Help-Caulk for Winnebago Roof?

[steelheadbluesman]

Need to clean out and replace the full-length caulking strips that hold the fiberglass roof sheet in the gutter rails, both sides. It sat through the winter under big trees and is real rough and spongy. Not looking healthy.

Plan to use knives and alcohol to remove and clean up, but don't know about caulk type. I'm thinking about painting it or covering with 'eternabond' tape.

Any owners with experience on this problem? Tips or suggestions for removal or cleaning? This one is a little scary to me. Any and all advice will be much appreciated, I have good weather now, so plan to start ASAP. Thanks

[John Hilley]

2007 Sealant call out sheet and Service Tips Exterior Sealants

[George Schweikle]

A cheap heat gun from harbor freight makes it much easier to remove old caulk. Get a wide scraper and direct the heat onto it rather than right on the sealant. It's messy & sticky, but still easier than just scraping at ambient temperature.

Originally Posted by steelheadbluesman

Need to clean out and replace the full-length caulking strips that hold the fiberglass roof sheet in the gutter rails, both sides. It sat through the winter under big trees and is real rough and spongy. Not looking healthy.

Plan to use knives and alcohol to remove and clean up, but don't know about caulk type. I'm thinking about painting it or covering with 'eternabond' tape.

Any owners with experience on this problem? Tips or suggestions for removal or cleaning? This one is a little scary to me. Any and all advice will be much appreciated, I have good weather now, so plan to start ASAP. Thanks

[Harry B]

Just started with eternabond. One side is done. I used the 2" wide Web seal and painted it by hand with matching paint. Working on the curb side now. When it is finished I will have a paint shop respray the entire top as the clearcoat has started to come off as well in other areas. However it already looks fine the way it is. Can't tell from below at all. You don't need to use their sealant. It is a latex base which could be problematic with laquer over top and I was told by eternabond that any good quality paint would be fine to provide UV protection for the webbing.

[45acp]

This is my opinion right or wrong and many will consider it wrong. I only wanted to do this one time and never repeat it again. I scaped the old caulk out of the channel with a screw driver and a razor blade scraper. I then used 3M Scotch Brite and cleaned the any remaining caulk out of the channel. I bought (Adhesive 3M 4000 UV white) which is about $15 per tube and one tube will do about 30' to 40'. You will want to only put enough in the channel to fill it even with the top and not have to wipe or remove any extra since this stuff sticks to everything really well. This product is meant for boats under water and UV protected for the exposed top decks as well. The reason most people will not use it is because it is hard to remove but that is exactly why I did use it and I am really happy with the results. Bill

[steelheadbluesman]

Thanks, Gentlemen, you have given me some really good info, and I appreciate it. Looks like I'll begin in a couple days.

[rvarner]

I used Manus Bond (sp), which is a caulking, when I did mine. Great stuff and stays pliable.
Richard

[Pusherman]

Geocell. It's Winnebago approved.