Community Forums

SoupsOn · 04-27-2022, 08:56 AM

I’ve been assuming to reseal seams, etc., with Dicor self leveling lap sealant.

However, it looks to me that I need to adhere the sheet metal to the MH better before applying a sealant to the seams.

What products and processes do you recommend?

1993 Gulfstream Friendship 37’

Tha_Rooster · 04-27-2022, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoupsOn

I’ve been assuming to reseal seams, etc., with Dicor self leveling lap sealant.

However, it looks to me that I need to adhere the sheet metal to the MH better before applying a sealant to the seams.

What products and processes do you recommend?

1993 Gulfstream Friendship 37’

Hard to believe it came with sheet metal.

SoupsOn · 04-27-2022, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Hard to believe it came with sheet metal.

It’s metal. Unless I’m missing something….?

Tha_Rooster · 04-27-2022, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoupsOn

It’s metal. Unless I’m missing something….?

I believe it came with a rubber roof someone added sheet metal. Looks like all edges need secured down with screws then use a sealant tape.

SoupsOn · 04-27-2022, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

I believe it came with a rubber roof someone added sheet metal. Looks like all edges need secured down with screws then use a sealant tape.

About how far from the edge would you recommend the screws? And what size?

I’m imagining about 1” from the edge and 1 1/4” size 10?

SoupsOn · 04-27-2022, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

I believe it came with a rubber roof someone added sheet metal. Looks like all edges need secured down with screws then use a sealant tape.

I have a roll of EternaBond - that I had decided against using. Clearly rethinking that…

And need to remove the existing Dicor? Or cover over?

Tha_Rooster · 04-28-2022, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoupsOn

I have a roll of EternaBond - that I had decided against using. Clearly rethinking that…

And need to remove the existing Dicor? Or cover over?

Remove loose stuff don’t think you could remove all.

153stars · 04-28-2022, 11:03 AM

RV trim molding made to hold metal down or cover a seam would be best bet. A quick search brought 96" pieces of aluminum part the vinyl would come in rolls.

Argosy · 04-29-2022, 05:02 AM

I'd take the metal off and clean it up on the ground. It's going to take a lot of work to clean all the old caulk off and it will be easier on the ground than on your knees, bent over on the roof. Get either a stiff sharp (and keep it sharp) steel putty knife or a handful of dollar store knives and shave off as much as you can. Xylene will turn what's left to goo, it's a lot easier to get off- get some good heavy chemical resistant gloves.

For any sealant to work it needs a clean solid surface. That means the sun burned paint needs to come off. If you don't do that the sealant will start lifting as the small chips of paint release, and with the condition it won't take long.

Once you get clean surfaces on the sheet metal and fiberglass I'd screw it down with self drilling self tapping (Tek) screws and cover it with 4" alumibond Eternabond tape. Do it right and you'll never have a leak and won't have to worry about resealing it every few years.

SoupsOn · 04-29-2022, 12:14 PM

With all the other major maintenance needs this thing has, removing and reinstalling the roof may be a future project, but I’ll have to apply a different solution for the time being.

Thankfully, Most (but not all, clearly) of the edge is still adhered pretty well.

Sorry for the upside down pictures!

Jim_HiTek · 03-21-2023, 10:09 AM

I would scrape off as much of the old sealant as possible and cover the seams and edges with Eternabond tape. It comes in 2",4",6" widths, in white/black/other colors and if the surface is clean and dry, it goes down and stays down.

Here's a couple pictures of one of my end caps getting the treatment. It was just one day before a big storm so the air was heavy with moisture so this application of Ebond lasted for 2 years. Once I redid it in dry desert conditions, it's stayed put, 5 years so far.

And after application...

Here's my ad free blog write up about the work: Roof and Roof Items...

Tim Adam · 03-21-2023, 01:20 PM

There are certain construction sealants and adhesives that could bond the 2 surfaces together again, but I solidly agree with @Argosy & @Jim HiTek that all surfaces should be extremally clean or the repair will fail. Also agree that the Eternabond Tape is a great DIY solution, again provided the surface is clean. They also make a tape that is paintable and designed to be used with a coating system for an additional layer of protection.

johnhicks · 03-21-2023, 08:58 PM

If you use Eternabond you MUST use a hard roller and lots of pressure. The initial stickiness is just for positioning; the pressure of rolling is what bursts all those microcapsules (or something like that) and makes it stick.

The paintable, non-shiny Eternabond will go around things and over bumps much better than the slick tape. Once it's cured go over it with Hengs or something similar. The stickum makes it waterproof, not the substrate.