Holes visible in roof after new rooflight fit

[TomG]

Hello,
after a number of hack repairs by various people, I've eventually had to replace the roof light on my campervan. However, the original tacs/brads that held the outer roof in place around the ope have failed and are now visible.
The picture attached shows the new roof light in position ( not fixed yet ) and the old holes visible. My original plan was to mastic the new light in place but guess I now need to broaden the sealing operation.
Any suggestions ? Wide mastic tape to seal holes and fix & seal roof light ? Anything else ?
Would so much appreciate any advice
Thank you

 

[Gagakev]

Hello,
after a number of hack repairs by various people, I've eventually had to replace the roof light on my campervan. However, the original tacs/brads that held the outer roof in place around the ope have failed and are now visible.
The picture attached shows the new roof light in position ( not fixed yet ) and the old holes visible. My original plan was to mastic the new light in place but guess I now need to broaden the sealing operation.
Any suggestions ? Wide mastic tape to seal holes and fix & seal roof light ? Anything else ?
Would so much appreciate any advice
Thank you

Hi Tom, welcome to the forum.
Photo is not that clear, so can we presume the new roof light sits over an upstand built into the roof?
If that is the case, would it be possible to cut the upstand off all the way around by 10mm to 15mm so the roof light drops down over the old holes, as I can see them holes being a problem into the future if you "hack Repair"
Sorry couldnt resist the last bit!!!!!

 

[TomG]

Hi Tom, welcome to the forum.
Photo is not that clear, so can we presume the new roof light sits over an upstand built into the roof?
If that is the case, would it be possible to cut the upstand off all the way around by 10mm to 15mm so the roof light drops down over the old holes, as I can see them holes being a problem into the future if you "hack Repair"
Sorry couldnt resist the last bit!!!!!

Thanks so much for the reply Gagakev.
You are correct, the photo is pretty much useless .. funny when you look at something all day you lose the context for other people.
Have edited the photo to make it clearer. Photo was taken pretty much looking down on the area. The green box shows the flat frame of the new roof light, sitting correctly on the camper roof. The two red boxes show the 'new' holes I have. I guess these were either previously covered by a bed of mastic, or the old roof light frame was slightly wider than the new one and covered them.
After doing some more googling, seems like fitting the new rooflight with mastic ( under green box ) and then just covering the small holes with mastic/silicone is the handiest option ... and hope that seals.
If you can think of something else it would be great to hear.
Thank you

 

[audiorob]

I reiterate that the picture is not that clear, but assuming this is taken of the roof/light from above then two holes and and areas where the finish paint coat to the roof is scraped are visible. So I assume that the flange on the new rooflight is narrower than that of the old. I have googled acrylic sheeting and found this link:
3mm Perspex White Gloss Acrylic Plastic Sheet 16 SIZES TO CHOOSE (297mm x 210mm / A4): Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home
They appear to offer a cutting service, so how about getting the outside and inside dimensions needed to cover the area and have a 'square hoop' cut to cover the problems. In the example the sheeting is 3mm thick so then should not interfere with a neat and watertight fitting of the rooflight once the hoop is in place .
Rather than mastic use Sikaflex at least between the 'hoop' and the roof, although once dried another thread describes how impossible it is to remove so extreme care is needed in application and to clean off any excess before setting.
Hopefully you can get your campervan back in one piece promptly, but if it is outdoors without a rooflight then try poking an umbrella up from the inside, then opening it, then weighting the handle so the unbrella doesn't shift!
Howz all that for lateral thinking?

 

[Jcloughie]

Think about this. Get some UPVC trim, available in various sections. See here for examples.

Mitre the corners and make a frame around opening wide enough to cover the holes, and mastic it into position. Then fix your new skylight on top.

The skylight will now be about 6mm higher, but they often have flexibility in their depth.

John

 

[Gagakev]

There you go Tom, three alternatives for you.

mine - cut flange so new roof light sits lower
Robs - Hoop
John's - Trim

But must add go with Robs suggestion of Sikaflex (or similar) rather than basic silicone.

Good luck.

 

[TomG]

There you go Tom, three alternatives for you.

mine - cut flange so new roof light sits lower
Robs - Hoop
John's - Trim

But must add go with Robs suggestion of Sikaflex (or similar) rather than basic silicone.

Good luck.

Brilliant lads, thanks so much.
Sourcing some perspex or uPVC and will shape to suit.
Thank you

 

[Beachball]

Hi TomG Welcome to the forum

 

[audiorob]

Please let us know how you get on with the repair - before and after pictures? Good luck with the task in hand!