What sealant to use

[FatherTed]

Similar to another user on here, I have a bit of damp coming into my Swift, but mine is about 15 years old, so I'm not too surprised.

I am working my way through the van repairing things and will soon be up to removing the awning rails and re-sealing them. I also will be re-sealing the rails over the windows.

Which is the best type of sealant to use? I have two options ( that I know of), sealant strip on a roll, or something like Sikaflex in a tube.

The Sikaflex would be a cheaper option and looks like it is the right stuff, but I don't want to cut corners and have to do the job again.

Any advice gratefully accepted.

 

[Damian]

If you use Sikaflex on th awning rail, do not expect to get the rail off again ever!!

Depending on your viewpoint, this can be good, as the majority of times it is the pulling of the awning that causes the rails to move slightly and loosen the screws, leading to water ingress.

Any other kind of sealer is just that, a sealer, but is susceptible to damage and pulling away.

 

[izzeybear1]

Ensure you use a sealant that remains flexible Do not use the standard silicone used around the house, this tends to harden to a point that it does not flex with the body work. There is one readily available but for the life of me i cannot recall its trade name it is in a standard silicone style tube with plum coloured writing.Any good caravan dealer will know the stuff I mean. I have some in my garage but at the moment I am unable to get there. If you have trouble identfying it let me know and I will look it uo for you.

 

[FatherTed]

Thanks for that.

Sikaflex mightn't be the correct stuff, but yes, the one I had in mind is a none setting, bedding compound and it is a white tube with plum writing, so that sounds like it'll be the same stuff.

 

[Roy_374355334]

Hello

Take a look at the data sheets on sika products [sealants]at www.resapol.com

Roy

 

[Damian]

The sealer referred to in the plum coloured writing on th etube is IDL99

 

[izzeybear1]

The sealer referred to in the plum coloured writing on th etube is IDL99

Thats the stuff i was thinking of.

 

[caravanoracle]

soudal fixall sealant is the only sealant i use