Window rail sealant replacement

Aug 19, 2019
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Hi there,

Whilst on holiday I noticed there was an area of damp between the windows of my Lunar Clubman. The area is about a 2 inch square where the wall board has gone soft. There does not appear to be anymore soft patches so I'm hoping this is the only damaged area. I removed the windows at the front to check the rail and all of the screws were loose and one even sticking out about 5mm. My question is, Is there a seal that goes behind the rail or is it a case of applying a sealant? If so, which sealant is best? I have also checked the other windows and the screws were also loose so I'm probably going to reseal those as well. The only other area I can thin it would come from is the roof skin join.
Any comments would be more than welcome and apologies if this has been covered before.

Chris
 
Jan 19, 2002
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You can get specialised sealant ribbon on a roll, like W4 sealant, available in various widths and 5m length costs about 12.00. Make sure you clean any old off thoroughly and replace the screws with stainless. You might find this detailed description useful.
http://www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/front-body-to-roof---rail-reseal.-plus-lower-front-awning-rails---reseal.htm
 

Damian

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Mar 14, 2005
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As the rail appears to be loose anyway, the best cure will be to remove the rail, clean it and the van where it goes of all old sealant and use soudall fixall as the mastic to refit with new stainless steel screws.

The roll type seal tape is not very good as it winds around the screw as it is tightened and creates spaces where water can get in.

Gunned mastic like Soudall Fixall does not have the same problem and once set, the rail will not come off as it will be bonded to the van .
 
Aug 19, 2019
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Thanks for the advice. One other question. When I've removed and cleaned the area behind the rail, do I need to put sealant there is it a case of refitting the rail and applying a bead of sealant along the top of the rail?
 

Damian

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Mar 14, 2005
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Once cleaned depending on how many of you there are the sealant needs to be applied.
If there are two of you, you can apply to the rail and carefully place the rail in place, or easier is to apply to the van where the rail will go, and use a generous bead so that when tightened to the van the rail squeezes out sealant along its length. then tool off to give a neat finish.

Once in place and screwed tight, before replacing the cover trim cover the top of each screw with a coating of sealant .
 

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