Community Forums

brandss · 11-08-2020, 09:31 AM

The caulk around our windshield needs some help. Noticed a piece of the caulk at the top had cracked and is hanging down. I don't have any leaks but I've never been happy with how it looks. It is also shrunk in about 1/4 inch, not level with the glass.

Is it worth trying to recaulk it or should I leave it be? Anyone know of the "caulk" to use and process. I've looked for videos and searched this forum but nothing has jumped out. Appreciate any thoughts on this.

dssl · 11-08-2020, 06:15 PM

If you decide to caulk Urethane caulk is what should be used. Make sure to mask carefully mask off the area around where you are putting it. I'm guessing if you do a search you will find some YouTube videos.

Ilvmygt · 11-08-2020, 10:24 PM

I used the urethane windshield caulk to reseal the dual pane windows in the coach. They suggested a power caulking gun because it is very thick and soaking the tube of caulk in hot water for a while before you use it. The soaking in hot water softened the caulk and made it easier to use.

Gary RVRoamer · 11-09-2020, 06:49 AM

Is it caulk or a rubber grommet? Caulk doesn't usually "hang down".

Ljwt330 · 11-09-2020, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Is it caulk or a rubber grommet? Caulk doesn't usually "hang down".

This was my first thought as well^^.

The windshields on my coach are held solely by urethane adhesive, first a bead to hold them to the frame, then a bead to seal and fill the gap around the perimeter. Urethane, from my experience, does not crack, separate, and hang down, though my experience is admittedly limited. Some windshields are installed with a gasket set in a bed of sealant or a gasket/trim piece is added to fill the gap, like on some cars.

Best to double check just what is hanging down. If it is urethane, you can trim away the loose piece, clean the area thoroughly with acetone or alcohol, and apply new urethane. It will adhere to itself.

Lowflyer1 · 11-09-2020, 09:17 AM

Wouldn't silicone sealant be better, more flexibility and UV resistant?

TomBr · 11-09-2020, 06:01 PM

Silicone has no place around an rv or anywhere else where it might need to be replaced, because once you get silicone on a surface nothing else, including silicone, will ever stick well again.

AlanTerry · 11-09-2020, 06:14 PM

Why not take it to safelite auto glass they have the proper tools and sealant.

fottip · 11-10-2020, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanTerry

Why not take it to safelite auto glass they have the proper tools and sealant.

Without knowing which make/model RV this involves, it's difficult to offer much advice. Is it a two-piece windshield, or a one-piece? I'll say this: Auto glass people normally do NOT have the expertise OR the equipment to deal with RV windshields.

When we had a problem with our DP single piece windshield, I had local people take a look, and the response was, "That's a big piece of glass". I never heard from them again.

We had the work done at the Tiffin Repair Center in Red Bay, and I watched with fascination as they did the replacement. They use a huge remote-controlled pneumatic suction device suspended from the ceiling to capture and remove the existing windshield and lower it to the floor, and also to attach to the new windshield and lift it into place and hold it there while sealant is applied to the gasket.

Then techs place the windshield into the gasket groove with the windshield still being supported by the suction cups. It's amazing to watch. My guess would be that no local automotive shops have such equipment.

Keith55 · 11-10-2020, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

The caulk around our windshield needs some help. Noticed a piece of the caulk at the top had cracked and is hanging down. I don't have any leaks but I've never been happy with how it looks. It is also shrunk in about 1/4 inch, not level with the glass.

Is it worth trying to recaulk it or should I leave it be? Anyone know of the "caulk" to use and process. I've looked for videos and searched this forum but nothing has jumped out. Appreciate any thoughts on this.

If your caulk is cracked, hanging down and shrunk a quarter of an inch you should take action. It's only a matter of time until a leak catches you by surprise and they never happen at a convenient time.