Community Forums

jimws · 08-03-2013, 09:57 AM

I'm going to be resealing the cap, vents & antenna of our 5er with Eternabond. Is there any trick to easily removing the caulk in preparation for the Eternabond?

Thanks in advance.

Johnontheroad · 08-03-2013, 10:09 AM

I had the same question when I had a 40ft Travel Supreme that had a roof seal that didn't. It just so happened that I was at a rally where we had a presentation from the Eternabond company. So I asked the same question.

He said that not to worry about it. Just clean the roof the best you can, then use acetone (be sure to use gloves, mask and be safe) to clean and prime the area and stick on the Eternabond. Did that, worked perfect.

I had already tried to remove some of the old caulk, awful job that didn't work well either, so this was MUCH better.

== John

DonavonP · 08-03-2013, 01:13 PM

3M 4412N is an alternative to Eternabond.

GaryKD · 08-03-2013, 01:15 PM

Hi jimws,
I agree with JohnCamelot. I did the same thing. About 5 years ago I put EternaBond on all my roof seals. This was done as a preventive step. The EternaBond has worked as advertised. In another 5 years I do it all over again. EternaBond put it down and forget it for 10 years.

Gary RVRoamer · 08-04-2013, 08:37 AM

Heating the caulk usually makes it somewhat easier to remove. Try a hair dryer - a heat gun can be too hot for the roofing material.

Personally, I would not use Eternabond around a vent pipe or antenna. I think caulk is much easier to "wraparound" small openings. Tape works better on straight runs.
I would level the old caulk enough so that the tape can lay reasonably smooth and flat. It needs to have a firm, reasonably clean surface to adhere to. If the tape is over a lumpy or crack, there may be a tiny opening under it that allows water incursion, in which case you better hope the old caulk is still intact. Better to smooth the old caulk enough to get the tape to make a good seal, or use tape wide enough so that it seals to the roof surface beyond the existing caulk line.

DonDee · 08-04-2013, 08:41 AM

I use an oscillating tool with the "knife" blade accessory. Worked very well.

Fl_Richard · 08-04-2013, 02:05 PM

X2 ^^

MSHappyCampers · 08-04-2013, 03:33 PM

You don't need to remove the caulk to use Eternabond. Just clean the caulk and surrounding area with acetone or alcohol and the Eternabond will seal fine. I would use the 4" Eternabond.

I would use the Dicor 502LSW self-leveling sealant on all the smaller openings such as vent pipes, TV antenna, etc.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!