Hi All, Washing van the other day, and noticed that in places along the rail the sealer was a bit brittle,and not sticking to van side, Think it may be time to replace the sealer, Now the question is What is the best weather conditions to take sealer off, Did notice when putting on some sealer on the latches for door, that sealer was tacky and firm, and not all sticky,(cold day) So with this info would it be better to take it off on coldish days or wait till warm and sealer is more playable,(but messy), After reading posts on a while ago,it can be very difficult to remove, Hence the question, would like to know your views or experiences regarding this, any info will be very much appreciated. Thanks.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
We have just spent the weekend taking the rail off the door side and also the front and back rail, what a mess. Think the previous owners kept on just putting more and more sealer on over the top of the old. We had to deal with sikaflex, mastic tape and wait for it super glue. I started digging the old mastic out of the rail and then using white spirit to take off the residue and then wiping the whole thing down with meths so that there was no residue left of it.
The OH took all the sealants off the van, again with white spirit and meths, very carefully so as to not damage the paintwork on the van. He then used sikaflex along the channel and I ran new mastic strip along the rail and we re-attached to the van. I don't recommend doing this by yourself, it takes ages. We're knackered, sore and he owes me a manicure.
It was worth the effort the van looks really good and we know it's going to keep the water out. I'm really looking forward to doing the same on the other side!
Cheers
Lynne
------------- When life gets you down, go caravanning!
Quote: Originally posted by jhsw on 18/4/2011
Hi Velvet Kitten, Thank for quick reply,how easy was it to come off,did it leave a mess,what did you use to clean off any remaining sealer.
Use white spirits and meths - make sure the areas are dry after - we left ours for a while so that the remaining solvents could evaporate.
We even washed the areas then applied the sikaflex.
Best of luck
------------- Degsy Rowlands is my love, my life and a lunatic!!!!!!!! Louise x
Hi all, thanks for your replys, when i did my first van years ago (re-build from chassis up) i used new sealer,but for the life of me i cant remember what i used to get old stuff off, probibility was that it was white spirits, will need to do the rails by myself, so will put on some mastic tape each side of rail,before i take it off, should reduce the risk of any mess, was planning to get away this weekend,but thats on hold till i get the hole van done, including the skylight,toilet roof vent,and the handles, Need to dig out the plastic cover just in case of the dreaded wet stuff.
Hi lynne i'd push for a spa day,praise OH on good job that you've helped him do,and then when hes felling very proud and pleased with himself," See instead of the manicure !!!!!!, it works, i know wife dose it to me all the time. PS, is the Sikaflex in tube or is it on a roll?.
------------- If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.
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Topic: Awning Rail Sealer
