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05-14-2018, 07:23 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 28
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External Gaps / Cracks - Potential Leaks
I have a 2016 Forester 3051S with gaps / cracks near the driver's side rear corner. The first picture shows a gap just above the the rear horizontal molding just above the license plate. The second picture shows cracks where the corner molding is attached to outside edge of the rear cap. (don't know how to rotate the pic.) As you can see, we have full body paint on this motor home.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how I should make these repairs. I think that I have previously attempted to close the gap on the horizontal molding here and elsewhere with clear silicone caulking, although it has not proven to be a good long term repair. I have not yet attempted a repair to on the rear cap.
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05-14-2018, 07:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale Ma
Posts: 4,823
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dyeats
I have a 2016 Forester 3051S with gaps / cracks near the driver's side rear corner. The first picture shows a gap just above the the rear horizontal molding just above the license plate. The second picture shows cracks where the corner molding is attached to outside edge of the rear cap. (don't know how to rotate the pic.) As you can see, we have full body paint on this motor home.
I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how I should make these repairs. I think that I have previously attempted to close the gap on the horizontal molding here and elsewhere with clear silicone caulking, although it has not proven to be a good long term repair. I have not yet attempted a repair to on the rear cap.
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Do not use silicone on the outside of your rig. It doesn't last long and nothing else will stick to it especially paint. Use non-silicone based caulking.
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05-14-2018, 07:30 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,363
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I have the same cracks on my painted Forester. Struggling with same question. As stated silicone does not prove to be a long term repair. I am thinking colored exterior window caulk.
__________________
2016 Forester GTS 2801QSF
2011 Jeep JK Toad
Habitual RV Modifier
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05-14-2018, 07:40 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale Ma
Posts: 4,823
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtlm17
I have the same cracks on my painted Forester. Struggling with same question. As stated silicone does not prove to be a long term repair. I am thinking colored exterior window caulk.
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Check with your RV repair/supply house. I sure someone will jump in here soon. There are many different types. You can't use the Dicore self-leveling as it won't stay in place on a vertical surface..
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05-14-2018, 07:51 PM
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#5
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Certified Curmudgeon
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Here
Posts: 3,999
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I suggest you use one or more of these Dicor sealants. They are non-sag.
551LSB 10.3 oz. tube Black New!
551LSD 10.3 oz. tube Dove (Bright White)
551LSG 10.3 oz. tube Grey
551LST 10.3 oz. tube Tan
551LSV 10.3 oz. tube Ivory
551LSW 10.3 oz. tube White
__________________
Mike Dropped
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05-14-2018, 09:41 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 28
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This sounds very promising. Are the colors that you mention matching colors to the Forester Full Body Paints?
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05-15-2018, 04:19 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,363
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Colors will be close. Thay usually have a tan, dark brown, cream, etc
__________________
2016 Forester GTS 2801QSF
2011 Jeep JK Toad
Habitual RV Modifier
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05-15-2018, 07:05 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: NJ
Posts: 368
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__________________
2019 Jayco Greyhawk 29MV
2019 F-150 3.5 EB SCREW Max Tow - 1797 payload
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05-15-2018, 10:22 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 822
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Saw it recommended in another thread and used Geocel Proflex on my Forester a year and half ago. Looks like new now. I used the clear so I have a couple minor spots where painted caulk peeled and color doesn’t match. You need to apply and smooth quickly. It sets up pretty quick and is a sticky mess. Found it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001F...op_mb_pd_title
__________________
Happy Campin!
Forester 2451s
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05-15-2018, 09:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Pleasant Gap, PA
Posts: 458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wandering
Saw it recommended in another thread and used Geocel Proflex on my Forester a year and half ago. Looks like new now. I used the clear so I have a couple minor spots where painted caulk peeled and color doesn’t match. You need to apply and smooth quickly. It sets up pretty quick and is a sticky mess. Found it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001F...op_mb_pd_title
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X2.
Mask off the areas to be caulked so that you don't leave a mess.
__________________
2015 Solaire 201SS
2015 GMC 2500HD Duramax
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05-15-2018, 11:50 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 28
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It sounds to me like the ProFlex RV Sealant will work well on the horizontal molding.
However, I'm concerned about the crack on the edge of the rear cap. It seems to me that the crack in the paint may be developing because the molding is separating from the cap.
If that is the case, is a sealant a repair technique, or just a band aid? How do I figure out what is really going on?
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05-16-2018, 08:26 AM
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#12
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Certified Curmudgeon
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Here
Posts: 3,999
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Take a lightweight box, bolt it to a truck chassis, then hurdle down our ultra smooth higways exposing the box to gale force winds. It’s going to cause seams to separate, screws to fall out, paint to crack and fiberglass to bend. Keep it sealed to prevent water from getting in. Water will destroy an RV from the inside out. It’s the nature of the beast.
__________________
Mike Dropped
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05-16-2018, 08:36 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wandering
Saw it recommended in another thread and used Geocel Proflex on my Forester a year and half ago. Looks like new now. I used the clear so I have a couple minor spots where painted caulk peeled and color doesn’t match. You need to apply and smooth quickly. It sets up pretty quick and is a sticky mess. Found it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001F...op_mb_pd_title
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X2
If you need to smooth the Proflex out, wet your fingers first and keep dipping them in water. The only place I'd use silicone bathtub caulk is in a bath. Silicone is a bugger to remove and get a clean enough surface to put the right stuff on. ie. plastic scrapers, mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol and plenty of elbow grease!
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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