Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-11-2017, 10:56 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
Dinette skylite leak

Well after owing this fiver for more than 4 years finally had a issue. We went camping in San Luis Obispo and the last day it rained real hard next morning when I checked everything out there was no leaks found. Went home the next day and was late so left it outside with slide out. Went out the next day to finish putting everything away and clean noticed some water drops on the wall further checking found that the seat was soaked. Kept looking and found water dripping from corner of skylight. It had rained that night at home but real light. After moving to my carport I opened slides and checked on top found that the eternabond tape looks to be wavy and bubbled up. Have ordered new Tape and primer and try to repair myself. My question is What is the best way to remove the old tape from under the slide seal without removing the wiper seal? It seems to go right up to the wall seal and runs across the roof to the skylight and all the way up to the outer wall I was thinking they did it this way to allow the wiper seal to flip and not dig into the tape running the other way. But I don't think I can copy the way they did it without removing seal which I do not want to remove any Ideas would be appreciated TIA.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2017, 09:50 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Islander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 487
Hey there 'ontonford'... seems that we have more than one thing in common...
1 almost the same truck
2 my wildcat has the same problem with wrinkled eternabond tape, however, not leaking yet.
Mine only goes around the skylight and not in under the slide seal rubber.

I am eagerly awaiting for someone to chime in who has had good success removing the eternabond tape with out harming the rubber roof membrane....and has some good tips that will help.

Thanks

Islander
__________________
'07 WildCat 30 RLBS ~ West Coast Edition ~
Trail Air - Tri Glide Pin Box
2000 F350 Lariat DRW 4x4 7.3 Diesel 89k miles
Edge programmer, 4" SS exhaust turbo/back,
Tru-Cool Max Trans Cooler, Bilstein Shocks
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Islander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2017, 09:33 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
Ok so I started to remove the eterna bond tape OMG it is really hard in some places other places came off OK but found two different places where the tape allowed water in. Also found a spot that looks like a star crack just under the tape at the corner. Now I have to replace the plexi I will get a sheet of lexan from Home Depot in the morning then I will remove the old one and reglue the rubber roof around window where it is bulging up. Where they put the screws they over tightened them which pushed the rubber out. I also think that is what broke the plexi. Looks like a disaster right now but will take some photos when I'm done. I found if you heat the eterna bond tape it makes it come apart and you end up with a lot of stickey mess which they say is OK because it will be absorbed into the new tape we'll see. Found if you slowly pull up tape and I mean slow and take a dull putty knife and push at the point where it meets the rubber roof it come off pretty good but is real slow. I also found if you take and roll your fingers against the glue it will peel off the rubber but it also makes your fingers sticky and after awhile it will cause blisters so that is no go. Tried to clean with acetone and some come off but not all. Boy this is going to be a lot of work for me now. But I will fix it. The only place I can't put the rubber roof down is along the edge I don't want to take all the trim off and have to reseal it so just going for the tape along the edge like before as I had no water leaks there.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 10:32 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Islander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nanaimo
Posts: 487
Well... it sounds like you are off to a good start .

So the acetone isn't much help with the sticky glue of the tape... I wonder if white gas (camping stove fuel) would help? It was recommended to me a while ago by an RV teck to remove old and prep for caulking around windows and most other places .
I have used it for years but not on the rubber roof for fear that it may cause the rubber roof glue to let go.
It dries fast and leaves no film like paint solvent (thinners).

You said that you applied heat to help release the tape, was it a heat gun or hair dryer ?

That's too bad that the factory monkeys drove the screws too far to crack the plexi...that sucks.

Hey... I know it's a lot of work... but just think how much you are saving !
Not only 'dollars'... but the headaches that can come with dealing with the RV repair shop .

Look forward to those pictures. Keep up the Good Work !

Islander
__________________
'07 WildCat 30 RLBS ~ West Coast Edition ~
Trail Air - Tri Glide Pin Box
2000 F350 Lariat DRW 4x4 7.3 Diesel 89k miles
Edge programmer, 4" SS exhaust turbo/back,
Tru-Cool Max Trans Cooler, Bilstein Shocks
Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
Islander is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 11:51 AM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 32
I've used 3m general purpose adhesive remover to remove eternabond and silicone if needed. A little on a small square of material works well. Change the cloth often
as it gums up quickly
AlanZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 09:02 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
OK today I removed the tape around the plexi found that if you leave it cold no heat you can take a putty knife and make the end flat and round the corners. Then pull the tape back slowly and take the putty knife and work it across the point where it is trying to pull from the rubber roof and slowly rock the putty knife back and forth. Keep pulling on the tape trying not to stretch it and you will see it slowly peeling from the rubber it takes time and patience but it will come off real clean compared to the other way and a lot less mess. It took all day just for the two sides of the window I had left still need to clean the rest and start putting on the new tape. Wish I could get rid of the bubbles on the rubber roof where it has the flange but after removing some screws on the flange it just won't budge and I'm not sure how they have it attached. So it will be taped the same way as before as it didn't leak there. I will post some picts at next post. Need to get the photos off my camera and resize them to fit here.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 09:49 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
Click image for larger version

Name:	inside tape end.JPG
Views:	95
Size:	109.3 KB
ID:	128370
This is the inside view of what I call the runner tape.
Click image for larger version

Name:	outside tape end.JPG
Views:	108
Size:	104.9 KB
ID:	128371
This is the outside view of the same runner tape
Click image for larger version

Name:	Tape around plastic 1.JPG
Views:	82
Size:	107.6 KB
ID:	128372
This is the view of the plexi glass window (lower right is where I found leak.)
Click image for larger version

Name:	Tape around plastic 2.JPG
Views:	92
Size:	120.2 KB
ID:	128373
The other side of plexi window (notice the runner tape this side same as other.)
Click image for larger version

Name:	Tape around plastic 3.JPG
Views:	89
Size:	111.0 KB
ID:	128374
(notice the screw heads are wearing thru) this is how they put them. I plan to counter sink and put flat heads in. Also I am going to use Lexan instead of acrylic it is stronger and is not supposed to yellow for ten years. Had to buy a 36 X 48 sheet was $70 dollars wow. I made the Lexan about 1" larger and that way I hope that the bubbles in the rubber are covered and the screws are father from the edge to keep the rubber from bubbling up.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 10:01 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
Click image for larger version

Name:	corner were leak is right corner.JPG
Views:	89
Size:	111.4 KB
ID:	128375
Tape completely removed from Plexi.
Click image for larger version

Name:	closeup of cracked plastic.JPG
Views:	92
Size:	106.6 KB
ID:	128376
Close up of Crack in Plexi.
Click image for larger version

Name:	corner where I found leak.JPG
Views:	97
Size:	103.8 KB
ID:	128377
With the tape in place you could not see crack I noticed that tape was not sticking in that corner and was wet...
Click image for larger version

Name:	leak is on left where it came out right.JPG
Views:	89
Size:	62.1 KB
ID:	128378
The water traveled thru the plastic cover ring and came out where stain is.
The plastic ring was cut uneven and was pushing up on Plexi right where center of star shaped crack was. I will trim it square all the way around so it won't touch Lexan. Still need to finish up cleaning up the white caulking they had around Plexi if I can find something to cut it.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 10:10 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
bsmall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Elk Grove, CA.
Posts: 285
Dinette skylite leak

Next post
__________________

Bill
2020 GMC Duramax-3500HD 4x4 CrewCab
B&W Companion 25K Fifth Wheel Hitch
2010 Wildcat 28RKBS (West Coast Model)
56 Gallon Titan Tank
bsmall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 10:13 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
bsmall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Elk Grove, CA.
Posts: 285
Hi onetonford sorry to hear of your leak at the skylight.
Sounds and looks like you've got it all figured out.
I had the same issue couple years ago in the skylight over the shower. Screw too tight cracking the plastic. Changed it out and still doing great even after our hard rains.
__________________

Bill
2020 GMC Duramax-3500HD 4x4 CrewCab
B&W Companion 25K Fifth Wheel Hitch
2010 Wildcat 28RKBS (West Coast Model)
56 Gallon Titan Tank
bsmall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2017, 10:30 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
Hi Bill


long time since I have seen you post. I live just down the road from you in Manteca. Sure miss the wildcat forum. You know what though we were camping in san Margarita the day before I found the leak and the Rain was coming down in buckets I checked for leaks that day but everything was dry. The next day we left for home and at home we opened up slides to clean out camper before putting away was to late to do that so we left it as was. That night it drizzled and was no wind in morning I continued to clean up and found water drops on wall??? kept checking and found cushion soaked kept looking and saw drop of water coming from screw in corner of skylight bummer.....
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2017, 12:56 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
bsmall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Elk Grove, CA.
Posts: 285
It's been awhile since my last post. Been recovering from a ladder accident I had Dec 2015. I'm slowly coming around and getting better. It's been over a year since I've had the wildcat out.
Hopefully we'll get it out this summer.
__________________

Bill
2020 GMC Duramax-3500HD 4x4 CrewCab
B&W Companion 25K Fifth Wheel Hitch
2010 Wildcat 28RKBS (West Coast Model)
56 Gallon Titan Tank
bsmall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2017, 12:43 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
Hope you are getting better and will be getting out camping.
Yes I only been out 1 time in the last 2 years because of job. But now since retired in October I plan on more. Just need to finish this project and use it again soon.
Have reservations in June for Morro Bay with my brother he just bought a Keystone Fifth wheel and sold a Lance Camper so it will be a first time pull for him in a long time.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2017, 10:23 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
OK today I got The new skylite installed and sealed up. Now waiting for the sealant to dry before taping with new Eternabond tape. Will try to get done tomorrow. And be completed with no issues.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	New Window in place 1.JPG
Views:	64
Size:	131.0 KB
ID:	128425  
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2017, 10:39 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
bsmall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Elk Grove, CA.
Posts: 285
Job Well Done
__________________

Bill
2020 GMC Duramax-3500HD 4x4 CrewCab
B&W Companion 25K Fifth Wheel Hitch
2010 Wildcat 28RKBS (West Coast Model)
56 Gallon Titan Tank
bsmall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-21-2017, 10:42 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
I'll post more Pictures when I get it done.
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-22-2017, 04:46 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
onetonford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
OK last picture and although I wish it came out better it will be no leaks. It still has the bubbles just not as bad but the real problem was the cracked plexi so it is better than what was there.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	completed.JPG
Views:	61
Size:	120.1 KB
ID:	128487  
__________________

2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
onetonford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2017, 03:54 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Bako88fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 114
Wow nice work. Looks like I need to get up on the ladder and check mine out.
__________________
2008 Wildcat 29RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
4x4 z71 Crew Cab Duramax/Allison
Bako88fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-28-2017, 12:27 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NW Illinois
Posts: 193
Nice job, thanks for the info. I have a skylight in my slide and that is always a concern.
__________________
2016 Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 292BHDS
FRRVR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
leak, lite

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:37 AM.