The PO(s) must have noticed a separation and/or leak and tried to seal it. Why the wrong color? Any way to soften & remove the existing and re-do it in white? Picky,picky, I know, but geez, it's a FORETRAVEL! :yum:
It could actually be silicone caulk which tends to attach dirt. Per Rance at Extreme, it is what you should use in that location.
Rich
Not my point or question. The rest of the coach is well-done in white. I want to remove the grey and re-do it. :D
The home stores sell silicone and caulking removers that don't have nasty solvents - Motsenbockers is the brand I've used before. It seems to soften the silicone a little so it's easier to scrap off. I would use a plastic putty knife or plastic razor blade - metal could gouge the gel coat. The removal is the hardest part. It takes multiple cycles of applying remover and scraping. I don't have the exact same model as yours but I would consider removing the molding to get to it better. Bed the screws in silicone upon reinstallation so you don't create a leak path with the screw.
Thanks John, that info & product type is what I needed.! :dance:
Agree, remove and use the proper white. Particularly out in AZ, I doubt that is "weathered" white. Just flat the wrong color. Surprising, given the new full paint job??
Yup, caulking is an art and easy to screw-up. However, changing colors because you ran out is tacky, IMHO.
Actually even a novice can do a very clean, professional job.
Just start by using blue painter's tape to define the boundary of the area to be caulked.
Lay down the bead of caulk.
Use finger (I use disposable gloves) to smooth it.
Immediately remove the tape.
Immediately use a WET finger to do the final smoothing.
Do I have a volunteer with expertise? I'll pay for the campsite in Cactus Hug. :)
Does Rance say use silicone or caulk? Aren't the two different? I think i remeber fiberglass guys telling me never use silicone on fiberglass because it gets into the gelcoat and makes future repairs very difficult due to weakened bonding.
Rance said clear silicone caulk. I did my seams while I was there in May.
Rich
Hmm, do we have a definite answer? Being a Airstream owner for 25 years, I used no caulk.
My goto is loctite PL-S30 or PL-S40. It is amazing stuff, Home Depot has it. *almost* permanent but not quite.
Will check it out, thanks Mark. First, I've got to remove the PO's dumb caulking job.
He's a function over form guy ;) I am known to be that way too sometimes.
With these coaches changing hands so much, it's hard to lay blame on who did what. In our case, I KNOW it was not PO # 2, who is prolly more anal than me, if that's possible. :))
Since the coach was repainted by the immediate previous owner-- suspect the shop choose the caulk. But, that is only a guess.