Roof sealing
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10886
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 11:09pm
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Topic: Roof sealing
Posted By: MIK
Subject: Roof sealing
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2017 at 8:52am
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Got new rpod in July. When winterizing, just 4 months later, I find that some seals are cracked Apparently, warranty on the sealant is only 90 days. So I have to fix it myself. Should I peal the existing sealant off (it's mostly fine except for the corners of the vent), or is it ok to seal on top of the existing sealant? PS. Attention to detail on Rpod assembly leaves a lot to be desired.
------------- 2018 R-Pod 180 |
Replies:
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2017 at 9:32am
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You're right MIK. Looks like they turned some Chimpanzies loose on the assembly. Don't take this as the final word, but being a painter all my life, and I'm doing this to mine, just take off the loose, cracked, or separating stuff. Any more is not necessary in my opinion, not to mention it's more work. I scrape gently with a small scraper (maybe a flathead screwdriver), being careful not to gouge too deep, then clean with some lacquer thinner and rag, then use silicone sealant. I got that at Lowes, they have different colors. I think the stuff they use on the top, as sloppy as it was applied, will keep out water, so I only clean that. Again, this is just me, somebody else in here might differ. ------------- |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2017 at 9:54am
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If you are using lacquer thinner make sure you don't get it on any plastic or paint , it will eat it. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2017 at 10:23am
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You might also want to consider using alcohol to clean the surface. It doesn't leave a residue and doesn't hurt the roof finish. There are some self leveling RV roof sealants that come in caulk tubes you may want to consider. It may bond to the existing sealant a little better, provided the surface onto which you're putting the sealant is cleaned well and dry. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2017 at 1:34pm
thanks for these tips. They're right on! Over the years as a painter, I've learned to use lacquer thinner to get something done quicker, but you have to be careful. Alcohol is not as strong, but safer. The roof is hard to get to. I cleaned mine the best I could, and I'm going to apply Miniers (Sp) wax, but it looks like even though whoever did the sealing was late for lunch,it looks like there is nothing that would cause a leak. But if something is coming off, like lostagain says, clean it, let it dry and use what he says...  ------------- |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 7:24am
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Will have to inspect mine again. I did notice how messy this sealant is applied....mine even had sawdust embedded in it. Why do you think it cracked? Sun? Flexing of the vent or bad installation? ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: MIK
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 9:18am
The sealant is soft and in a good shape. By the look of it, it cracked because corners of the vent don't lie flat on the roof, and flexing away from it. Basically, it stretched and ripped the sealant. I guess, to prevent this from happening, sealant needs to be pushed under the plastic between roof and the vent. It's the same with the rear spoiler. It's a very light plastic that flexes between mount points, ripping the sealant. I might install eternabond tape next year. ------------- 2018 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 9:44am
| Sunlight does not help caulking. I think a product called Dicor would be something you might want consider. |
Posted By: MIK
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 10:08am
That's the one I ordered. Planning to fix it this weekend. ------------- 2018 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: wooleeman
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2017 at 7:17pm
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I recently used Dicor Diseal tape on my spoiler. Unsightly but it works great. I placed it over the screws on top and sides. Went through two rainstorms with no leaks so far. I am actually going to experiment on a test piece of tape and see if I can buff down the shiny surface of the tape and paint to match the roof so it will blend in. ------------- 2022 RP-202 2016 RP-179 (Sold 9/2020) 2014 Silverado Crew Cab. 6-1/2' Bed Golden Retriever (DOB 6/16/2020) English Bulldog (RIP 6/15/2020) |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 7:56am
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The last time I used Dicor self-leveling sealant was on our 172 when I was doing maintenance on the cracked sealant around the roof openings. It works well on relatively flat surfaces, though it's kind of unsightly if not carefully applied. Personally, I would try to apply it on a really warm day so it is more viscous and will penetrate the cracks better. For something like the spoiler on sloped back style r-Pods, I used the Dicor Eternabond tape with good success. Oh, and cleaning the surface before application is really important for a good bond. Some use mineral solvents. I prefer denatured alcohol rinsed off with water because it leaves no residue. Hope you application works well. Fred ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Dirt Sifter
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 9:28am
------------- Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE '07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages 1 Puggle, 1 Chihuahua support staff |
Posted By: voisj
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2021 at 10:53am
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Mine had a crack around 3 sides. I decided to remove it completely and re-install. Once removed it became obvious what the problem was. They installed the fan off center and the screws missed the aluminum ceiling joist on 1 side and of the screws that did hit joists didn't penetrate the joist and just pushed the plywood up off the joist in spots. so the fan never really sealed in some places. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13910&title=fan-leak-repair - Here's the post about it. with pictures. Good Luck! John ------------- http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426&title=slopod-180-mods-johnsue - SLOPODMODS John&Sue,SLO,CA 2016 180 HRE, 2013 F150 Eco Boost 
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