Sealants

[Angus1]

I am considering re-sealing my van again before winter, and fancy using something a little more durable than the usual mastic.

The obvious choice would appear to be Sikoflex 221, but at a tenner a throw it gets expensive. Apparently `Tiger Seal` has similar chracteristics, and I came across a produce by Hodgson Sealants in a dealer with the same description and virtually identical chemical composition as Sikaflex but at 60% of the price.

Has anyone any experience of these? I`ve tried contacting Hodgsons but I don`t seem worthy of a reply...

 

[Viking1]

Angus

I used to Sikoflex 221 when I used to work on curtain side trails it is good. I can not see you use mor then two to three tubes so there would not be much of a saving and I dod not thick it is where try to scimp on the Sealant has if it dose not work you will have a lot of mess to sort out.

MARK

 

[Guest]

There are similar products that are cheaper but some tend to discolour and show mould like colouring after being out in the open air.

221 also has very good adhesive qualities compared to others.

 

[rob_jax]

Angus,

The Hodgson Sealants "Seamseal" tube mastic and HP range of strip sealants are used by the caravan industry - and are well respected.

The HP tape is a great way to making the awning rail seal - it's very quick to apply and in a way that's almost impossible to duplicate with tube mastic - try to lay a 1" or 2" wide band with a tube sealant gun.

Then apply tube sealant to the channels in the rail - and that makes a real quality seal.

Don't be tempted to use a more powerful (stronger) sealant - these may not be as flexible when the van moves when towing or expansion or contraction in hot / cold weather.

Hodgsons only deal with the trade, so you would need to speak with your dealer.

Robert

 

[cris_408518]

If the Hodgsons is the preferred trade sealant it seams a good reason to use something else Rob.

Through personal experience we came to the conclusion that the industry used strip sealants are the cause of many leaks.

When applying tube sealant cut the nozzel at a slight angle and then cut a slot in the front edge of the nozzel, as you draw the gun along you will be left with a bed and standing ridge of mastic in the form of and inverted T.

When you apply the rail the mastic will squash down and fill any gaps or holes, you just need to clean any outside surplus straight away.

Most good experienced windscreen fitters use the "T" cut on their mastic gun nozzels and that way never have a problem with leaking windscreens compared to those that try and lay a bed of mastic.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

The tape sealants when used with tube mastic in the channels should be perfect - agreed about the inverted T - but I believe the problem lies with the person applying the tape.

Some of the leaks in a friends caravan had been caused by butt joints in the middle of an awning rail - two odd bits of tape had been used rather than a single run - and I'm not even sure that they tried to make a proper joint.

Robert

 

[Angus1]