Airstream web store. Just be sure that the expiration date on the sikaFlex is current, as it is very difficult tot use after the date stamped on the container.
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