Installing ETERNA-BOND Tape ahead of time to be "Pro-active"

[stephensatt]

So I was watching this video , and this guy was claiming to make the rubber roofs bullet proof by installing Eterna Bond tape on all the seams ahead of time, before it starts to crack and split.

Has anyone done this and would you recommend it? Its seems like a good idea but I have never used Eterna Bond and don't know how good it is.

https://youtu.be/5SCWISz52cw

[1100mike]

I waited a few years, but mine stays under cover most of the year. Taped all the seams. It's good stuff..

[Iwritecode]

Yes, lots and lots of people have done it.

Do a search here for "Eternabond". You'll have days of reading.

[stephensatt]

Ok thanks. I am gonna do it. I was on the fence about waiting awhile. The RV is now 2 years old, has the usual white rubber roof. Its a 2020 NOBO 19.1, the box is 25ft long. Total length 28ft.

[wharfrat48]

I did it as well, but be aware that removal is difficult if not impossible. If you need to replace a skylight or other roof item, it will be tough.

[Draggo]

I did it after a year but that's only because I didn't get to it the first year I owned the trailer. Peace of mind after having some severe water leaks in our old trailer.

[D W]

A guy down the street from me has an older TT. His roof is 90% Eternabond tape. He says it's cheaper than a new roof.

[Chuck_S]

I Eternabond taped the front and rear caps in 2005 and the last I looked they're still taped and sealed. Taped right over the existing sealant, lumps and all. No one can see my roof from ground level so I don't care if it looks a bit industrial. I bought the tape from a commercial roofing supply house, not a RV place. Probably on Amazon these days like everything else.

-- Chuck

[doc73]

First thing I start to do with a new unit is cover the seams with eternabond.

[Cb25 Joe]

My trailer was about 3 years old when it started leaking. I put eternabond on all the seams and it works great. I wish I had done it sooner. It was fairly easy, just make sure you clean it good before installing. 3 years later it still looks good.

[gaucho10]

I was going to start taping the edges of my RV with Eternabond, which I heard is a good idea. Then I started to do some research and found a new brand called "4EVASEAL". Their experimental results showed that it is supposed to be thicker and possibly stronger than "Eternabond". Of course it is "their" test results. Anybody use this product before and have something of interest to add?

[BrandonSmith]

Originally Posted by gaucho10

I was going to start taping the edges of my RV with Eternabond, which I heard is a good idea. Then I started to do some research and found a new brand called "4EVASEAL". Their experimental results showed that it is supposed to be thicker and possibly stronger than "Eternabond". Of course it is "their" test results. Anybody use this product before and have something of interest to add?

I would just go with the tried-and-true Eternabond. It already lasts forever.

[Electra glide]

My camper is 6 years old now. I plan to run eterna bond on the roof edge seams. The vents and skylight I will continue to use Dicor for now.

[yukongold]

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

I did it as well, but be aware that removal is difficult if not impossible. If you need to replace a skylight or other roof item, it will be tough.

Eternabond is not that hard to remove. Just takes a heat gun or hair dryer, a plastic scraper and some patience. I have had to replace several plastic caps on my 10 year old roof because of UV damage - they literally fell apart. Each time the job took about an hour to remove the Eternabond and cap, clean the area and install new cap and re-Eternabond. No big deal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl7edYJaCLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGiKusd5r8A

[rsdata]

I wrote these two articles some years ago

after 7-8 years I am still a happy camper

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...nce-90060.html


https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...oo-238605.html

[Electra glide]

I wonder if the magic eraser would do a good enough job cleaning in order to lay the eternabond down?

[Luke Moseley]

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

I did it as well, but be aware that removal is difficult if not impossible. If you need to replace a skylight or other roof item, it will be tough.

Try using a heat gun and plastic putty knife. It's a messy job but doable. The adhesive is gray and even using mineral spirits you'll probably never get it all off but you will get most of it. Then you can put on new eternabond.

[retiredintexas]

I am just starting this process on a 2017 Forester 3171 DS. I am going slow and it does look "industrial", but don't care. As sticky as this stuff is, I can see why it generally gets rave reviews.
Cheers

[jimmarako]

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

I did it as well, but be aware that removal is difficult if not impossible. If you need to replace a skylight or other roof item, it will be tough.

So far I've only done the front and back seams and around the ladder and black tank vent. I have max air covers so I think the vents will be OK for a while. I'm waiting until I one day replace the sky light which I assume will break before I do that seam. No point trying to remove it.

Jim M.

[CedarCreekWoody]

I taped my seams proactively. When I traded it in the dealer considered it as a negative as he said it looked like I was patching roof leaks. But I proactively placed it on my hew camper as well. I like the peace of mind.