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05-07-2012, 02:56 AM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 58
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This past weekend we picked up our one-year old trailer from its' winter (outside) storage. Immediately we noticed that the caulking had yellowed and cracked. Some of the cracks are lengthwise the entire length of the seam. Do any of you have remedies for this? Is there a way to remove the old caulk without damaging the paint? Cosmetically the yellow caulk is not attractive as it makes the trailer look older, but maybe I'm just being too picky. I'm worried about the seams leaking when it rains.
What do you think?
__________________
2004 F350, CC, V10, 4X4, 3.73
2011 Cruiser Cf325CKP
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05-07-2012, 04:38 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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It surprises me about the yellowing, not the cracking. Maybe the yellowing will clean up with a good washing????
Removing the old caulk is a pain in the butt, but an evil necessity. I have a plastic and a metal putty knife I use. Main thing is just go easy and take your time. (It's going to take a lot of time)
This is what I used on ours last year and it still looks pretty good. Way better then the crap that's used at the factory that everybody says you have to use.
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Marine-Silicone-Sealant-3-Ounce/dp/B000R4UB08
I also clean the area with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before putting the caulk on.
Edited by: Old Farmer
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05-07-2012, 04:54 AM
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#3
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: WI
Posts: 896
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Lloyd,
Is there no way to buy this so you can use it in a caulk gun? Seems to me this would be okay for patching small spots but to do a long seam would it not require a great deal of these? Just wondering out loud.
Thanks Lloyd,
Jim
__________________
Jim & Linda Tator
Watertown, WI
2013 Crusier CF34SS GMC 3500 8.1L Dually
154 nights in 2013 - 4,370 miles
178 nights in 2014 - 5,082 miles
365 nights in 2015 - 6,040 miles
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05-07-2012, 07:55 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,160
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When I bought, you could get it in the big tubes also. It has been my experience, a little goes a long way. So often I have bought the big tube and when I got back to use it again, it was solidified in the tube and I ended up tossing it.
When I went over the camper last year, I didn't use one of the tubes in the picture.
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05-07-2012, 12:15 PM
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#5
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SE Wi.
Posts: 704
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I just recaulked the front seams on my 5er and it's very time consuming and PITA. I used this tool and the ProFlex RV caulk from CW. If your going to do the whole unit you may want to buy two tools.
http://menards.com/main/paint/caulki...937-c-7931.htm
I found the ProFlex very hard to work with, it hard to squeeze using a caulk gun and it sets up very fast. It really a two person job. I thought it was just me, but a friend mine just did his 2 year old Jayco and he found the same issues with product workability.
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05-07-2012, 01:34 PM
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#6
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bradley, Il
Posts: 1,018
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I wonder if some of the silicon tub and tile caulks would work also. they stay pretty pliable and are water proof. They also come in the smaller tubes that Old Farmer is talking about and might be easier to handle than a caulking gun. Just a thought
__________________
Dale & Carol
Bradley, Il
2007 F-250
2010 CF30SK Patriot
2007 CF30SK
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05-09-2012, 02:34 AM
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#7
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 58
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I put this question out on another forum too and received this response: "Do not use a silicone caulk. Either find a polyurethane caulk, or go find some ProFlex RV caulk."
On this forum people are saying silicone is the stuff to use. Has anyone used both? Pros vs Cons?
Thanks.
__________________
2004 F350, CC, V10, 4X4, 3.73
2011 Cruiser Cf325CKP
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05-11-2012, 01:01 PM
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#8
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by salda01
I just recaulked the front seams on my 5er and it's very time consuming and PITA. I used this tool and the ProFlex RV caulk from CW. If your going to do the whole unit you may want to buy two tools.
http://menards.com/main/paint/caulki...937-c-7931.htm
I found the ProFlex very hard to work with, it hard to squeeze using a caulk gun and it sets up very fast. It really a two person job. I thought it was just me, but a friend mine just did his 2 year old Jayco and he found the same issues with product workability.
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I couldn't agree more. I'm pretty good at caulking but the ProFlex is a killer. I've now done about 75% of my Cruiser and I'm not proud of how the job looks. The tube nozzle will not allow you to cut a small hole which means you got a lot of the caulk coming out at once. Add that to the fact that the caulk sets up very fast and you have a disaster.
Silicone would be much easier to work with but I've never seen a recommendation to use it. I've often wondered if you could pull the window and use the butyl tape like we use to use on trailers.
My next trailer will have to use seals, not caulking around the windows.
Edited by: pulpwood007
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05-12-2012, 01:39 AM
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#9
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bradley, Il
Posts: 1,018
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I have always used Proflex and agree it is tough to work with. I keep a small bottle of windex with me and wet my finger with it to smooth the Proflex. Keeps it from sticking to my finger. I would like to know why you should not use silicon based caulking, which would be much easier to use?
__________________
Dale & Carol
Bradley, Il
2007 F-250
2010 CF30SK Patriot
2007 CF30SK
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05-12-2012, 03:19 AM
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#10
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location:
Posts: 96
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Im using TremPro 635 polyurethane sealant to redo my caulking
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05-14-2012, 09:52 AM
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#11
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location:
Posts: 194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dalemac377
I have always used Proflex and agree it is tough to work with. I keep a small bottle of windex with me and wet my finger with it to smooth the Proflex. Keeps it from sticking to my finger. I would like to know why you should not use silicon based caulking, which would be much easier to use?
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ProFlex is a petroleum (oil) based caulk. How does the Windex help?? the only thing I could get to work is mineral spirits.
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05-14-2012, 11:59 AM
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#12
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bradley, Il
Posts: 1,018
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As I said, the windex keeps it from sticking to my finger as I smooth it out. The mineral spirits are for cleaning the surface before applying the caulking.
__________________
Dale & Carol
Bradley, Il
2007 F-250
2010 CF30SK Patriot
2007 CF30SK
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