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TheCatsRV · 10-11-2021, 08:07 PM

I have a new-to-me '07 Coachmen Mirada. The sealant that covers the joint between the front cap and side body panel is some sort of textured rubberised(?) tape that is cracking. Just wondering how one bonds this joint? RV sealant? Remove the tape or just tape over and with what?

Thanks

Lowflyer1 · 10-12-2021, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCatsRV

I have a new-to-me '07 Coachmen Mirada. The sealant that covers the joint between the front cap and side body panel is some sort of textured rubberised(?) tape that is cracking. Just wondering how one bonds this joint? RV sealant? Remove the tape or just tape over and with what?

Thanks

Sounds like the current sealant might be Eternabond tape?
Pics would help.

TheCatsRV · 10-12-2021, 03:49 PM

This is what it looks like

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnrZHGaAwtashJVX...-bABg?e=L9ZBIT

How is the joint between the caps and side panels usually sealed?

chuckftboy · 10-12-2021, 06:02 PM

I'm not familiar with that tape but Pro Flex by Geocel is used by a lot or manufactures to seal that type of joint. It comes in clear, black and white.

TheCatsRV · 10-12-2021, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckftboy

I'm not familiar with that tape but Pro Flex by Geocel is used by a lot or manufactures to seal that type of joint. It comes in clear, black and white.

Thanks. I've been told by an RV shop to take the stuff off with a heat gun first. Are they right?

I am getting some mechanicals done to the RV before putting it under cover for the winter.

Argosy · 10-13-2021, 09:55 AM

The tape looks like an add on by a previous owner. If you look where it has peeled off in your picture you can see the caulk applied by the manufacturer.

New sealer needs to be applied to the body and trim. The tape is going to continue to crack, anything you put over the top is going to be loose because it's bonded to loose tape.

It will probably take a heat gun to loosen the tape, plastic putty knives to scrape it and solvent to clean all the adhesive off. The little bit of manufacturer sealer visible looks OK, it's hard to tell why the tape is there in the first place.

If you take the tape off it's another big job to clean the original sealer to reseal the trim. The tape is pulling off the sealer first from the way it looks. You could pick it away from the sealer looking for any sign of a bad section in the manufacturer sealer that caused a leak. If not decide from the what you want to do.

TheCatsRV · 10-13-2021, 10:46 AM

Thanks. No idea why the tape is there. Assuming I get the tape off and create a cleans surface, what is the best/proper sealant/caulk to use? I kow it isn't silicon.

Lowflyer1 · 10-14-2021, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCatsRV

Thanks. No idea why the tape is there. Assuming I get the tape off and create a cleans surface, what is the best/proper sealant/caulk to use? I kow it isn't silicon.

I've heard Geocel Pro Flex RV sealant is good. It comes in white, clear, black.
I just used some clear on my joints and marker lights.

Teamfoxy · 10-14-2021, 06:19 AM

When you get the tape off you can use Xylene to clean up the residue. It will not harm paint if it spills. The correct roofing caulk is Dicor self leveling caulk. Proflex is for verticle seams, not roofs.