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Topic: Typical timeframe for Eternabond application (Read 237 times) previous topic - next topic
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Typical timeframe for Eternabond application
Our 2021 was put together in 2020.

When we bought our older RV which was a 1995 TK there was no question that it needed the seams redone so I used eternabond tape.

Since we have bought this rig new I am wondering how long the original seals should go before I start thinking about sealing it with the tape?  I live on the San Diego county coast.

I plan on doing all seams including around the vents, etc.

Also, on my previous job I removed all the old sealant which was a pain in the you know what.
This time I think I'll clean it well and go over the old sealant if that's okay.

Thanks for any advice.

Ted
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Typical timeframe for Eternabond application
Reply #1 –
Applying Eternabond over the original sealant is fine as long as there is minimum of 1" overhang on each side. Toward the end of my RV career, I started using 6" wide Eternabond instead of the usual 4" tape, to provide more overlap. To provide more overlap with 4" tape, you can use a vibratory tool with a shape, chisel blade to cut some of the old sealant away where it has spread out. 6" tape is much harder to handle than 4".

I started adding solar panels a year after buying our 2003 LD,. Some of the added panels cover the roof seam so Eternabond tape was applied 21-22 years ago. This summer, sections of the tape's white coating started lifting. After peeling the white covering off, it was cleaned and fresh layer of Eternabond tape was applied obverse the old. That should last the rest of my life.
So, figure a 20+ year life-span. Is that long enough?
The Mothership recommend resealing at about ten years. If stored indoor, you may be able to go longer. Besides the roof seams, the windows will need resealing as the window sealant shrinks with age. End caps too need frequent inspection and resealing when they start lifting.

Don't bother taping the vents, clean well and overcoat with Dicor, the vent seals cannot be resealed, the actual seal is  between the vent and the roof. Besides, Eternabond bonds poorly to old  polyurethane sealant.
Recoating with Dicor helps protects the plastic vents from ultraviolet damage.

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: Typical timeframe for Eternabond application
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Applying Eternabond over the original sealant is fine as long as there is minimum of 1" overhang on each side. Toward the end of my RV career, I started using 6" wide Eternabond instead of the usual 4" tape, to provide more overlap. To provide more overlap with 4" tape, you can use a vibratory tool with a shape, chisel blade to cut some of the old sealant away where it has spread out. 6" tape is much harder to handle than 4".

I started adding solar panel a year after buying our 2003 LD,. Some of the added panels cover the roof seam so Eternabond tape was applied 21-22 years ago. This summer, sections of the tape's white coating started lifting. After peeling the white covering off, it was cleaned and fresh layer of Eternabond tape was applied obverse the old. That should last the rest of my life.
So, figure a 20+ year life-span. Is that long enough?
The Mothership recommend resealing at about ten years. If stored indoor, you may be able to go longer. Besides the roof seams, the windows will need resealing as the window sealant shrinks with age. End caps too need frequent inspection and resealing when they start lifting.

Don't bother taping the vents, clean well and overcoat with Dicor, the vent seals cannot be resealed, the actual seal is  between the vent and the roof. Besides, Eternabond bonds poorly to old  polyurethane sealant.
Recoating with Dicor helps protects the plastic vents from ultraviolet damage.

Larry



Thanks Larry
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Typical timeframe for Eternabond application
Reply #3 –
"Since we have bought this rig new I am wondering how long the original seals should go before I start thinking about sealing it with the tape?  I live on the San Diego county coast."

My 2021 Rear bath had very well laid roof seams. Very smooth compared to the seams on my 2010 rear bath roof seams that were uneven and rough texture. The 2021 seams were also painted with the roof paint for better sealing. I think if yours is similar you shouldn't have any leaking problems for at least ten years. Larry is right about the vent seals coating in the future.
Mike C
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: Typical timeframe for Eternabond application
Reply #4 –
One of the first things I did when I bought my LD was Eternabond.
It's a 1996 and I bought from the original owners in 2007.
So 11 years old, the roof seams were OK but showed a lot of age so I decided to Eternabond.
So early 2008 I got it done, it's tricky at times because once it goes down, it doesn't come back off. I used 4".
Now 18 years later it still looks pretty good and seems to holding up very well. Most of my time has been in the desert southwest so I don't know if that is good or bad.

With some of the leftover Eternabod I used to make small pieces to place over the brackets on my solar panels.
I used VHB tape on the bottom of the bracket and Eternabond on top. That has been up there since 2012 with no problems.
Jota
96 23.5 FL
Re: Typical timeframe for Eternabond application
Reply #5 –
Plan to do mine at 9 years this coming May while I still have access to a large indoor temperature controlled space.
Dave

2017 TK