Window Seal

[Tomahawk]

I re-installed one of my windows using .75 x.125 thick Butyl tape between the Aluminum frame and the fiberglass siding yesterday. After everything was tight, I trimmed all the excess Butyl tape away. I want to add a bead of non sag DICOR around the frame to finish it. I checked this morning and the Butyl Tale needed to be trimmed again. Now I am wondering if I should wait to add the DICOR. I was hoping some of you might have a suggestion for how log to wait or if waiting is necessary at all. Based on the amount of trimming this morning, I am glad I did not add DICOR yesterday.
I have a few comments about the process that might be useful to someone else in the future. First I wish I would have used .25 x .25 or a .25 diameter "rope". It would have been easier to place and easier to go around corners. It would be easier to ensure any imperfections were filled too. I got the Butyl tape at the local Camping World because they had it in stock, my local HD and Lowes did not. This was my first time using the Butyl Tape and taking the paper off it sucked. I am not sure if it was the age of the material or if it always acts this way. It seemed like it suck and tore where ever the "roll" had a corner. It took forever to to get the paper off. I was ready to give up and get new material before my wife saved me (more patient I guess).

[Brad Wilf]

Keep butyl tape in a fridge when not needed or at least over night before you install... makes a big difference. I usually give it a week or two to squish out before trimming and sealing.

FYI: don’t seal the bottom of the window frame, let’s water drain out is any gets in. Definitely tape all the way around, but just dicor seal the top and sides.

[CARS]

Sounds like you got some extremely old or very dry stock of butyl... that stuff usually falls off the paper if it's fresh, like putty. And yes, I agree with using the round stuff if you can get it, much easier to work with... good idea to carry some with you when you travel, it has many uses and comes in handy when you least expect it. Keep it in a sealed plastic bag to keep it fresh, it will last for years... Often this stuff will ooze for a short time after installation, but it can be sealed over without any worries, I would give it 72 hours.

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[green_plaid]

I waited a week using the same stuff from Camping world and it still oozed after I caulked it. At this point...caulk really only keeps the butyl clean and acts as a backup sealant to the butyl.