Scared to ask: SILICONE

[luvoldstuff]

Well I searched a little bit but couldn't find an answer. Why is silicone sealant bad to use on an airstream? I know I should know right?
It is definitely a bad word on this forum. Does it harm the aluminum?
Nothing worse than a bad caulk job on a camper, I know!
......but I found a page out of an airstream manual about sealing the curved windowsin my '68 they(airstream) said use SILICONE- Work it into the hinge and cracks.
I don't have a problem using something else (vulkem, parbond etc.)
but I will admit I have used A LITTLE silver GE Si#$@one around my tail lights and "thought" it looked great.....but.......just wondering?

[eljay]

The acetic acid in the silicone etches the aluminum. Does not always provide a good seal and the present of the silicone prevents anything else from creating a seal. The hinges for our windows are a different beast than the seams. Working the silicone into the window hinge is the preferred method.

[dkottum]

Eventually all sealants begin to fail and need replacing. You haven't been to hell if you haven't tried to remove a bunch of old silicone.

doug k

[luvoldstuff]

So just so I do it "right" Is there a list of what sealants are best and where?
Beltline
windows
vents
I know dicor is good stuff and it comes in gray, it looks like the stuff around my '93's vents??
I know you better maintain these areas, because my friends 2010 flying cloud is in the shop for leaks (3rd time) and a good bit of rotten floor-the first time they (warranty AS dealer) covered the rotten area under the dinette with diamond plate aluminum and said hear you go "fixed it"
It has leaked again and has rotted more- he bought the AS after years of throwing his money away on thrown-together box campers. I feel bad for him, he tried to do the right thing.

[eljay]

Vulkem/Trempro 636 for the large seams. Parbond for the smaller seams. I'm not familiar with Dicor.

These trailers need planned maintenance. Inspection and planned resealing depending on use, storage, environment. I'm in Missouri and my trailer is stored outside. The environment is different for you being in Jax. Salt water and different sun exposure are likely culprits for you.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by eljay

The acetic acid in the silicone etches the aluminum.

Well that is only in some types of silicone, GE silicone 1 has it but not GE silicone 2 or their silicone for flashing or the one for aluminum.

A big part of the problem is the misleading advertizing of companies that sell silicone. After all how can 1 company sell more then 50 different products that are all 100% pure silicone?

[luvoldstuff]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Well that is only in some types of silicone, GE silicone 1 has it but not GE silicone 2 or their silicone for flashing or the one for aluminum.

A big part of the problem is the misleading advertizing of companies that sell silicone. After all how can 1 company sell more then 50 different products that are all 100% pure silicone?

The one I picked up is S II Metallic Grey, looks silver( I was in a bind, rain was pouring in around my tail light housings on my new metal frame.)
It says "for metal and aluminum" so I guess it doesn't have the acid?

Dicor seamseal grey is for rubber and metal it is self leveling and does not harden, I would only use it around roof vents. Used a lot on box camper roofs.

I have used vulkem, but not tempro- how does it perform and does it come in a grey/silver? I don't plan on using much of that S II, even though it seems "okay". thanks

My friends 2010 AS floor was rotten within 2 years of picking it up. (new)
You wouldn't think it would need re-sealing that quickly.

[Aviator]

Our trailer is stored outside in GA. I have found that a two year reseal interval works well. I tried to go to three years and had a leak...yuck, but now I get to replace the carpet.

[Minno]

Trempro is a brand name for a Vulkem replacement product. There are different types of it (go by numbers). You want what Inland RV or VTS sells.

Kay

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by luvoldstuff

......but I found a page out of an airstream manual about sealing the curved windowsin my '68 they(airstream) said use SILICONE- Work it into the hinge and cracks.
.......just wondering?

I think if you re-read this page in the manual you will find it is telling you to use liquid silicone lubricant (not caulk) to keep moving parts from sticking and gaskets flexible.