Re-sealing

[william_5122476]

Anybody any idea on how to remove the "bluetack" like sealant..presumably Butyl mastic... used to fasten the trim/awning rails on my Swift caravan..The vans five years old and I was going to re-seal it...Ive done the job before on other vans using Seamseal CV..which does a good job and is much easier to deal with...though somewhat messy.....Ive just done one of the small windows so far..and the sealants a Sod to get off....Any suggestions welcome........

william

 

[Hamer_5041128]

William,

I wonder if your caravan is one of the first of the Swift's to use Sikaflex. If so it is a polyurathane based mastic, so I beleive, Which sets like glue. Dealers use cheese wire to seperate the awning rails from the body.If this is what has been used it should last for far more than 5 years.

Hamer

 

[william_5122476]

William,

I wonder if your caravan is one of the first of the Swift's to use Sikaflex. If so it is a polyurathane based mastic, so I beleive, Which sets like glue. Dealers use cheese wire to seperate the awning rails from the body.If this is what has been used it should last for far more than 5 years.

Hamer

Thanks for replying Hamer...Interesting cutting the old sealant off with a cheese wire...not heard of that before...maybe I should just let it sit and keep going round with a damp meter....like they say ..."if it ain't broke,don't fix it"

william

 

[Hamer_5041128]

William,

Just as a side, when some manufacturers started to use Sikaflex type mastic/glue accident repair costs increased due to the the difficulty in seperating damaged body parts. My new Swift Conqueror is sealed in this way.Another excuse to increase insurance premiums!!!

Hamer

 

[william_5122476]

I've contacted Swift..who should in theory have a record of the sealant used on each batch of vans ..they're on holiday for 3 weeks tho...and will get back to me ..so i'm told ....The cost of insurance is one of the reasons for us not to buy brand new vans anymore....just as well.. cos I can't afford one anyway...

William