Am I Using the Right Sealants?

[Swrider]

Hello Everyone, thanks for stopping by.
I wanted to collect everyone's opinion on the sealants I am about to use.
I am in the process of sealing everything that I can on my '72 Ambassador, starting with the roof and working my way down.
Sealants of choice that I have, according to my research on here are:
- 3M Sealant Tape #4412N. This sealing tape I am using on all my roof vents.
- Sikaflex-221 in Grey to seal up all gaps on windows, doors and trim.
-Parbond clear I will use to seal where the aluminum overlaps. By this I mean where the body panels vertically overlap. Is this something that needs to be sealed?

Parbond is the one I was wondering about. From reading on VTS, this is used to seal gaps that are less than 1/8" which would cover the vertical overlap of the aluminum panels. Am I correct?
Any and all comments are greatly appreciated.

[Bubba L]

Concerning the Parbond, I believe it does the job. On all exterior aluminum panel lap joints, I squirt Captain Tolleys in the joints first. It has capillary properties and wicks into the joint. Then I use painters tape and tape each side of the joint. I squirt the Parbond in and smooth it with mineral spirits. I use the silver so I can see that the joint is sealed. Parbond is messy so I go the extra step with the 3/4” painters tape. No issues so far. Good luck

[Swrider]

Thanks Bubba, gotta get it sealed up soon. Not because we get a lot of rain in thebdesert, but the temos will be dropping below recommended for caulking soon.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Nothing to do with any specific sealant or tape: You need to be pretty sure the surfaces involved are clean. Oil is bad, silicone spray is worse in this respect. Avoid any sort of lube around an area you are about to seal !!! Solvents can take off (most) petroleum based materials, just about noting on earth will fully remove silicone lubes.

Bob

[Hittenstiehl]

There is also a Thread called Sealants Summery in the exterior restoration topic area that might be useful.

[drbrick]

Below is a link to the Forum Sealant Summary - this should be helpful.

airstream-maintenance-sealants-summary

[Starlight Mike]

Your AS couldn't possibly have a leak could it?

[Swrider]

Originally Posted by m rafferty

Your AS couldn't possibly have a leak could it?

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
Nope, not a single one!!!
I did read thru the entire Sealant Summary, very helpful and informitive.