Vulkem???

[Happycampers]

Hello .. Is there anything special about this product?Is a good quality urethane the same thing?

[wingfoot321]

I have read on this site that Airstream has used it for years.

There is a good article on this subject on the web site airstreamdreams.com.

I am using vulkem 636 at the present time going over windows, vents, etc.

[53flyingcloud]

Annie1976

The way it was explained to me was..This stuff "cures" slower than some of the other stuff, thereby allowing it to better fill in the cracks, tight spaces, etc..Plus, it doesn't cause any undue damages to the aluminum skin's finish..
It's been used by Airstream for years and years with the correct result.
My question, that comes to mind, why re-invent the wheel?

Good luck to you on your choice~

ciao

[Inland RV Center, In]

The vulkem saga and myths continue.

Airstream uses "Vulkem 616" exclusively. We have a photo of the huge stack of boxes of it in Airstream's production line.

616 is much more expensive, because it is NOT the same as the 636 is claimed to be.

Airstream is far from stupid. If the 636 is the same except for labeling, then they would use it. They use the better material even though it costs more, because it does the intended job, as they want it to do.

The simple matter of the fact that 636 "IS NOT THE SAME AS 616, period.

Those that claim it is are ill informed and state absolutely to the contrary of what Airstream says.

I have that photo on a disc, but I will have to locate it. Once I do, I will be happy to post it.

Andy

[dinoburb]

I'm neutral on the whole subject of Vulkem, but the mfg. has supplied the necessary info to make an intelligent decision here:

http://www.gluguru.com/TechTables/MamecoTable.htm

No sales pitch, simply info.

Enjoy,

Sean

Retired Navy A-6E driver.

[Tinsel Loaf]

Andy, you da man and you are correct about 616. I replaced a panel on my AS myself using 616. Best sealant I have ever used. Came out to be a perfect job, that's why the factory uses it. Da.

[Inland RV Center, In]

The idea is its strength.

The hardness and tear strength of 616 far exceed that of 636.

But once again, many substitutes can be found for many different things.

"BUT" a substitute is not necessarily the "correct" product to use.

If we really get down to it, depending on a persons definition of "substitute," why buy an Airstream?

A Shasta does all the things an Airstream does, except you can't tow it as fast.

Airstream's are a work of art and quality. If a person chooses to reduce the overall or any part of that quality, it certainly is their choice. But, that does not make it gospel for another person, and that's the point of this.

Airstream uses 616, for many reasons. If someone wishes to use another product or quality of product, that again is their choice.

Every day of every week of every month, our staff hears "I WANT TO KEEP IT ORIGINAL." So be it. Then lets use what the factory uses, or better, but certainly not worse.

Airstream spends many thousands on product research. If they say what they use is the "best" then that is good enough for me.
Seldom, in my 37 years with them, have they proven to be wrong.

Therefore, it becomes difficult to understand how anyone can make a claim that Airstream is wrong, and that the product (vulkem) they sell, is even equal to or better than what the factory uses.

Cheaper, yes.

Better or equal to, no.

And then there are those that believe that "Silicone" sealers are great!!!!!!

Andy

[jdleezer]

Ok, being a newbie to Airstream ownership and restoration, I'm still confused. I just purchased Vulkem 636 from a restoration website (not inland RV) because of the statement below, which came from their website:

COLOR=blue]Because of the texture, Tremco does not recommend Vulkem 116/616/631 for the restoration of old Airstreams. Instead, they recommend Vulkem 636. Vulkem 636, like 116/616/631 is a premium slow-cure polyurethane sealant. Slow curing is important because the slower the cure, the higher the ratio of solvents to solids. The solvents are useful in cutting through any oil/grease that may be on the skin of the trailer.[/COLOR]

Is it possible that Vulkem 616 is better during the intitial building of an Airstream and Vulkem 636 better for restoration work because it is non-textured?

John

[Inland RV Center, In]

Unqualified "NO."

Replace what you take off.

Andy

[LeeA]

Originally posted by Inland RV Center, In
A Shasta does all the things an Airstream does, except you can't tow it as fast.

Just how fast do you guys tow your trailers??? My Shasta was pulled from Indiana to South Carolina and the guy said he averaged 70 mph and didn't even know the trailer was behind him... he pulled it down in a Chevy 3/4 ton extended cab truck.

Lee

[overlander76]

So Andy, you are saying to use the 616 period. I too just purchased 636 from Airstreamdreams.com (no offense, I just recently found Inland) and was led to believe that it was the correct product to use. I tried some and didn't like the way it looked finished, but that could have been the way I put it on too. I would like to use 616 if that's what I should be using before I finish the entire coach with the wrong stuff.

Thanks
Brian

And if you ever go to Estes Park in the future, please stop by.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally posted by overlander76
So Andy, you are saying to use the 616 period. I too just purchased 636 from Airstreamdreams.com (no offense, I just recently found Inland) and was led to believe that it was the correct product to use. I tried some and didn't like the way it looked finished, but that could have been the way I put it on too. I would like to use 616 if that's what I should be using before I finish the entire coach with the wrong stuff.

Thanks
Brian

And if you ever go to Estes Park in the future, please stop by.

Brian, it may be the technique you are using. Check this thread:
Tell me more about caulking

IMHO 616 is the only product to use for Panel replacement. Recaulking seams and windows I did not like the 616 at all. Its way to gritty and tough to work with.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Until proven wrong, the materials that Airstream uses or has used in production, should be after the fact as well.

Airstream uses 616 Vulkem in production, in spite of the fact that it costs more.

The answer is basic. Use quality materials if you want a quality job.

If the quality can be improved, great, do it.

But, if the quality is less than Airstream used or specified, then what we would be doing, and saying, is that Airstream used 616 Vulkem sealer, and spent more money doing so, than need be.

I don't think Airstream would be that foolish.

616 is the name of the game, as per Airstream, period.

Andy

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally posted by Inland RV Center, In

...

616 is the name of the game, as per Airstream, period.

Andy

They better use the best sealant. When I removed some of my windows and found how many of the rivets were just decoration because the window opening was cut to big during assembly, the massive amounts of vulkem 616 sure didn't make up for the poor workmanship...
And no they didn't leak, must be some good stuff.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Attached is the photo I promised that was taken September 10, 2002, in Airstreams production line.

It clearly shows the type Vulkem used by them.

Again, it is used in spite of the fact that it is more expensive, because it does the superior job that Airstream desires.

Andy

[montanaandy]

Andy

Does Inland RV carry the 616? If so, how much per tube and approximately how many would I need to seal a new Fantastic Vent install + a new shroud (from Inland) for the Armstrong AC unit?

Thanks

Montanaandy

[Inland RV Center, In]

We carry the Vulkem 616.

You would have more than enough with one tube to seal the fantastic vent.

It is not necessary to use any sealer on the AC shroud, new or old.

I will PM the cost.

Andy