Eternabond - Yay or Nay

threebeachboys · 07-10-2023, 02:43 PM

Good Afternoon - I am new to this forum, but not to a-frame trailers. I have a newer, though out of warranty, Rockwood A122S with a small leak in the corner of the passenger side bubble window. I am debating as to paying the dealer to re-seal the window, doing the work myself or (gulp) installing Eternabond around the window - and perhaps eventually around all the windows. There is some information that I've found on this forum, but looking for more specifics.

One question is the cleaning process needed to install Eternabond. I am fortunate that the trailer is now stored indoors and I have scrubbed and cleaned around the window using soapy water. But I think that I should use something like mineral spirits, acetone, denatured alcohol or the like. However, I am concerned about a harsh cleaner like these damaging the window and/or the paint.

Any insight from those who have used a specific cleaner on these type areas? Should I spring for the expensive Eternabond cleaner? If I do, will it cause damage?

And finally, for those who have installed Eternabond, are you happy with it?

Thank you for any help. I hope I can "pay back" and help others going forward!

Pam

NMWildcat · 07-10-2023, 02:59 PM

Eternabond is a great product. But you are correct, cleaning before application is essential to success. I have used Eternabond many times, never bought the cleaner. Just used acetone or alcohol. Yes, it may discolor some surfaces, so test, or just use it only where it will be covered by the tape.

**bikendan** · 07-10-2023, 03:33 PM

Eternabond is a great product, except in the Arizona desert. We correctly prepped our trailer roof for it but after a year in the Arizona sun and heat, it wrinkled up like a piece of bacon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

Draggo · 07-10-2023, 03:43 PM

I did all my roof seams with it as preventative maintenance (our last trailer leaked from a seam even though I was maintaining the sealant) and it's been great for the last 4 years. I still check it but haven't had to keep resealing it. I just used alcohol to clean the areas and haven't had any issues. Overall I am very happy with it.

rsdata · 07-10-2023, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Any insight from those who have used a specific cleaner on these type areas? Should I spring for the expensive Eternabond cleaner? If I do, will it cause damage?

Just make sure the area is without grease, oil or surface dirt...
a good scrub with soap and water should be fine, followed up with rubbing alcohol to dry the area of moisture... maybe a hot air hair dryer...

Eternabond will stick like crazy to most any surface to the point where it would be tough to get off if misapplied... my roof preventive maintenance was done over the old roof/joint caulking back in 2016, although the caulk was not loose or cracking away from the substrate...still looks good and is making me a happy dry camper after 7 years.

NMWildcat · 07-10-2023, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Eternabond is a great product, except in the Arizona desert. We correctly prepped our trailer roof for it but after a year in the Arizona sun and heat, it wrinkled up like a piece of bacon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

I'm not saying this is what happened in your case, but 3 years ago we applied some Eternabond tape to my friend's RV, with the same result in less than a year. Puzzling, as the Eternabond on my roof is good after 7 or so years. And we live in the same general environment as you do.
We analyzed the packaging and did some digging about the seller he bought it from on Amazon. We think it was a knockoff, probably from China. Can't say for certain.
We removed the old stuff (not a fun job), and reapplied some Eternabond we got from a trusted RV tech we know, and it is still fine.
Bad batch, knock off? Who knows.

Terrys a194hw 2014 · 07-10-2023, 11:14 PM

Eternabond works great.I cleaned it with alcohol base cleaner with no residue.I also used a roller to help out with sealing and air bobbles.Its been 4-5 years now and works good.I also found a leak in the corners of the windows where it goes up.Little spider cracks,so I super glude the cracks.Cheaper then new windows and its worked for 3 years so far.Have a good day and welcome to the Forum

RickV · 07-11-2023, 04:30 AM

Our first 5ver was a 7 year old used one and the dicor around vents and other places on the roof did look very good, had lots of cracks and was separating from the roof. I removed it and cleaned the areas then, placed the Eternabond in those areas. I don't know if it made a difference but I took a heat gun and heated up the Eternabond to make it bond even better. We kept that 5ver for around 3 years and never had any problems and we never left Florida with it.

threebeachboys · 07-11-2023, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

Eternabond is a great product, except in the Arizona desert. We correctly prepped our trailer roof for it but after a year in the Arizona sun and heat, it wrinkled up like a piece of bacon.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

Wow, that's unfortunate. . .I am in NC, but the trailer is kept in the garage while not in use. But stories like yours concern me.

Thanks.

Pam

threebeachboys · 07-11-2023, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrys a194hw 2014

Eternabond works great.I cleaned it with alcohol base cleaner with no residue.I also used a roller to help out with sealing and air bobbles.Its been 4-5 years now and works good.I also found a leak in the corners of the windows where it goes up.Little spider cracks,so I super glude the cracks.Cheaper then new windows and its worked for 3 years so far.Have a good day and welcome to the Forum

Thanks. Do you happen to remember what cleaner you used?

Pam

threebeachboys · 07-11-2023, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I'm not saying this is what happened in your case, but 3 years ago we applied some Eternabond tape to my friend's RV, with the same result in less than a year. Puzzling, as the Eternabond on my roof is good after 7 or so years. And we live in the same general environment as you do.
We analyzed the packaging and did some digging about the seller he bought it from on Amazon. We think it was a knockoff, probably from China. Can't say for certain.
We removed the old stuff (not a fun job), and reapplied some Eternabond we got from a trusted RV tech we know, and it is still fine.
Bad batch, knock off? Who knows.

Thanks. It seems that the main place to buy Eternabond is Amazon. I'll need to be careful as to the seller. If I decide to take the plunge. . .

Pam

Brandoni · 07-11-2023, 06:39 AM

We've had our (new to us) A122 for three years now. . .
A previous owner has applied eternabond around the Skylight.
Skylight remains waterproof and the tape remains flat (I did need to clean above the tape a year ago, black crud gathered there)
I've purchased eterbabond for sealing around the fan, but not applied it yet.
I believe in the product.
The eternabond was purchased from an RV shop so I'm hoping it's the real thing.

threebeachboys · 07-16-2023, 08:13 PM

Well, I took the plunge this afternoon and installed Eternabond tape on two sides of one of the bubble windows. It was extremely easy to work with and appears to be sticking quite well.

One of my biggest concern was how to clean the area without damaging the bubble window. From what I could find, mineral spirits were recommended for the window. So I washed with soap and water, dried the area and let it sit. Then cleaned with mineral spirits and wiped down with alcohol. I used 2" tape, installing only 2-4 inches in length at a time, rolling it and pressing with my fingers as I went along. I used the handle of the roller to press into any creases. Then I rolled everything again when I was finished. I think it turned out fine. I used black as that matches the color of the window. I will install the other 2 sides of that window sometime this week. Then see how it all holds up before I do any more on the trailer.

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice!

Pam

TEDRONEJR · 07-24-2023, 06:26 PM

Had a used A-liner that leaked around the windows. I tried re-caulking around the edges, but didn't help.

I wound up using white Eternabond tape around all the bubble windows, 1/2 on the window material and half on the roof panels. This stopped the leaks.

If I looked at the corners of those bubble windows, the mold at he corners (before the flair to the flat) was very complex. Over time, I suspect ultra-viiolte light attacked those stressed corners and caused them to craze, so that in a moderate rain water would seep in through the crazing. The tape stopped those leaks.

Maybe I should have tried to use Super Glue on the cazed corners - didn't think about that.....but I was concerned. The bezel frame on the inside of those windows all had their screws rusty - to the leaking had been happening for some time.

MNtraveler · 07-24-2023, 07:49 PM

Here are the reasons not to. That said, there are many, many, many, many supporters of Eternabond on this forum. You obviously can do whatever seems right to you. I will always use Dicor self-leveling on the roof and non-leveling on the side walls.

https://www.rvtravel.com/group-shoul...-rv-roof-1082/

1100mike · 07-25-2023, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Here are the reasons not to. That said, there are many, many, many, many supporters of Eternabond on this forum. You obviously can do whatever seems right to you. I will always use Dicor self-leveling on the roof and non-leveling on the side walls.

https://www.rvtravel.com/group-shoul...-rv-roof-1082/

It removes pretty easily with a heat gun..

I taped all my seams 3 years ago. Works great. Still looks like new.

threebeachboys · 07-25-2023, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEDRONEJR

Had a used A-liner that leaked around the windows. I tried re-caulking around the edges, but didn't help.

I wound up using white Eternabond tape around all the bubble windows, 1/2 on the window material and half on the roof panels. This stopped the leaks.........

Thanks for replying; I am hoping I have similar success.

threebeachboys · 07-25-2023, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Here are the reasons not to. That said, there are many, many, many, many supporters of Eternabond on this forum. You obviously can do whatever seems right to you. I will always use Dicor self-leveling on the roof and non-leveling on the side walls.

https://www.rvtravel.com/group-shoul...-rv-roof-1082/

Thanks for the comment. I am still a bit tentative about the installation. . . And you are correct that Dicor makes a great product and I've used it in the past - once to repair a fingertip size hole in a roof.

threebeachboys · 07-25-2023, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100mike

It removes pretty easily with a heat gun..

I taped all my seams 3 years ago. Works great. Still looks like new.

Thanks for the comment. I hope my installation will be as successful. I did feel better about it after I watched several videos showing the removal process - it may be cumbersome to remove, but it is doable.

PapaGlenn · 07-25-2023, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Here are the reasons not to. That said, there are many, many, many, many supporters of Eternabond on this forum. You obviously can do whatever seems right to you. I will always use Dicor self-leveling on the roof and non-leveling on the side walls.

https://www.rvtravel.com/group-shoul...-rv-roof-1082/

They are talking about RVs with rubber roof membranes in the video. Very different animal from the structures being discussed here.

You may also like: