Alpha Systems Roof Repair

[robertew]

I damaged the membrane on my TPO roof, on the slop behind the front cap. I removed the lose membrane, cleaned the area with acetone and applied a patch from Alpha Systems using a Scotch Brand adhesive recommended by Alpha. I used Alpha's self leveling caulk-though it didn't self level, around the patch. After a 1200 mile trip, examination revealed the patch was gone. I again cleaned the area, removing the caulk and carefully installed Eternabond tape, overlapping by a half inch and caulked the circumference with a different brand of self leveling adhesive. After a 400 mile trip, the Eternabond tape was lose and in some areas, pealed back. With both attempts to patch, I rolled the area over and over again. I'm open to suggestions.

[5picker]

I'd be contacting Alpha for discussion.

They have been very helpful the couple of times I've contacted them.
800 462-4698

[ray98]

I would try a different prep method. Eternabond is so sticky there has to be something compromising it on the surface for it to peel.

[robertew]

I'd agree on the sticky part. When I installed it, I'd have thought you could pick up the trailer, the bond was so tight. Yet, on examination now. the strips seemed to have shrunk with glue showing on the ends and side. I have to believe that the residual glue on the wood deck and the air flow over this area are the issues but nothing I've tried in the solvent line has dissolved it. I keep thinking that this can't be a new problem. The kind Alpha person, said that I need to use a water based glue to glue membrane to the wood and a plastic glue to glue the membrane to membrane. On the original patch with TPO, I used Scotch 77 as they had recommended and that patch came off completely.

[txredfish]

Eternabond makes a good prep cleaner. You could use acetone as a cleaner. I have used Eternabond before and it never came up. It was on my TT after 7 years when I traded.
I would also discuss this with Eternabond. They are very helpful.

[tomrob1161]

I would question the use of Acetone or any other petroleum product for cleaning. I would suggest you call Alpha for instructions on the repair. Note attached information regarding Alpha Roof Care

[robertew]

The reason I used Acetone was because I understood it was like the primer for Eternabond as txredfish said above. I used it quite sparingly. Unfortunately, it didn't cut the residual glue on the deck from the initial TPO installation. I have talked with Alpha, again and they are sending me what they think I need. Meanwhile, I hope to learn something from local dealers except, "We replace the whole roof material. And, we really don't like to do that ($6000)." Thanks for your efforts of support and suggestions. Someone has to know the key to this dilemma.

[itat]

What about screwing down some thin sheet metal and then put TPO and Eternabond over that? Whatever you do short of complete replacement of the entire original TPO membrane, it's going to look like repair job.

BTW, acetone should be avoided on the TPO. It's used to clean existing sealant before covering with Eternabond.

[Bama Rambler]

I would sand the exposed wood to remove the old adhesive and rough up the surface, then clean it well.

Once you do that, the eternabond should stick well.

[5picker]

Also... there are several different 'styles' of Eternabond tapes.
Some use primers, some do not.
Some have to be 'activated' by rolling or pressure.
Maybe you got the wrong type tape?

[robertew]

I did have the right kind of tape and rolled it with a lot of pressure in all directions, for a period of time. I intend to scrape/sand the old adhesive and hopefully, remove it. Alpha is sending me what they say I need to do the job. They recommend cutting the patch to fit the cutout then, after bonding, caulking around the patch. Each time I've tried to repair this, three times so far with different techniques,more of the non-damaged TPO becomes unbonded. I'm surprised how many places on the roof aren't bonded, anyway. I'd think with ideal factory conditions, there wouldn't be unbonded areas. Incidentally, the tan Eternabond is much lighter in color than the TPO.

[Goff]

What is the required maintenance for a Alpha System Super Flex Membrane roof. The dealer ship where I bought it said I had to bring in in once a year to have a ultraviolet protectant coating put on it which cost $450. However, I read that this will ruin the roof? Does anyone have experience with this roof. It is on a 2016 Flagstaff 23 FB.