Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Installing Stainless Steel Sink

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Installing Stainless Steel Sink

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: Non-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Same as podmods, just... not for pods
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12561
Printed Date: 05 May 2025 at 8:08am
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Topic: Installing Stainless Steel Sink

Posted By: David and Danette
Subject: Installing Stainless Steel Sink
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 9:34am

I am installing a new stainless steel sink in our camper with a formica counter top. Which is best for a sealant acrylic caulk or plumbers putty? Or is there something better than those two? Instructions say to use acrylic caulk but I am reading that will dry and crack over time and the vibration of the camper while traveling would increase the likelihood of it failing. I have read a good quality latex caulk is good but maybe that is only for a house where there would be limited vibration. I have used plumbers putty before in a camper and seemed not to be a problem wanted to know if it would be better to use something different.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Replies:

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 10:04am

Use plumbers putty at the drain connection, and under the bowl rim if it is a drop in. Silicone at the edges.

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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 10:26am

I used silicone sealant for around the sink, the same as when I replaced the kitchen and the bathroom sinks in our house. The silicone holds up very well. I used silicone at the drain connections also. I have seen plumbers putty dried out and cracked. Then it leaks. I have not seen silicone dry out and leak.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 12:33pm

I used some silicone that I had but not sure if I used enough it was difficult to squeeze out of tube and thought it was going to dry before I finished. Will know in time if it leaks or not. The sink looks good and it is larger than the small plastic one from factory. I was surprised to find out for the counter top the factory used plywood instead of MDF. Now I need to go to Lowes for plumbing parts to finish the job.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 5:20pm

You can use a good quality epoxy to seal the counter top. Something like West System that is designed for boat building works great. Once it is sealed, it can never get wet.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 5:58pm

+1 to GlueGuy's suggestion to seal the exposed MDF around the sink cutout prior to installing the sink If you use West Systems Gflex epoxy or the equivalent it will seal the MDF edge even if its still a little damp and it remains flexible so shouldn't peel off.

Silicone or a good polyurethane sealant like Sikaflex around the sink flange is good to make it easier to remove if you need to in the future. If you use epoxy for that its not ever coming off.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 6:55pm

In the future if I do any more plumbing in the camper I will buy the Pex tools and fittings for plumbing repairs. The original Pex plumbing in camper did not match up to the new sink faucet, so I bought flexible hose with fittings used for a toilet to get the faucet connected. Not the best job if I had the Pex tools and fittings it would have been a better plumbing job. The camper is winterized so I will not be able to test everything until the weather gets warmer. If it leaks I will get the Pex tools and fittings and fix it the proper way. I got a little aggravated with it the space to work around sink was very tight. I could never be a plumber. My father in law had a large plumbing company if he were still alive he would be shaking his head because I did not do it correctly. The original plastic sink was installed crooked so at least I got the new sink square with the counter top. Woodworking I am familiar with not plumbing.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2019 at 6:43am

I think you'll find that pex is great for non-plumbers. I used to hate plumbing too, but not now. Even in tight spots all you have to do is slide on the crimp, slip in the fitting, then reach in there with the crimp tool, squeeze and done. Its like the old Geico commercial, its so easy even a cave man (aka rPod owner) can do it.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2019 at 3:33pm

I bought a iCrimp PEX tool kit from amazon.com for $36.00 and it is worth every penny. It came with the crimping tool and PEX pipe cutter and some stainless clamps. offgrid you were right it is very easy to use, I was able to correct the plumbing under the sink in a few minutes. Now i have the tools if I need them in the future.

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2019 at 3:45pm

Glad it worked out for you. Now you can replumb as needed in your house too. Pex turns what used to be a miserable job into a pleasure.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2019 at 5:44pm

I used to hate copper plumbing too, until a neighbor, who happens to own a hardware store turned me on to https://www.rectorseal.com/products/ - RectorSeal . Copper & brass fittings are no longer a problem.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost