Replacing the sealant on the roof of a pop-top.
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 20:43
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racinrob
Rather than hijack a previous thread asking which sealant to use I just want to ask about the need to replace the sealant on the roof of my 5 yo 'van.
My caravan poptop roof is constructed from rounded aluminium angle bonded to flat fibreglass sheet and sealed with silastic (?). It's not leaking but I know Winnebago recommend checking or replacing the roof seal every twelve months, same with boats.
My question is does this sealant need cleaning out and replacing, how often and what's best to use ?
rr VKE 6678
Reply By: Uncle-Laurie - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 20:58
Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 20:58
Racinrob, about 18mths ago I did
mine and used a sealant called Butyl Mastic. It's a flexible sealant and did the job nicely.
cheers Unc
AnswerID:
473988
Reply By: Member - bill f (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 00:29
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 00:29
My van was leaking. Had it done while in T'ville.He used a wire brush on an angle grinder to clean it up & then 6 tubes of sika-flex pro to reseal. Came thru a couple of heavy storms & 2 days of rain with no leaks Bill
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 05:37
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 05:37
bill f
Good call mate
I 'll second that SIKA FLEX is the go, but make sure you
check the number, ion the pack to match your requirement.
Will stick schyte to a blanket
Even seal too
Cheers
Bucky
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:16
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:16
Agree with you guys,
We did our roof, hatch and body joins with Sika Flex Pro.
Yep, there are a few different types and you need to get the right one for the application you are using it for. No good getting the one that is more of an adhesive then a sealant. Sorry I can't remember which one I used on ours.
FC-15, I think, I could be wrong.
A great product anyway.
FollowupID:
748838
Follow Up By: Hairs & Fysh - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:22
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:22
Sorry, It was 11-FC.
Just went to the shed, found an old tube.
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748839
Reply By: Ozhumvee - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:33
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:33
The biggest thing is the preparation, the surfaces to be sealed/bonded must be cleaned with proper stuff to ensure that the bond lasts.
Sikaflex do have a special primer but I've successfully used the stuff that spraypainters use to wipe a car down before spraying.
AnswerID:
474017
Reply By: racinrob - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:45
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 07:45
Thanks all for your input, looks like SikaFlex is the way to go, I have used their products before with good results.
rr
AnswerID:
474018
Reply By: Member - Craig F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 15:22
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 15:22
I did my last year. Be it three weeks ago.
I purchased the sealent from my local caravan repairer. Thus confident that it would do the job. He charged me $6.50 a tube.
Turned out cheaper than bunnings.
AnswerID:
474032