Anyone know of a similar sealant?

"VincentMalamute-Kim" (VincentMalamute-Kim)
08/16/2020 at 15:19 • Filed to: None

I’m redoing my friend’s RV AC installation that a repair shop bodged badly. The original sealant that Roadtrek used seems great.

16 years later, it is still flexible and sealing. It’s also very easy to remove, peeling off cleanly - no need for scraping and solvents. It’s firmly attached despite ease of removal.

Internet recommends Geocell Proflex RV but no one comments on how easy it is to remove years later.

Anyone know of a sealant that even approaches these qualities? I especially love how cleanly it removes.

DISCUSSION (25)

barnie > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:33

I used straight Butyl on Sparrow’ s portlights and they don’t leak after 15 years. Sealer is still malleable . I’ve cranked the bolts down a quarter-turn twice just to be sure. Easy to work with, never hardens, sealant, not adhesive. Got mine from Newfound Metals ( https://newfoundmetals.com/product/butyl-bedding/ ). T hey also sell rolls of sheet but you have to ask for it. There are other vendors for butyl .

Echo51 > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:35

very certainly looks like butyl rubber.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:37

I used to work for my friend’s dad doing solar in Hawaii when I was younger, we used Lexel and it was amazing stuff. I know people that like Geocell products too. I don’t think they are really designed to come off too easily without a torch haha, Lexel is self sealing when it gets hot.

onlytwowheels > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:37

Butyl sealant tape, available in various width and thickness.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Echo51
08/16/2020 at 15:42

hmm, it’s coming off like rubber. But the surface had the marks of being spread as a caulk. Is there a b utyl rubber caulk?

VincentMalamute-Kim > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
08/16/2020 at 15:44

“I don’t think they are really designed to come off too easily without a torch haha,”

I really want something that comes off cleanly like the original used on the RV. I’m not clear on your sentence - which one, Lexel or Geocell, are you saying does n’t come off without a torch? Or are you saying neither comes off easily?

VincentMalamute-Kim > barnie
08/16/2020 at 15:46

Good idea but I need something adhesive but would like something that comes off easily like whatever Roadtrek originally used .

VincentMalamute-Kim > onlytwowheels
08/16/2020 at 15:47

I’ll look into that. Thanks.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:49

Neither is really meant to come off easily, they are made to seal it up. I have had to burn both off aluminum and wipe with a rag in between shots. That black stuff looks rubbery more than silicone, and it looks old so it has dried out.

Echo51 > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:52

Think of it as industrial bluetac or similar. usually comes as a tape on a roll or in similar forms, if not sheets i believe. it’ll spread/push out like a caulk but won’t harden/actually glue stuff together from what i tried

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 15:55

Yeah they do make rolls of tape like that, there may be some variant of VHB that could work as well.

VincentMalamute-Kim > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
08/16/2020 at 16:10

Roadtrek OEM sealant. It’s old but it’s still very flexible. It was 100% sealing but was still somehow removes cleanly.

VincentMalamute-Kim > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
08/16/2020 at 16:10

ooh, good point about VHB. But that is supposed to be permanent.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Echo51
08/16/2020 at 16:12

It’d be nice to find something adhesive as well as cleanly removable as that OEM Roadtrek sealant. Starting to think maybe there isn’t anything.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 16:13

They have several strengths, I use all types on shows. I think the grey one is not supposed to be permanent, there are a few.

https://www.alliedelec.com/m/d/e4e1ef3b96100de3bc461d617b0cdfa2.pdf

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 17:34

Another +1 for butyl. That's exactly what's pictured.

gettingoldercarguy > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 18:01

Look in the roofing section at the big box home improvement stores.

VincentMalamute-Kim > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/16/2020 at 18:43

Thanks. Found butyl sealant on Home Depot’s site.

VincentMalamute-Kim > gettingoldercarguy
08/16/2020 at 18:43

Thanks. Found butyl sealant on Home Depot’s site.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Echo51
08/16/2020 at 18:44

Thanks. Found butyl sealant in a caulk tube on Home Depot’s site.

VincentMalamute-Kim > barnie
08/16/2020 at 18:44

Thanks. Found butyl sealant in a caulk tube on Home Depot’s site.

barnie > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/16/2020 at 20:41

Cool. I was wondering why you need the adhesive. Isn’t the unit bolted in place? If so, like my windows, then all we need is sealant . Butyl is kinda gooey but nice stuff to work with over time . Sparrow’s teak deck is sealed to the wood underlay with butyl and hasn’t cracked, creeped or leaked in all thes e years, either, despite my lack of maintenance .

VincentMalamute-Kim > barnie
08/16/2020 at 21:03

The RV place idiots bought a Walmart home unit and bolted the rear down and just caulked the front. I’m gonna have to use an adhesive caulk to attach a frame but for water sealing everything I’m going with the butyl caulk.

yeah, I’m really impressed how pliable and intact that butyl has remained after 16 years while remaining so removable.

Echo51 > VincentMalamute-Kim
08/18/2020 at 08:08

Nice! test before you commit/to learn how well it works :)

VincentMalamute-Kim > Echo51
08/18/2020 at 09:46

oh yeah. Thx!