Let's Talk Caulk ...

We've touched on this topic in other threads      ...but I've been wondering more and more about the actual "process" of caulking/seam sealing.

Starting with a factory sealant job    ...what's first - - a good washing    ...correct?

Then what ? Do you try and remove/wipe away the base coat of sealant (that has now discolored) ?

Or, do you just cut off the tip on a tube of Polyseam Seal, run out a bead and smooth it into the seam(s) with your finger ?

And, what do you generally use as a solvent to clean up the old sealant and spills or overages of the new stuff. My guess would be Mineral Spirits.

Interested in hearing what other Pod owner have done and recommend.

Thanks in advance,

'Slogger

Slogger:

Well, I don't know what others do and yet I am also a newbie owner of an RPOD but I did find a sealer that works perfect.  We had a separation  the rear window.  As far as cleaning goes, strip or pull out any loose stuff first but don't dig into the window or door frames or the surface of the POD.

BTW, this comes from house/ranch repair living in a high prairie environment with temperature swings as much as 70 degrees in a day.  I had trouble keeping paint on the weather sides of our house until I discovered Vulkem 116.  It is a vulcanized rubbery compound that will take a few days to glaze over and then you can paint it.  You won't need to paint it on a POD but I can say that none of our window sills door frames that I have coated with the Vulkem and then painted have chipped, faded, peeled or showed any signs of wear.

The same is true around the window of our RPOD 171.  The rear window had some gaps in it and I sealed it with white Vulkem and no leaks or distortions or separating ever.  That stuff is wonderful.

I might mention that I have also used polyseamseal stuff to no great satisfaction at all.  Most of their claims are somewhat provincial and platitudinous to say the least.

If you want something that works, try the vulkem. You can get it at Home Depot in the paint section.   Just don't get any on your clothing or in your hair.

Burt

And if you did, we want to see the video.

  Well Burt thanks for all the info on the right way to use this product. I am smart enough to know not to use a propane torch to heat rocket fuel, but do have a few scars that say STUPID on my forehead.    Goose   

Me to Goose.