Blobs of silicone on screws?

[Kistler]

Was reading another posting here and silicone doesn't seem to be a good answer for sealing on Airstreams--vulcam or parbond preferred...

I have only washed my TT twice (it never rains here) but each time I have I noticed I "dislodged" a blob of what looks like silicone on the screws above the windows--in the rain gutter.

Should I be replacing this?

[85MH325]

That's an interesting question, Kistler! After reading your post, I just went out and looked at the window gutters on my '94. They're all riveted. No screws. The crack is sealed with Vulkem or something similar.

Has Thor done something different, perhaps to cut production costs in later years?

I guess I'd check all of your window gutters. If they all came with 'blobs of silicone', I suppose it was for a reason and should be replaced. I've always avoided silicone like the plague on my Airstreams, but things change...

Roger

[norbert]

I guess to find the answer you would have to take the factory tour... over the years in manufacturing silicone has become the answer to everthing...if they squirted some in the hole then shot the screw in... the blob would not be missed... if the blob dont fit you must aquit.... ...norby...

[Silvertwinkie]

No screws on mine either....but on a different note, the wood screws on the inside upper cabs constantly unscrew while in transit. I took some wood glue on one and it didn't really hold. I took some silicone clear caulk and it now holds them in just fine.

Eric

[sjptak]

silicone. How did we ever get along without it? The last place I worked, a SS leg fell off of a SS sink table. The welder was sent up to weld the leg back on. The Hobart portable MIG wasn't set up for SS (he would've had to change the wire), he didn't feel like carrying the unit or the gas, IOW, he was just plain lazy. He brought in the caulking gun, squirted the top of the leg and put it in place. As far as I know, its still there. That was 6 mos ago.

[Silvertwinkie]

I hear ya. In my car, the factory placed the trans cooler right behind the bumper so it didn't get good or any airflow. I cut a square out of the front bumper cover to get some airflow to it. I painted some gutter mesh and installed it to protect the cooler from rocks, etc.

Well as you might have guessed, I attached it using silicone! Works like a charm!

Silicone is great stuff!

Eric

[Kistler]

OK, I will have to go look; maybe they are rivets but in any case shall I try to "re-blob" with silicone. I have some parbond and vulcam on hand by the way

[Silvertwinkie]

I think you should use the Vulcam, I think we were just talking shop about how much we like using silicone for other odds and ends. If you have a leak right now and it is going to rain, then a bit of silicone to help protect it or some tape until you can get the Vulcam in might be good, but you will have to make sure you get all of the silicone out and or tape glue otherwise I don't think it will bond very well. If no moisture is in it's future, I'd just wait for the Vulcam.

Just my .02.

Eric

[norbert]

used to be in the hvac business...the manufacturer used to build heat exchangers and glue them together....that red stuff is awesome....norby

[Kistler]

Believe me it is dry here I will clean carefully and use vulcam. I don't think the awesome "red stuff" will go well with my color scheme

Do you think it will bond in smoke? The TT is in covered storage at the base of the Catalina Mtns. I am thinking of bringing her home even though the "controlled community" patrol will report me. We are surrounded by houses with tile roofs and rock yards.

Kistler