Advice needed - it's time to redo the leaky seam seals.

BC Sunshine

BC Sunshine

Active Member
Can anyone point me in the right direction for products and process? (past posts or YouTube instructions)

I've searched previous posts and couldn't find anything helpful to a novice.

I'm not sure where to start and what materials and supplies are needed.
 
Best to use a non setting putty type seal, as used by caravan manufactures. Comes in rolls about 1” wide. Remove the alloy strips, clean everything up and refit with the tape. The movement on these vans is quite extreme, so non setting is essential.
 
Thanks Martin.

I'm guessing some of the screws will need replacing as well if rusted.
Is there any role for silicone or Flex Seal (liquid rubber)?
 
Generous silicone use might explain the current condition of the paint surrounding the seams!

I've had the camper for a year and was told the seals were done the year before that.
There's a lot of evidence of water damage in the woodwork however, so I'm suddenly skeptical.
Generally, how often should the putty tape be replaced?
 
sikaflex is good and is a bonder and sealer , it sticks anything, used for bonding in camper windows and sticking solar panels onto roofs . There are other general purpose sealers that caravan builders use for. If getting sika there’s two types 221 and 521 - one more flexible than the other I think...
 
Sikaflex was actually suggested by someone in town, and is readily available.

How much weight can the roof take? Will I have to get some scaffolding to do the work on top?
 
If you are taking them off try some paint stripper and a wire brush and scraper. It will be messy but the curved sections would be awkward to hold down to use a sander.
 
Btw don’t be tempted to use sikaflex as a window ‘silicon’ sealant after if you have some left. You’ll struggle to ever remove it in future as though its very white it turns yellow quickly in the sun and looks minging...I know when I did it on a Motorhome I had.
 
Too true Jimberlake. I used it as sealer round my lino bathroom floor edges. Whoops, it doesn’t stay white for long. The only blessing is it can be painted. :(
 
GOOD GRIEF!
How are you expected to get to the centre screws on the top seams without putting any weight on the roof??

Mission Impossible-style rappel?
 
we went for safety and hired scaffolding for either side and proper load bearing boards between the scaffolding
old fibreglass is very thin and not load bearing
we also replaced every screw with brass ones
 
I've been reading through the archives - thank you all who've posted your renovation and rebuild stories!
Brass screws or stainless steel for the alloy strips?
 
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