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Urethane Caulk

I've read several posts regarding the merits of urethane caulk. Where can I get some? I checked out Home Depot, Lowes and a local RV store but no one knew what I was talking about. Is Lexel urethane? Thanks.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #1 –
Home Depot sells a product in a gold tube called Vulkem 116, which is a polyurethane. Have to get Kent to chip in to see if it meets his criteria. :D
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #2 –
I found Dicor 501LSW Self Leveling Lap Sealant  EPDM Lap Sealants | Dicor Products | Official Website at my local RV place and used it on my Fiberglass roof when I mounted the satellite dome.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #4 –
We've got some sharp folks out there. Dicor is available at most RV Centers and was used extensively by Foretravel in past years. Vulkem/Tremco 116 and Sika 221 urethanes are usually available at building supply retailers. They all come in two forms, self-leveling and vertical grade. The venerable 3M 5200 and Sika 291 are available at Marine retailers such as West Marine but are much more expensive than the builder grades and are not usually necessary. I do use the 3M 5200 on hard to seal leaks or where a very thin layer of caulk is required. The Marine grades have higher tensile strength than the builders grades and somewhat better adhesion.

Geocel and Lexel are both hybrids. I can not find any evidence of their chemical makeup but I have used both very successfully as an adhesive and caulk. In my opinion they are easier to use than pure urethane and work equally well in most environments other than chemical resistance. I think they are primarily available online. I don't know of any common retailers that carry either brand.

I hope this helps.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #5 –
hmm... This discussion is very relevant to finishing my bulkhead Project! When I upgraded my windows and redid my the non-stucco portion of the exterior on my house fiber cement siding (think Hardie backer board), I used a polyurethane window and siding caulking available at Home Depot made by Loctite. After about five years or so, it seems to be holding up well. I have use it on various projects under the coach and in compartments, but I'm wondering if I should try something else when it comes to more exposed areas. In looking at the data sheet, I don't think there's a complete chemical composition disclosure, but it seems that it has many of the call is needed for RV's. It's not cheap at seven dollars a tube, and the 5200 by 3M is about $10 a tube at my local Lowes. One offputting thing about the 3M stuff is that it says you should use the entire contents of the tube within 24 hours after opening. On one small project, I used the contents of an open tube after about three days and didn't notice any difference... But it was on noncritical area. The main drawback of that stuff besides the open shelf life is how long it takes to become tack free. I'm attaching the data sheet for the Loctite polyurethane cocking and am wondering if any of you chemically knowledgeable types (Kent ;D ) would care to look at that and let me know if you think that the Loctite stuff is adequate for use on some of the more exposed areas in the RV.
Thanks, Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #6 –
I find Lexel at Ace Hardware stores in white and clear.
1999 U320
Mount Dora Fl

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #7 –
Quote from: acousticart –
One offputting thing about the 3M (5200) stuff is that it says you should use the entire contents of the tube within 24 hours after opening. On one small project, I used the contents of an open tube after about three days and didn't notice any difference… But it was on noncritical area. The main drawback of that stuff besides the open shelf life is how long it takes to become tack free.
 
Two version of 5200: standard  = 7 day cure, "fast cure" = 24 hours
I've only seen the fast cure in small tubes at HD/Lowes
I've noticed the standard 5200 will say soft for weeks or longer with a good cap seal.  I store open tubes in the freezer for long term.  I also put paint brushes (un-cleaned) in a zip lock bag and throw them in the freezer between coats or if I know I'll be using it again soon.  The brush will defrost in few minutes when I'm ready to it use again.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #8 –
FWIW,
Probably only reinforcing others on this, I will say the 3M 5200 is great caulk and will withstand weather very well.  I have used it on boats and it does last.  It should be noted that it is NOT easy to get whatever you wanted sealed unsealed.  That stuff holds well.  So, if you think you may not wish to take off/remove, then the 5200 is the ticket.  If you think you may wish to remove, consider a polysulfide like "Boat Life" caulk.  I lean toward marine/boat products as I have used other products on my boats with less than satisfactory results.  I would rather spend a little extra with a product that I know will last and not redevelop leaks.  Both of these products are very good. 
Best of Travels

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #9 –
The Locktite by Henkel looks like it is of equal quality to the Dicor, Sika and Vulchem products. I would not worry about the 24 hours statement from 3M. One problem with urethane caulk is that is does have a short shelf life once opened but you can easily tell when it has gone bad. It will become solid. If it is fluid it is still good. If it is stiff and hard to push out of the caulk gun, throw it away. 
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback
 

Re: Urethane Caulk

Reply #10 –
Thanks Kent! That is good info... Reassures me that I won't have to be doing this again all too soon ^.^d
Don
Quote from: Kent Speers –
The Locktite by Henkel looks like it is of equal quality to the Dicor, Sika and Vulchem products. I would not worry about the 24 hours statement from 3M. One problem with urethane caulk is that is does have a short shelf life once opened but you can easily tell when it has gone bad. It will become solid. If it is fluid it is still good. If it is stiff and hard to push out of the caulk gun, throw it away.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson