Community Forums

DragRacer68 · 06-02-2017, 01:37 PM

What's a good product to reseal the joints inside the rear wheel wells on my 2000 Dutch Star. When I drive in the rain, I'm getting water coming into the compartments in front and behind the wheels. What is there appears to be cracked / separating at the bottom around the steel frame work and plastic liner panels. Newmar used a light gray rubber type sealant. Suggestions?

Thanks
Craig

mikelm48 · 06-02-2017, 02:53 PM

I used a sealant and then undercoat. Check the compartment floor in front of the wheelwells, a number of people have had to replace the floor due to the same leak.

Luv2go · 06-02-2017, 03:16 PM

The light gray stuff is probably Sikaflex 221, one of Newmar's favorite sealants. I bought a tube off Amazon for about $12.

GaryKD · 06-02-2017, 03:30 PM

Hi DragRacer68,
Did Newmar put wheel well liners in the wheel wells of your coach? I ask because wheel well liners will eliminate most of the water force pounding against the joints. I cleaned, wire brushed and gave the joints several coats of Flex Seal. Took all weekend allowing for drying time. Then had Newmar install wheel liners. All compartments are bone dry.

Consider Flex Seal. They sell it in several different dispensing methods. Go to https://www.flexsealsale.com/FLXSL/5...948&otsid=2499 and take a look. For me between Flex Seal and EternaBond I'm set for just about anything.

DragRacer68 · 06-02-2017, 03:38 PM

GaryKD, I have a big 'mudflap' behind the wheels that goes up to the top of the wheel well, is that what you mean by a liner? Was considering doing the same in front of the tire to keep 90% of the water off of the joints etc.

SikaFlex221, thanks Luv2go, I've heard of that before maybe I can get some local today.

I have some RV roof sealer paste in a quart can I was contemplating using but it may not like vertical surfaces.

GaryKD · 06-02-2017, 03:58 PM

Hi DragRacer68,
I do not think so. The wheel well liners I am talking about begin at one end of the wheel well and curve around the wheel well and end at the other end of the wheel well. The liner is as wide as the wheel well. Google " wheel well liner" to get a picture.

DragRacer68 · 06-02-2017, 07:32 PM

Thanks Gary I know what you mean now. Looks like that will be an upcoming project. Got some Sikaflex 221 tonite and sealed all the lower joints, nasty stuff, should hopefully fix the leak for now.

Rotten-Red · 06-02-2017, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragRacer68

What's a good product to reseal the joints inside the rear wheel wells on my 2000 Dutch Star. When I drive in the rain, I'm getting water coming into the compartments in front and behind the wheels. What is there appears to be cracked / separating at the bottom around the steel frame work and plastic liner panels. Newmar used a light gray rubber type sealant. Suggestions?

Thanks
Craig

Roofing cement tar in the one gallon container. Clean the surface best that you can and apply liberally with a flat wood stick. I use a shimming shingle you buy in small bundles at home centers. They usually are about 2" wide and 1' long. No clean up, just use and throw away. The tar sticks well to vertical surfaces. It's black so it blends in well with the underbody.

I've been using this method since I owned a 1965 VW bug which was prone to rusting out everywhere. My electrical bay behind the left rear wheel used to fill with water every time I ran in the rain. After sealing with the roofing cement I can run in rain all day and still have a bone dry compartment.

Brad Felmey · 06-02-2017, 08:39 PM

It's seam sealer from a body shop supply.

USMCRET · 06-03-2017, 04:28 AM

Hey GaryKD, are those liners carried by Newmar parts dept?

GaryKD · 06-03-2017, 06:59 AM

Hi USMCRET,
The Newmar service department ordered them so I assume the parts department can order them. They do not carry them in stock. If you want to DIY the install they can, most likely, drop ship them anywhere.