Eternabond - Some Before And After Photos

Willis · 10-26-2010, 02:27 PM

Application of the tape is pretty straightforward, though time intensive as you will need to work slowly and carefully. The plastic film covering the adhesive separates fairly easily at a corner. It is VERY sticky. I used acetone to clean the surface, as well as to clean the goo off my scissors and fingers. Be careful about putting down an opened roll on its side...it will stick!

Curves are tricky. To get the tape to stick if the radius is too tight involves cutting the tape and overlapping the cut sections. I also worked back-to-front like doing shingles on a roof. That is, as layers were overlapped I wanted the highest overlap to be toward the front of the trailer.

The front seal using 8-inch wide tape:

Willis · 10-26-2010, 02:30 PM

The skylight and some other fixtures using 4-inch tape.

MtnGuy · 10-26-2010, 02:33 PM

Neat looking job !!

tmmar · 10-26-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Neat looking job !!

I agree. (do you make housecalls?)

**Herk7769** · 10-26-2010, 02:49 PM

Good Job Willis!

Goomph · 10-26-2010, 03:59 PM

Looks good !

One question, Did you apply the eternabond over the existing caulking ? Based on the pictures that's what I think you did ? I thought eternabond had to be applied onto the area directly, am I wrong ? I am thinking of doing the same myself next year.

realebill · 10-26-2010, 04:09 PM

you sure that's not pics of my trailer? i did the same thing at the end of the summer after discovering a leak in the shower skylight. i believe i caught the leak early so i'm hoping there isn't any serious damage. i took the inside of the skylight off and noticed the edge of the plywood roof was starting to turn black.i'll check it at the end of the year and again in the spring.its a 2008 rockwood #8315SS.

Willis · 10-26-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goomph

Looks good !

One question, Did you apply the eternabond over the existing caulking ? Based on the pictures that's what I think you did ? I thought eternabond had to be applied onto the area directly, am I wrong ? I am thinking of doing the same myself next year.

Yes, I put it over the existing caulking, though I did try to clean up some of the poorly applied spots like in the first photo above. After reading a bunch of articles on the Eternabond.com site, it didn't seem necessary to remove the caulk, especially if it was still in decent shape and not brittle or cracked or coming off. One thing that could be important is the warning that Eternabond will not stick to silicone. So I didn't wash any of the roof with any soap or cleaner that might have had some silicone in it. The mfg says some cleaners will cause problems with the tape sticking. I used acetone to clean the area before I applied the tape and it seemed to stick really well to both roof and caulk.

My roof has only gone through one winter (at the mfg/dealer before I bought it), so except for a few spots the seals were all in very good shape and the sealer still pliable and well-adhered. My theory is that the caulk already provided a good seal while still fairly new and the tape will seal it in even more and protect it from the usual degradation over time.

I did purchase and use a weighted metal seam roller. It was only $18, but probably not necessary. As the job went on I used it less and less. Just pressing down firmly with one's fingers seems to do a good job.

BTW, I used one 4-inch roll and one 8-inch roll (50ft long each). I still have a lot of the 8-inch roll left over and actually cut it length-wise to do some of the last bits of the job rather than open another 4-inch roll. I really think most rigs could get by with just the two rolls (i.e., one 4in and one 8in).

crocus · 10-26-2010, 04:45 PM

Greta job!
I also applied mine right over the exisiting caulking. As our camper was brand new, the caulking was still sticky, so I hope the bond will be really good. And like you, I figured two seals were better than one!

Hatchet58 · 10-26-2010, 05:59 PM

Now I see something Else I'll have to do, just like owning a home, show me someone who cant find Nothing to do, and I'll show you a Lazy Rv owner

I do have to redo the slidout skylite anyway LOL

BigRed · 10-26-2010, 08:36 PM

Nice job !

gregm59 · 10-30-2010, 02:04 PM

Ditto on the nice job. When I was cleaning the roof a few weeks ago, I noticed some of the caulk around the skylight was starting to develop some small cracks. Nothing all the way through the caulk, but I thought I would apply the eternabond. Off to Camping World... I couldn't find any eternabond and asked. The counter person acted like they never heard of it (no surprise), but said they recently switched to carrying only dicor products. Dicor does make tape similar to the eternabond. I bought it and applied it. It looks like the eternabond I've used in the past so we'll see how it holds up. It did seem less sticky at first, but once I started pressing it down, it got really sticky. It seems like it will work. I'll try to keep everyone posted.

frankm · 11-01-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willis

I used acetone to clean the area before I applied the tape and it seemed to stick really well to both roof and caulk.

Willis great job! This is #1 on my to do list while the TT is still new and the caulk/sealer is relatively clean. One question, when you say you cleaned the area with acetone before applying, did you clean the caulk itself with acetone or just the area to either side of it?

Willis · 11-01-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankm

Willis great job! This is #1 on my to do list while the TT is still new and the caulk/sealer is relatively clean. One question, when you say you cleaned the area with acetone before applying, did you clean the caulk itself with acetone or just the area to either side of it?

I cleaned both the caulk (as best I could) and the roof area. When layering I wiped the tape too. Didn't seem to hurt the caulk at all as acetone evaporates almost instantly.

mTn_biKer65 · 05-11-2011, 12:54 PM

I see you used 8" tape on the end seams. Would 6" be sufficient or is 8" the only way to do it without overlapping?

**Herk7769** · 05-11-2011, 01:30 PM

Just finished my tape job and I used the "Seam Kit" 6 inch EBtape. It covered fine except for the area around the Satellite Antenna. I needed a 4 inch tape patch there. Photos when I get back up on the roof.

beanpup · 05-11-2011, 02:18 PM

Dumb question...
Is this stuff forever? or would you need to replace it like you would reg. caulk? We just bought a new tt 2011 and I have read all the good things about this stuff, but don't want to void any warranty etc. by using it...just wondering what the norm. is for keeping the tt in the best shape over the years and during warranty period? thanks in advance.
BTW it looks way better...nice job

brianb · 05-11-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanpup

Dumb question...
Is this stuff forever? or would you need to replace it like you would reg. caulk? We just bought a new tt 2011 and I have read all the good things about this stuff, but don't want to void any warranty etc. by using it...just wondering what the norm. is for keeping the tt in the best shape over the years and during warranty period? thanks in advance.
BTW it looks way better...nice job

If done right it's supposed to last "essentially" forever (25 years or something). Having dealt with leaks and caulking on a popup, I will be doing this on my new TT in the fall. As others have mentioned I plan to apply it over the existing new caulk for an extra layer of protection. Then just inspect the roof yearly for any issues but no more yearly caulking and worry.

**Herk7769** · 05-11-2011, 02:53 PM

Ditto. If there was more than a yearly "look see" it would not be worth the money.

I hated the caulk. It looked like crap going on; it was messy to apply; stuck to everything but the roof; and within a week it was covered with mildew.

jimh · 05-11-2011, 11:13 PM

did u see this?

YouTube - Anatomy of a Roof Installation

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