Community Forums

tnsteele · 01-13-2014, 01:05 PM

Just went up on the roof of my 05 Dutchstar and some of the sealant around the vents etc is looking a bit old. Had a small leak this fall in a rainstorm around my fantastic vent and toilet vent. Should I take the old sealant off and re-seal or just seal over what is up there. The roof is in good shape and the work around the vents looks fair - but It did leak in the wicked rainstorm,

Mr_D · 01-13-2014, 01:13 PM

I clean off any sealant that's loose, then clean the area and add the Dicor.

Hooligan · 01-13-2014, 01:25 PM

This may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsCoHAqKO9Q

osok · 01-13-2014, 01:57 PM

Hooligan, good information, thanks.

dennis45 · 01-13-2014, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I clean off any sealant that's loose, then clean the area and add the Dicor.

I concur, while you are up there, have a look at the Silicone sealant on the joints for the front and rear caps. I found mine were showing signs of cracking so chipped away the old Silicone, cleaned and put in new Clear Marine Grade Silicone to each joint. Good for another 10 years.

gruelens · 01-13-2014, 02:43 PM

I encourage you to make the change from caulking to Eternabond Tape. The tape is far superior to caulk and easier to apply. Use the search feature of the forum to gets lots of info.

zmotorsports · 01-13-2014, 03:36 PM

While the Eternabond is great for covering seams such as a front or rear end cap to roof, the Dicor or Sikaflex 715 are both self leveling and great for sealing fasteners where they penetrate through the roof.

I use a little Mineral Spirits and a paper towel to clean where the crack or small opening is and then allow to thoroughly evaporate/dry before applying the self leveling sealant.

Mike.

Clayobx · 01-13-2014, 04:00 PM

I would remove all the existing sealant to insure moisture is not present! The Eternabond is a terrific product but very difficult to use around vents etc. the self leveling products will be easier to use and do a great job. DO NOT use silicone sealant of any form! Boatyard owner operator for twenty years.

Snomas1 · 01-15-2014, 09:14 AM

I installed Eternabond on front, rear and side seams and use Dicor on all other areas.

RVluvin · 01-15-2014, 10:52 PM

I'm a DIYer for most things, but when my roof caulking was dried and cracked, and the rubber tape on the front and rear cap was curling up, I didn't mess around with doing something I wasn't real sure on what I was doing and didn't want to risk a leak or ceiling water marks. I paid a local RV repair facility $300 to reseal the entire roof.

waynesc · 01-16-2014, 05:22 AM

RVluvin, How old was your roof and how big?
Mine is five years old and have not had a problem but think its time to re-seal.

RVluvin · 01-17-2014, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynesc

RVluvin, How old was your roof and how big?
Mine is five years old and have not had a problem but think its time to re-seal.

My coach is 35', fiberglass roof. At the time, it was only 3 yrs old, although the PO kept it at a storage facility. My only guess is that the shade structure must have been aluminum and the AZ heat just cook it. I had a 5er 5yrs old, out in the direct AZ sun, and it was still ok. I don't think you can put a time interval, just replace when needed.