Community Forums

Bobb.25 · 08-29-2013, 12:39 PM

While I was on the fiberglass roof of our RV this morning, replacing the sealant around the OTA TV antenna, I noticed that the sealant along the joint between the fiberglass roof and the front cap is looking questionable,...numerous small cracks. In the opinion of the experienced folks on this forum, would I be better advised to chip out all of the old sealant on the seam to the front cap, and then replace with new self leveling lap sealant, or could I opt to make sure it is relatively smooth, and cover the joint with 4 inch wide Eternabond tape?
The tape option looks easier and quicker, albeit somewhat more expensive.
Bob

HabitatGuy · 08-29-2013, 12:53 PM

I have been pondering the same thing. Seems like the E-bond would be a better and longer lasting seal.

greystroke · 08-29-2013, 12:58 PM

For mine i might do a little of both.

logansrun · 08-29-2013, 01:03 PM

My solution for mine was heat gun to remove all old sealant.......refill valleys with sikaflex sealant.....then 4"wide eternabond over that...might last for a few more years hopefully!!!!

bruceisla · 08-29-2013, 01:12 PM

Mine is a little different ... 1997 HR Endeavor. I replaced the original "looks similar to Eternabond" tape between the fiberglass cap and the aluminum roof with Eternabond. Areas around entry points (like vents) are done in Dicor. No issues so far !!

Stealth01 · 08-29-2013, 04:36 PM

In 2003 I put 4" wide E-Bond tape over the forward and aft lap joints. Ten years later when we traded it in it was still going strong!

Stan.Birch · 08-29-2013, 04:55 PM

My experience with Dicor sealant, is that it is really crappy stuff with a six month life before it needs to be re-dressed! If you have a rubber roof, then you are stuck with using this kind of stuff!

With a fiberglass roof, you options are completely open. For sealing around an antenna, you can do much better than with Home Depot grade polyurethane sealant. If you prep the surface properly, it will last for decades!

GaryKD · 08-29-2013, 05:55 PM

EternaBond is the answer. Put it on and forget it for 10 years.

JRMEDPHYS · 08-30-2013, 07:27 AM

I just cleaned the existing stuff up really good on both sides with acetone and then went right over all of it with the 6" Eternabond. Looks great. Excellent seal. No leaks. Would do it all over again if I had to.

mikebreeze · 08-30-2013, 07:45 AM

I use both. Eternabond for seams and larger areas. Dicor for around vents and other things as well as around the Eternabond.

akeyzoo · 08-30-2013, 11:08 AM

I replaced my 8 year old dicor with dicor. dicor seemed to work fine so I used the same. Took about 5 hours to scrape and clean it all off (I also replaced a skylight) and apply new.

t55watson · 08-30-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMEDPHYS

I just cleaned the existing stuff up really good on both sides with acetone and then went right over all of it with the 6" Eternabond. Looks great. Excellent seal. No leaks. Would do it all over again if I had to.

My roof, all joints, are done with 6" Ebond. I felt safer with a bigger overlap on the old sealant than with 4". 9 years and counting.

JFXG · 08-30-2013, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan.Birch

My experience with Dicor sealant, is that it is really crappy stuff with a six month life before it needs to be re-dressed! If you have a rubber roof, then you are stuck with using this kind of stuff!

Clarify for me please. Can you NOT use Eternabond on rubber?

justimagination · 08-30-2013, 03:53 PM

Bob, I think the obvious is Eternabond followed by SELF LEVELING DICOR LAP SEALANT, when you apply the sealer, don't try to make it look good by smoothing out, it does it's job. Good luck/Travel safe.
david g.