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Topic: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows (Read 2603 times) previous topic - next topic
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Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #25 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
Ron, the boat articles I referred to showed a butyl tape install 31 years old and still good, which implies never replace (or nearly never  :D ).
Maybe the difference is the "newer" butyl tape that was not as good (e.g. not the old stuff that worked better and not the new bed-it tape) so it didn't last as long and did the drying out and cracking.

My experience has been that the tape shrinks as it ages with the shrinkage forming a concave depression on the top of the window that holds water instead of letting it drain away. A tiny leak can let in a lot of water over time.
Removing a window is a big job and can easily break it. Seeing no good reason to risk removing them, I prefer to leave the windows in place and seal the frame perimeters with polyurethane, after cleaning and masking. With practice, a window can be resealed in about an hour.
Window and seam sealing | Flickr

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #26 –
"where do you use butyl tape in your RV mods/repairs?"

Pretty much as you said: anywhere there's an opening such as a window, vent, outside AC outlet, cable-TV inlet, shore power inlet... or a screw going into the outside wall. (Boating people call these "hull penetrations.") I've never had a problem with the Bed-It brand that I mentioned earlier, but I've seen inferior butyl elsewhere.

By the way, I've learned a lot from the boating people and in particular from the website of the marine technician ("MaineSail") who sells Bed-It tape. His Compass Marine/Marine How To site is full of detailed articles, with especially good coverage of electrical equipment.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #27 –
Hi Jane. I think the quality of the tape, and the care taken with construction might not have been up to Lazy Daze standards, or boat/marine standards. When pulling out the back window of the Lindy, (Skyline) constructed in Hemet Ca., the window had been installed upside down. The weep holes were at the top, although that didn't let water into the wood framing. But at just eleven years old, (1979 chassis, 1980 model) the butyl tape was in terrible condition, and water had rotted out the structure under the window. I rebuilt the structure from the inside and put everything back together. With other windows the seals were starting to leak. The butyl was crumbly, not 'gooey' like the new stuff I had used on the back window. Unimpressed with the butyl, the side windows were glued in with, hold your breath!, silicone.  That was 1991.
     I saw the rig, still owned by the fellow technician I had sold it to, on the road, parked at the SD stadium in late 2016. (I have pictures)  Windows still intact and not leaking. I spent a lot of time on it (I was unemployed for a few months) and it was interesting to see how my repairs and 'improvements' had held up.
     Like Larry said, it was a lot of work, but the rot  required removal. Took about 50 hours,  just on three windows.  The cabover window and more rot took another two weeks in 1996. (and four people to put it back in)
    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #28 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 

By the way, I've learned a lot from the boating people and in particular from the website of the marine technician ("MaineSail") who sells Bed-It tape. His Compass Marine/Marine How To site is full of detailed articles, with especially good coverage of electrical equipment.

Nice site and the article on bedding with Bed-it tape offers new information I had not seen before.
I can see spending some time reading the site, always searching for better ways of doing things pertaining to boats and RVs

The internet is full of rabbit holes to fall into.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #29 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
I prefer to leave the windows in place and seal the frame perimeters with polyurethane, after cleaning and masking. With practice, a window can be resealed in about an hour.
Window and seam sealing | Flickr

Larry
The pictures seem to show that you don't seal the bottom edge of the windows.  Is that correct?  Getting ready to do mine and I was going to seal all the way around.  :o
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #30 –
Quote from: Jane and Scott  - 
Howard, silicone (100% silicon) stays flexible forever - like soft rubber.  Typically they are clear but I won't swear there are not white ones out there.  Adhesives recommended (both in the LD companion and if you search for sealing windows/roof/endcaps in the forums) are not clear and don't have any silicone in them.
Big difference, if you scrape off all the adhesive and can feel a residue (rather than clean paint/metal feeling), it might be silicone.
Jane

Thankfully I found out that the stuff used was NOT silicone on the outside and end caps.  Is silicone good for inside stuff like kitchen and bathroom caulking?
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #31 –
Hi Howard. I use Dap 230 Dynaflex.  An acrylic caulk. It is water cleanup, and skins over in a few minutes. It can be painted, and  used inside and outside. A good working consistency. https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-Dynaflex-230-10-1-oz-White-Premium-Indoor-Outdoor-Sealant-18275/100035980    It comes in white, black, beige, silver and brown, maybe other colors. Not as durable or finnicky as polyurethane, but still good.
        For outdoor endcaps I would use 3M 5200 fast cure. Practice on some scraps first. Use gloves. Polyurethanes are harder to work with, and hard to remove if needed.    3M™ Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 Fast Cure | 3M United States    Notice the word permanent.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #32 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
The pictures seem to show that you don't seal the bottom edge of the windows.  Is that correct?  Getting ready to do mine and I was going to seal all the way around.  :o

I use the same method that has traditionally been used in building construction, always leaving a way for water to drain away.
Water flows downhill. Leave the bottom unsealed.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: How to Remove Silicone Caulk/How to Reseal End Caps & Windows
Reply #33 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Hi Howard. I use Dap 230 Dynaflex.  An acrylic caulk. It is water cleanup, and skins over in a few minutes. It can be painted, and  used inside and outside. A good working consistency. DAP Dynaflex 230 10.1 oz. White Premium Indoor/Outdoor Sealant-18275 - The...    It comes in white, black, beige, silver and brown, maybe other colors. Not as durable or finnicky as polyurethane, but still good.
        For outdoor endcaps I would use 3M 5200 fast cure. Practice on some scraps first. Use gloves. Polyurethanes are harder to work with, and hard to remove if needed.    3M™ Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 Fast Cure | 3M United States    Notice the word permanent.   RonB

Thanks Ron, appreciate the advice.