Which Caulk to Use?

[mekkerlc]

I've done plenty of reading on this forum, and have come to the realization that silicone caulk is not 'preferred' to most experienced RV'ers. So, there in lies my question, which is the ideal caulk to use for the following, each of which I need to do:

1) Caulk on the top side of the 'D' Seal on one of my slide-outs; which I need to replace and the current 'D' Seal has a bead of caulk on the top of it; my slides currently do not have a topper. (surfaces are rubber to fiberglass)

2) Caulk in and around the different seams of the shower in the bathroom. (surfaces are plastic to plastic to painted metal)

3) Caulk potential exterior water leak locations (non-roof), such as the corner of the flange of a slide out. (surfaces are plastic to aluminum to fiberglass)

4) Caulk around window trim. (surfaces are metal to fiberglass)

5) Caulk around roof seams and trim pieces, such as roof vents, skylights, new tank-vent install, etc...


Any other areas I'm not thinking of?!
I appreciate any recommendations! I do 99% of my purchasing via Amazon, so I am hopeful all can be found on there!

[Bowmanville SVT255S]

Proflex outside except roof..come in different colours..have mineral spirits or acetone (be careful can make pigment run..personal experience) Proflex RV is more difficult to work with then silicone or latex

On the roof Dicor or Eternabond tape..same chem prep.

In side I'm not sure if you can get away with house hold...good ?

[dieselguy]

Hummnnn ... although I don't use it on my rubber roof, I use silicone caulk about everywhere else. Good adhesion, doesn't yellow, keeps the water out, easy cleanup with mineral spirits.

[doc73]

Responded to your PM about the D seal sealant. Used Sikaflex 221 from the RV dealer. on the other stuff I used the Sikaflex on the outside seams and silicone to seal around the bathroom seams. The silicone type sealers would not bond to the bulb seal. I also sealed the cabinet seams at the floor with silicone to keep liquids from running under them if we have a little one spill a glass of something.

[Harkerr]

I use silicone unless need to paint it. Then use a paintable one

[itat]

On the roof I use either Dicor or Alpha Systems self-leveling sealant for TPO roofs.

On the exterior walls I use ProFlex RV or SikaFlex 221.

Inside I use DAP ALEX PLUS "Acrylic Latex Caulk plus Silicone".

[5picker]

Here's a *LIST* of Geocel products supplied to the OEM's.
I had the factory supply me caulking for the exterior and it was Geocel brand.

I also had them supply caulking for the TPO roof and it was ALPHA brand.
Alpha stuff can be found *HERE* (scroll to the bottom for sealants)

[mekkerlc]

ALL excellent information.
Thank you!
I hope to have decent weather next week to take a stab at several caulking issues. Fingers crossed!!

[TreeLady]

Originally Posted by doc73

I also sealed the cabinet seams at the floor with silicone to keep liquids from running under them if we have a little one spill a glass of something.

This is a great idea! Sometimes adults spill stuff too! Another Honey Do job for my DH.

[Wolverine 1945]

I covered the screw heads on the Sunseeker the other day with Duck Patch,,, seamed to work well,,, only time will tell !!!
And I did find a couple where the screw heads had broken off,,, nice little hole ???

[Cool Canuck]

I was told to use an elastomeric caulk on the RV. That is a highend acrylic. Paintable and water clean up. Silicon vulcanizes and is impervious to water. Good around plumbing. Silicon handles high temperatures really well but not abrasion.. It will not stick to itself and is a bear to remove. Just about nothing else will stick to silicon either. This makes recaulking around the shower a difficult task as you have to get it all off.

Just my .02 cents. I use PofFex on the exterior for the most part.

[steelpony5555]

For the roof use Eterna Bond tape and forget about ever caulking it again....