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Old 06-02-2008, 06:34 AM   #181
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Found them

Quote:
Originally Posted by goldwing70
Great thread, read the whole thing. Isadora, where did you find the Sikaflex and parabond?
I found both at a local RV place here in Joplin. Some of the other RV places here had them also, some had one but not the other, and I also found Parbond at a mobile home supply. Colaw's had Sikaflex. They didn't seem to know what Vulkem was. Parbond comes in clear, Sikaflex in aluminum, white, and colonial white.
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Old 06-02-2008, 08:27 PM   #182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isadora
I found both at a local RV place here in Joplin. Some of the other RV places here had them also, some had one but not the other, and I also found Parbond at a mobile home supply. Colaw's had Sikaflex. They didn't seem to know what Vulkem was. Parbond comes in clear, Sikaflex in aluminum, white, and colonial white.
I and others have had great success with Acryl-R as a final seam sealer. The stuff is excellent! It soaks into the seams nicely, and seems to remain plyable for long periods of time. The aluminum color is a great match for Airstream seams, and the applicator gun works especially well for those tight little seam areas.

That, along with SikaFlex 221 are all you really need, IMHO, for any sealing requirements on your Airstream.
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Old 06-04-2008, 09:27 AM   #183
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Thanks for the responses! My local AS dealer did not have VulKem. I found some Ultima roof sealer at Menards (it's very close). This stuff is advertised as good for moveable joints, great for RV's. It is thermo plastic rubber. Thoughts on this for roof vent sealing? Otherwise, I think I'll have to order the sealant everyone is using here.
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Old 06-04-2008, 08:42 PM   #184
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Originally Posted by goldwing70 View Post
Thanks for the responses! My local AS dealer did not have VulKem. I found some Ultima roof sealer at Menards (it's very close). This stuff is advertised as good for moveable joints, great for RV's. It is thermo plastic rubber. Thoughts on this for roof vent sealing? Otherwise, I think I'll have to order the sealant everyone is using here.
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be experimenting with anything as important as sealants....especially on an Airstream. I would order the SikaFlex on line or buy the Vulkem from any of the other suppliers listed. These products have been used on Airstreams for a long time, and their qualities as a sealant are very well documented.
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Old 06-04-2008, 09:07 PM   #185
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Originally Posted by Isadora View Post
I found both at a local RV place here in Joplin. Some of the other RV places here had them also, some had one but not the other, and I also found Parbond at a mobile home supply. Colaw's had Sikaflex. They didn't seem to know what Vulkem was. Parbond comes in clear, Sikaflex in aluminum, white, and colonial white.
I've used Vulkem, Parbond in smaller tubes (comes in white, gray/silver, clear), Sikaflex and TremPro 635. The two tubes of Vulkem were rather grainey and areas caulked took on a powered surface within a year. I remember Andy saying something years ago about one of the Vulkems having a grain appearance. I was not impressed. I used Parbond gray/silver on the top edge of the belt line on my '77 Excella 500 and found later that it looked like it took on many surface cracks. I've had great luck with Sikaflex as well as TremPro 635 on my '86 Sovereign 25'. I used the Trempro 635 over the 3M mounted solar panel rocker feet May '07 and it looks just as gray/rubbery as when I squeezed it out of the tube a year ago. I had also run a good bead around the top of the rub rail around the back of the trailer with the same stuff a few months before the solar panel install and it still looks fresh.
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Old 06-16-2008, 11:53 PM   #186
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Leak in an '05 Safari

Hello all...great info in this thread. I've noticed a small leak somewhere around the read bedroom window only during really hard rains. The curtain gets wet and the fabric on the wall under the window seems to get wet also. The leak isn't obvious enough to pin-point it's route of entry. Anybody had experience with a leak in this area? I'm assuming it's either the clearance lights or the window itself (not the wrap around style).

I inspected the clearance lights and found that the gaskets we're actually melted right under where the bulbs are and the 2 mounting screws are corroded. I read in an earlier post that the red plastic actually tends to shrink thus loosing it's seal? Should I replace gaskets/covers? I went ahead and scraped off the old sealant around the lights and applied fresh SikaFlex - I also gooped some over the mounting screws for good measure.

As for the window...the sealant appears 'okay' but I should probably scrape and apply some new sealant. Is this where I should be using Acryl-R?? The sealant appears to be black so not sure about this area. If the sealant is in good condition, should I leave it and apply new sealant over top?

Any help would be appreciated...great info in this thread but I just need a couple pointers.

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Old 06-17-2008, 12:00 AM   #187
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Mike,

Acryl-R actually will wick into an open seam and seal it, staying very soft and pliable. SikaFlex will harden, but will retain a certain amount of flexibility. If the existing sealant is easily removable, I would take out as much as possible and then use the appropriate sealant as a replacement: SikaFlex for the larger sealing jobs and Acryl-R for the smaller areas like segment seams where it's wicking action will be of particular benefit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MG911 View Post
Hello all...great info in this thread. I've noticed a small leak somewhere around the read bedroom window only during really hard rains. The curtain gets wet and the fabric on the wall under the window seems to get wet also. The leak isn't obvious enough to pin-point it's route of entry. Anybody had experience with a leak in this area? I'm assuming it's either the clearance lights or the window itself (not the wrap around style).

I inspected the clearance lights and found that the gaskets we're actually melted right under where the bulbs are and the 2 mounting screws are corroded. I read in an earlier post that the red plastic actually tends to shrink thus loosing it's seal? Should I replace gaskets/covers? I went ahead and scraped off the old sealant around the lights and applied fresh SikaFlex - I also gooped some over the mounting screws for good measure.

As for the window...the sealant appears 'okay' but I should probably scrape and apply some new sealant. Is this where I should be using Acryl-R?? The sealant appears to be black so not sure about this area. If the sealant is in good condition, should I leave it and apply new sealant over top?

Any help would be appreciated...great info in this thread but I just need a couple pointers.

Mike
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Old 06-17-2008, 04:54 AM   #188
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...As for the window...the sealant appears 'okay' but I should probably scrape and apply some new sealant. Is this where I should be using Acryl-R?? The sealant appears to be black...Mike
while sikaflex is used for major panels and big seams on new units...

and acryl-r is used in the tiny (1-2 mm) seams where wicking and self leveling matter...

the WINDOWS on the regular safari models have a black rubber/butyl sealant...

the factory store, or any dealer should be able to give you the part # and name for this 3rd product...

used to install the hehr windows on the basic safaris...

i've got pix of the stuff somewhere but no time to look right now.

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Old 06-17-2008, 10:33 PM   #189
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Thanks for the replies so far. I contacted AS about the melted rubber gaskets in the clearance lights and they told me they don't sell just the gaskets and that I have to replace each light fixture - yikes! I think I'm off to the hardware store to find some foam rubber and cut them to size myself. I also noticed that the red light covers are attached with a single screw - I imagine this is a good source of entry for any water thus the corroded mounting screws..correct me if I'm wrong.
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Old 06-17-2008, 10:42 PM   #190
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...I also noticed that the red light covers are attached with a single screw - I imagine this is a good source of entry for any water thus the corroded mounting screws..correct me if I'm wrong.
Mike
yep and u r not wrong.

many of us replace those rusty screws with stainless...

as the FIRST official owner modification...

as i recall the replacement is a metric 6 or 8 ? in the same length...

lewster posted a kit to 'seal' the single machine screw...

it is basically the screw, a properly sized washer AND a tiny O ring...

didn't stop water 4 me but ymmv...

there are several threads on the rusty center screws and water inside the light fixtures...

and others have made replacement gaskets, but it is tedious to do so...

a/s NOW is using led clearance lights, and they can be purchased to replace the old ones...

no word yet on how much the new version leaks...

cheers
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Old 06-23-2008, 06:06 AM   #191
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Well, I stripped the old sealant off the front fantastic fan, then applied almost a whole tube of Vulkem. The Vulkem was very easy to use, cured to a very substantial feeling pliable bead. Leak seemed better, but still leaked. Gave up and took the AS to the dealer.
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Old 06-25-2008, 06:24 AM   #192
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Having leaks coming from where the awning attaches to the trailer in several places. Is it time to reseal that area? Is Vulkem the correct product? Does the awning have to be open to seal from the top to the trailer or can you seal it properly with awning closed? 31' 2005 classic with 21' awning.
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Old 06-25-2008, 08:51 AM   #193
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Interesting turn of events. Just called my dealer. He said my fix with Vulkem would not stick to the plastic flange of the fan assembly. Didn't sound like he has heard of Vulkem at all. Said he used the "proper sealant" and the leak is now fixed. I'll post further info when I pick up the trailer. I'll have to find out what this sealer is.
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Old 06-30-2008, 01:54 PM   #194
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My dealer said he used Dicor Lap sealant. The Vulkem stuck to the Al very well but not to the airvent plastic flange. This stuff is available at camping world, among other places. Anyone have problems with Vulkem sticking to plastic? FWIW, I did scrub the area with soap and water, then rinsed with clean water, let it dry, then applied the Vulkem.
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Old 06-30-2008, 02:09 PM   #195
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goldwing...

IF the fan plastic/old sealant had ANY siloxanes (silicone) in it there will be 'sticking' issues with vulkem or sikaflex.

so after the scraping and cleaning, did you wipe it down with a solvent that removes residue?

most of the plastic crap that contacts the skin panels/roof on our streams...

seals up very well with vulkem or sikaflex 221...

unless there has been silicones applied nearby.

the dicor is a butyl based sealant right? so it should work fine too...

the dealer/service shop who totally fudged a new a/c install on my unit hadn't heard of vulkem or sikaflex either...

so their 'rvia' certified hvac guy.... 'properly sealed it' with dap clear silicone....

"we spent 3 whole days training in jackson center, and no one ever mentioned sikaflex, vulkem acryl-r or parbond..."

was the service managers response when i asked about the SILICONE on the roof!!!!

nice guys, but TOTALLY incompetent on the a/s side of things...

besides LEAKING from day one the work had to be completely redone, TWICE at the factory...

before all the silicone was really gone and the a/c leak free....

it always worries me when a DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT hasn't 'heard' of basic a/s essentials...

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Old 06-30-2008, 02:25 PM   #196
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The GM was the person who was unfamiliar with Vulkem. The service guy told me about the plastic sticking problem, the dicor. Anyway, I was not aware of the siloxane issue and did not use a solvent to remove it. What solvent would be appropriate? I just did a search on this forum for siloxene and came up with very little. Thanks in advance, 2air!
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Old 06-30-2008, 02:33 PM   #197
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...What solvent would be appropriate? I just did a search on this forum for siloxene...
i use 3m adhesive, wax, tar and silicone remover, but products will also remove silicone residuals....

search silicone (in this thread or subforum)

that is the commonly used name for the polysiloxane based sealants to AVOID on the exterior of 'streams...

Siloxane

Silicone

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Old 07-14-2008, 02:28 PM   #198
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I will have to echo some of Davidz71's comments, as far as my own experience goes with these sealants: I think Vulkem is a great, long lasting product, but it is sticky and messy, not to mention slow-curing, and not easy to use in small, detailed areas. I like it for big jobs, like installing/sealing my vista-view window, and completely sealing up the rear shell-floor-frame area. But for smaller jobs, like just sealing around window frames, storage compartment frames, and the like, I tried 2 different products, 2 years ago: Par-bond, and GE silicone ll formulated for aluminum, stainless, and other metals. The par-bond indeed looks all cracked, like it has shrunk, though so far I have noticed no leaks where I used it. The GE silicone (aluminum-silver colored) looks fresh, no cracking, no adhesion problems, no leaks. Will it last 30 years? I'll never know. Just my experience with the stuff, so far.- tim
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Old 09-03-2008, 08:32 PM   #199
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I've read through here and didn't see (Geocel Instant gutter seal...) saw some other gutter seal but not this one... It comes in aluminum grey.. anybody use it... I dipped some rivets in it that I used to patch old screw holes works great and matches.
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Old 09-19-2008, 10:36 AM   #200
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PeterH's window caulking technique

Okay, I just got my Vulkem from Andy. I am ready to try PeterH's technique on my Vista View windows. Question: Can I use thinner and a rag like Peter did with the Vulkem?
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