Hi
we are going to try revseal our carvan trim we found link of how to do it
But is say that we have to use sikaflex , mastic tape as we are new to carvaning and new to repairing we were wondering if anyone can tell us which is the best to use and why ie sikaflex or mastic tape and do we have to use them both and what tool we would need the carvan has no leaks in it at the mo but some of the trim looks as if it will need doing before next year
Thank you jenny
Just use Sikaflex. BUT - make sure you get the old mastic off and the mating surfaces completely clean and degreased first.
Use white spirit to clean the parts and meths or acetone to degrease. Clean up any excess before it cures. Sikaflex is a superb sealant and adhesive. The other stuff melts in hot sun and has no adhesive strength, so why bother with it?
Don't use Sikaflex on anything you might want to take apart again though (like fridge vents) once it is put on properly the only way to get it off is to cut it!
Yep, as Al+Mel says Sikaflex 512 every time. Not cheap but the best available.
I would advise completing one short section at a time as removing the old stuff is time consuming and can be a bit soul destroying
Sikaflex 221 is what we have used on a new build for our trailer, and you can get it apart afterwards, you just need to cut through the seam with a sharp blade.
It cures to a tough rubber-like consistency and is an excellent adhesive, far better than any mastics.
It can be smoothed by a finger dipped in white spirit after application, and is tacky in an hour or so, depending on the humidity.
We bought a 12-pack which was out of its sell-by date, that was in 2011, and we are still using the remainder now, so don't be afraid if the date is close or exceeded, it does keep OK in unopened tubes.
It can be used as a structural adhesive in controlled conditions.
if you are put off by the cost of sikaflex 512 try sikaflex EBT, this is about £6 from screwfix. ive used it and found it to be perfectly adequate for the job.
Also one little tip i'd give is to mask off with tape along the edge of the aluminium strip and where it fits to the caravan to avoid a great big unsightly bead of sealant. Once the bead is smoothed out just peal away the tape and then leave it alone until its gone off, ant little whisps of sealant can then be carefully trimmed away with a sharp stanly knife.
I will be resealing my awning rail using silkaflex 512 but I wanted to check that I can use a white spirit to remove any excess?
Grateful for any advise
JD123
Did our awning rails last year and would say it is very time consumming especially the cleaning off of the old mastic etc. But persevere...
Make sure there are two of you when removing the long runs of awning rail as if it bends it will kink and once kinked you wont get it straight again and will probably need to replace it....
Wish i'd thought of the masking tape... as yes it did get a bit messy. Lots of cleaning up afterwards with thinners or white spirits.
While you are at it/up there, check out the chimney and skylights and if necessary remove old sealant, clean with spirits then meths then run a bead of Sikaflex round those as well.
I then went a bit mad and sealed any joint in sight to use up the Sikaflex.
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Topic: Sikaflex
