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Topic: Crummy caulking. (Read 990 times) previous topic - next topic

Crummy caulking.

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:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #1 –
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
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Rich Bowman –
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
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #3 –
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.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
The home stores sell silicone and caulking removers that don't have nasty solvents - Motsenbockers is the brand I've used before.
Thanks John, that info & product type is what I needed.!  :dance:
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #5 –
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??
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #7 –
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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
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.  :)
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Rich Bowman –
It could actually be silicone caulk which tends to attach dirt.  Per Rance at Extreme, it is what you should use in that location.

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.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #10 –
Rance said clear silicone caulk.  I did my seams while I was there in May.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #11 –
Quote from: krush –
Does Race say use silicone or caulk? Aren't the two different?  I think i remember 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.
Hmm, do we have a definite answer? Being a Airstream owner for 25 years, I used no caulk.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #12 –
My goto is loctite PL-S30 or PL-S40.  It is amazing stuff, Home Depot has it.  *almost* permanent but not quite.

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Mark Duckworth –
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.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Mark Duckworth –
He's a function over form guy
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.  :))
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'
 

Re: Crummy caulking.

Reply #16 –
Since the coach was repainted by the immediate previous owner-- suspect the shop choose the caulk.  But, that is only a guess.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020