He prior owner of my 2004 had all the roof seams caulked while at a campsite. It looks bad and I don't think it was necessary. Is this something that is routinely done? Can I remove it?
I'm not familiar with the different brands, but it is a heavy layer of a tan colored caulking. They even caulked where the awning attaches. I wanted to remove it, but looking at some other threads, it seems like other owners also have a lot of caulking on their roofs. It that the norm?
Usually you want to use Trempro-635 for areas where there is much of a gap or where you have to cover large areas. Parbond is good for around windows and it is thin and if applied correctly it won't look bad. Everything should be sealed because Airstreams tend to have leaks, yes even the new ones. Another place for leaks is where the bumper plate meets the rear of the trailer. You need to get all the old stuff off which will be a challenge to not damage the clear coat. In really gummed up areas paint stripper works well but it will take the clear coat with it. There are caulk remover attachments for drills with little plastic wings what are supposed to do minimal damage to the metal underneath. Post some photos so we can see what you are up against.
I just used a tube of Sikaflex 505UV (in white) on my roof. I read elsewhere here on the forums that it has replaced the 721UV. The 505UV is good stuff. I also noticed the factory store is not selling the 721UV any longer, but they are selling something called ADSEAL. Russ
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Russ and Linda
2018 Flying Cloud 27'
2012 F250 Powerstroke 6.7
AIR#24440 WBCCI#11740
I LOVE all this info. GREAT! I have had no leaks, as of yet, so how do I know when it's time to reseal? Do I remove the old seal around the things on the roof?
I LOVE all this info. GREAT! I have had no leaks, as of yet, so how do I know when it's time to reseal? Do I remove the old seal around the things on the roof?
kelly
This is one way to tell...how it came from the Factory.
I have removed the old sealant and cleaned with mineral spirits and WW tire cleaner. Scrape with plastic and wooden paint stirrers.
Bob
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I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
Leaks are easily hidden. The way an Airstream is built, leaks run between the two skins and end up under the floor covering and rot the floor. So just because there are no outward signs of a leak does not mean you don't have any. The corners where the straight sections meet the curved sections are prime leak areas in the floor and the plate that goes under the back of the trailer. To the right of the door are prime areas as well.
Perry
Quote:
Originally Posted by kds
I LOVE all this info. GREAT! I have had no leaks, as of yet, so how do I know when it's time to reseal? Do I remove the old seal around the things on the roof?
I don't mean to hijack this thread, but thought my question (if answered) might help at this point. When I scraped my old caulk away, from roof penetrations (skylight and fan) and the awning rails, the caulk was sort of crumbly. It reminded me of very old window glass glazing putty. It was, for the most part, still white. When I went to remove the caulk around the plumbing stack- well, that was a different story. It was discoloured (black) like Robert's classic photo. It was also very much still elastic, and sticky. I needed to use the heat gun on this stuff, whereas I did not on the other.
So, who can say what were these two very different sealants? And is it really necessary to use two types?
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Can't find the post...but I think that question was answered several years ago when I did the black tank vent as the infamous "vulkem".
I think the new stuff is Sikaflex 721 UV, it's what Andy supplied when I got the new Skylight last year, but who knows it may have changed again.
Bob
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I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
According to 62Overlander Vulkem is Trempro-626 and not Trempro-635 as folks have said. Sikaflex is a different manufacture entirely. I believe both are polyurathane based. The 626 is supposed to have a longer working time but is not as strong as the 635 according to the specs. I prefer the 635 but if I needed longer working time like restorers do installing large panels then I would use the 626. I have several places on my trailer where I have had to remove the old Vulkem and the stuff shrinks and gets hard. I can't say what the long term is on the newer materials. Time will tell.
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...how it came from the Factory.
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