Caulk inspection

[MyronL]

Thor... yes that Scamp vent fan was unsalvageable. But the Maxifan I replaced it with hung down too low inside so I had to build a fiberglassed wood ledge on the roof.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by skiman

Is the clear on the window tops proflex as well?

Hi: skiman... Proflex comes in both white and clear. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[thoer]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Thor... yes that Scamp vent fan was unsalvageable. But the Maxifan I replaced it with hung down too low inside so I had to build a fiberglassed wood ledge on the roof.

Nice work Myron.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Thor... yes that Scamp vent fan was unsalvageable. But the Maxifan I replaced it with hung down too low inside so I had to build a fiberglassed wood ledge on the roof.

Butyl tape

Ron

[gbaglo]

Thank you Canadian Tire:

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by skiman

Is the clear on the window tops proflex as well?

That I do not know, but since it is out of sight it may be just plain silicone. I'd ask ETI for a complete list of adhesives they may use.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by skiman

Is the clear on the window tops proflex as well?

Mine is, because I have touched it up. Again, the nice thing about Proflex is that it adheres to itself. You do not have to remove it. It does need to be cleaned with alcohol and then I mask it off. Someone mentioned two caulks… if you have had your trailer for a while, the mastic tends to ooze out even under the Proflex. Since I don't want to remove all of the caulk, I will just live with the gray oozing out under the Proflex until I can't stand it any longer.

[gbaglo]

Just use a plastic putty knife to scrape ooze. Escape included this little scraper in the welcome kit at a recent rally.

[Donna D.]

I don't know when all molded towable manufacturers (any brand) started applying caulk over the top of the exterior window frames. I know my 1988 Scamp doesn't have it... right from the factory. I'm sorry ETI decided they needed to put the clear across the top of the windows on Ten Forward. It sure was nice and clear when brand new, now a dirty looking greenish/brown after 16 months. If I have the energy in the Spring, I may take a non-serrated plastic knife and cut it off.


Plastic won't score the gelcoat unlike using a metal knife of any kind.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Just use a plastic putty knife to scrape ooze. Escape included this little scraper in the welcome kit at a recent rally.

Yep, use this on the mastic but it doesn't work on the mastic that is covered by the Proflex.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I don't know when all molded towable manufacturers (any brand) started applying caulk over the top of the exterior window frames. I know my 1988 Scamp doesn't have it... right from the factory. I'm sorry ETI decided they needed to put the clear across the top of the windows on Ten Forward. It sure was nice and clear when brand new, now a dirty looking greenish/brown after 16 months. If I have the energy in the Spring, I may take a non-serrated plastic knife and cut it off.


Plastic won't score the gelcoat unlike using a metal knife of any kind.

Isopropyl alcohol will clean the Proflex caulk almost like new. Not sure I would remove the Proflex until I had to. If you decide to go ahead I can recommend plastic razor blades.

[Greg A]

Like Donna, I'm disappointed to learn they are caulking the top of the Windows. A properly set window with butyl tape does not need caulk and will only lead to a mess as Donna describes. I would have asked them not to do the caulking if I'd known, and I'll most likely be removing it in the Spring.

[Donna D.]

I think I'll try Tim's suggestion first. There's a lot of windows and a lot of nasty clear caulk! Thanks Tim

[Greg A]

It would be a pain, hope the isopropyl gets you results as well.

[Bobbito]

I find it hard to believe so many trailer manufacturers would use caulking around windows and such sealed with butyl putty if there wasn't some added benefit. Has anyone asked ETI about this?

[cpaharley2008]

My thought, belt and suspenders......

[Klem]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

My thought, belt and suspenders......

I've heard that is compared to wearing two condoms ... which is a good idea when you are trying to stop a leak ...

Personally I like suspenders to hold up my pants and a belt to dress up the midline! Unless you have a tailor to remove your belt loops you should use a belt too for 'show'.

I'd say use Butyl which lasts decades with a sealant too which lengthens the life of the Butyl. Leaks into any trailer feeds the process of deterioration. The goal should be no leaks forever ... at least as long as possible.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

... I find the whole concept of relying on face sealing and globbed on caulking patched with more caulking to be revolting.
...
Really, patching face sealed caulking by smearing on more caulking, bush league.

I agree. Most people are not familiar with boat construction, but just look any any car or truck... including one with a sunroof: there is no sealant gooped over top of any joint, and most weather sealing (with the exception of the windshield and some other fixed glazing) does not use an adhesive/caulk/sealer even if you could see between the mating surfaces.

I believe that this is done on RVs (of essentially all brands) because the body openings are neither designed to accept a seal (they're just openings cut in flat panels) nor are they very rigid (to maintain shape and thus gasket integrity). Windows, for instance, are not even designed to work with a gasket. Still, they do have a flange, and a urethane sealant would probably work for decades with no maintenance or issues.

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Thank you Canadian Tire:

I got "Did you mean "flex" ? - 88 results" for exactly the same search from the Canadian Tire home page. What's in your search history...?

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I don't know when all molded towable manufacturers (any brand) started applying caulk over the top of the exterior window frames. I know my 1988 Scamp doesn't have it... right from the factory.

I saw a new (less than a year old) Scamp here a few years ago, in a supermarket parking lot. All the way around every edge of every opening - windows, vents, whatever - was smeared in horrible mess of clear sealant/caulk that may have been silicone. I talked with the owner briefly, and my understanding was that he did not add this stuff, although I may have been mistaken.

[gbaglo]

If you look at the screen capture I attached it said "proflex caulk".
When I just searched proflex, I got dryer ducting or something similar.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

If you look at the screen capture I attached it said "proflex caulk".
When I just searched proflex, I got dryer ducting or something similar.

Yes, I searched Canadian Tire for "proflex caulk", too. You're just special.