Caulking

CA

CamperBob-XRD

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Posts
16
Anyone know what type of caulking is used around windows, doors, hatches, etc on the Zingers? I had a small leak at the top of the storage garage opening and wasn't sure what to use so I grabbed some clear aluminum siding and gutter silicone. Just wondering what the OEMs use.
 
Dicor self leveling for the roof and side seam along gutter. The factory uses Silaprene around the vertical openings like the windows, slide seals, corner's, etc.
 
where do i get such items, & when i do have, is it ok to store in camper year round???



is heat or cold a issue for it???
 
You can get the Silaprene at Hahn Systems, 800-686-0502, in Elkhart and the Dicor from Camping World or most RV dealers.
 
thank you.once again you come through with good info.
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Just a note on the use of Silaprene (you can buy ProFlex at most RV dealerships, it is the equal of Silaprene):



Be prepared to work quick and use a rag and mineral spirits to clean the area and smooth out the caulking. This stuff get's sticky quick and can goop up if you apply it thick. I cut the nozzle tip very small, just large enough to insert the metal rod to break the inner seal. Use some painter's tape and mask the lines where you want to apply the sealant. Apply the sealant, with a rag and some mineral spirits wipe the caulking line and remove the tape.



You now a factory looking job on your camper!
 
Anybody know if there is any difference between Silaprene and 100 % silicone?
 
Yes - silicone is very different from Silaprene and Proflex which are "block copolymer" based. Silicone has a lower viscosity, lower elasticity, low resistance to UV light and cleans up with water/soap, the later is cleaned with mineral spirits.



If you are sealing any exterior parts on a RV you should avoid silicone which you'll find out has lower adhesive properties then a true sealant/adhesive.
 
mwebber78 said:
Yes - silicone is very different from Silaprene and Proflex which are "block copolymer" based. Silicone has a lower viscosity, lower elasticity, low resistance to UV light and cleans up with water/soap, the later is cleaned with mineral spirits.



If you are sealing any exterior parts on a RV you should avoid silicone which you'll find out has lower adhesive properties then a true sealant/adhesive.
Click to expand...

The reason I asked is my dealer claims they use 100% pure silicone on the sides.
Also, I do know that 100% pure silicone doesn't clean up with soap/water. It also requires mineral spirits.
 
Good luck with that. I'm not sure which silicone the dealer is using but typical household silicone does clean up with hot water/soap. I know some GE commecial grades require solvents to clean up....?



Either way, you can rest assured the factory doesn't use silicone on the coach when it is built. Silaprene and Proflex both come in white, clear and bright white. If you choose to allow the dealer to apply the silicone as a way to weather proof your coach then I'd say your on your own if it leaks later on.



JMHO.
 
Mike is correct in stating silicon will not stick well to the exterior of the trailer. Tried it once a long time ago and found out the hard way it will not work.
 
So I guess I'll be replacing the GE Aluminum Gutter and siding 100%

silicone I used on my storage garage last weekend if it fails. And now

I start my hunt for Silaprene so I have it when I next need it. Funny thing is, the silicone had a 50 year rating...far in excess of anything else on the shelf where I bought it.

And I end with a related story.....15 years ago, when I built my home, I used two different caulks around windows and doors. GE Silicone (white) and Mono (acrylic, and also white). The mono adhered like crazy and was easier to apply...so I thought it probably was better..however, it failed to be flexible enough to last, resulting in cracking similar to what I saw on my Zinger's storage garage. The silicone has survived 15 years on my home, still holds, is not cracked and looks great. Siding and windows are vinyl. Both were solvent cleanup. Does the material I am caulking make that much difference?
 
No offense but if the big RV companies could have gotten away with using Wal*Mart caulking they could have a long time ago.



I'm just posting what they use and the fact I have never had water damage to a camper I owned yet.



What you use is your choice. If you've had good luck with GE silicone then please continue to use it.
 
I am not familiar with silaprene--never seen it never heard of it before. Led a pretty sheltered life I guess.
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Mike, I have no doubt they use it at the factory. BUT, they also use Lippert frames and axles!!
(They might be better off getting those from Walmart)
My question is, if this stuff is suppose to be so good, why is everybody having to re caulk every year?
 
OK, so I looked around and there appear to be at least a dozen products used commercially under the Silaprene name produced/distributed by Uniroyal adhesives and sealants . Process of elimination gets me down to a few that sound like what I might be looking for. The most promising is one called SolidSeal which is listed as a urethane, extrude-able, one component sealant (fancy words for caulk I guess) suitable for marine applications. Is that what I am looking for?
 
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