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Old 04-16-2019, 04:05 PM   #1
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What's the big deal on not using silicone?

I've seen several posts over the last year with some going into shock at the suggestion of using silicone as a sealer on an RV. I'll be attaching some stuff to the exterior aluminum walls (starting with some door magnets) and won't risk leaks through the screw holes. I have a lot of carpentry experience and use silicone all the time on homes.
I suspect it may be rubber roof related. Or fiberglass?
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Old 04-16-2019, 04:29 PM   #2
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IMO I think there are two basic reasons to avoid RTV on an RV. 1. rubber roof products incompatible. 2. nothing else will stick to it when cured.

My RV(metal sided) has RTV all over the outside of it... I sticks well to metal and whatever... not plastic vents and the like.
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Old 04-16-2019, 04:29 PM   #3
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I've seen several posts over the last year with some going into shock at the suggestion of using silicone as a sealer on an RV. I'll be attaching some stuff to the exterior aluminum walls (starting with some door magnets) and won't risk leaks through the screw holes. I have a lot of carpentry experience and use silicone all the time on homes.
I suspect it may be rubber roof related. Or fiberglass?
Well.....for starters, if/when IT needs repair, nothing will stick to it, not even fresh silicone.....(so I've been told)
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Old 04-16-2019, 04:43 PM   #4
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So it can't be scraped off? BTW, just mounted a kick ass outdoor speaker in place of original horrible speaker using screws and 3M marine adhesive. That thing ain't going NOWHERE! Or leaking.
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Old 04-16-2019, 05:00 PM   #5
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So it can't be scraped off?
Yes it can, but it's a PITA.
Next time try Lexel. It will stick to itself even after it's cured.
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Old 04-16-2019, 05:04 PM   #6
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I wouldn't use it on a rubber roof, there use Dicor, but on the rest you can use it, the reason people don't even through I do is because you can't make anything stick to it after you apply it, you would have to remove the old first, that's the only reason, the factory gave me 2 clear tubes of it they used it on mine.
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Old 04-16-2019, 09:20 PM   #7
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Next time try Lexel. It will stick to itself even after it's cured.

X2.


I replaced my outdoor speakers and installed/sealed them in with Lexel.


First time using it on an RV, but where I've used it before, it is superior. Good stuff!
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Old 04-16-2019, 09:28 PM   #8
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Yes it can, but it's a PITA.
Next time try Lexel. It will stick to itself even after it's cured.
X3.
Lexel is great stuff.
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Old 04-17-2019, 05:29 AM   #9
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For me, the biggest reason not to use silicone on my RV is it will make hardware rust.
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Old 04-17-2019, 11:20 AM   #10
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Check out this guys YouTube channel. He will give multiple examples as to why silicone isn’t a good idea on a vehicle that shakes violently. It’s called RVroof repair.com. I am not trying to advertise for him but’s was mesmerized and horrified watching the slew of repairs that he made. It’s highly educational.
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Old 04-17-2019, 12:41 PM   #11
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Learned about avoiding silicon in ocean cruising. It is going to fail eventually like any sealant...the problem is that it leaves a residue that no other sealant including new silicone will stick to. Acetone will NOT remove residue. You must mechanically REMOVE part of the underlying fiberglass or other material in order to properly prepare for a new repair to old silicone.
Stick with the recommended roofing sealants like Dicor for your particular roof. If you need to seal a hole like for a screw & nut etc. use high quality butyl rubber tape as it stays flexible and waterproof ...and bevel your holes before applying.
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Old 04-17-2019, 01:40 PM   #12
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a lot of silicone haters

the dow corning silicone that smells of vinegar will last and stay flexible for 20 years. what everybody is saying about nothing sticking to it is true. not even paint, but it is the best sealant I've ever seen. it works as a great adhesive also. I have to admit I didn't know about it causing corrosion before. I've seen it stick to diesel dirt, the ultimate test if you ask me. good luck with your repair.
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Old 04-17-2019, 01:52 PM   #13
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I use it on tubs and showers, that's about it. Too many other things that work way better, are easier to apply and remove cleanly. Geocel Proseal, butyl tape to name a couple
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Old 04-18-2019, 08:35 AM   #14
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It will work generally for a first installation, but nothing sticks to it after that. The one thing I have found with both the clear, and the white is that the one thing that does stick to it is dirt. Any of it that shows will hold dirt and will eventually look bad. I would never use it in a rubber roof situation. The products available for a rubber roof are cheap and easy to come by, and work for that application. With aluminum siding may be your only choice, but definitely research all of your options before you use it.
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Old 04-18-2019, 08:55 AM   #15
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To remove silicone caulk residue, you can use mineral spirits, denatured alcohol or methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). I generally use MEK because I always have that on my truck in the form of clear PVC cleaner/primer.

One of the worst uses of silicone caulk I run across is where people have used it in their bathtubs or showers. It is completely unnecessary for this purpose because it is impossible to touch-up and very tedious and time-consuming work to remove it and re-caulk with the appropriate acrylic latex caulk which is easy to work with and remove when necessary. There’s a reason it is often referred to as “Tub & Tile Caulk”.

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Old 04-18-2019, 09:52 AM   #16
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Ask any auto body painter about silicon.
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Old 04-18-2019, 10:40 AM   #17
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Ask any auto body painter about silicon.

I was waiting for someone to bring that up. I worked in a body shop in high school sanding cars/boats. Owner was Dad's friend. He cautioned me about using certain car waxes/"restorers" that had silicone in them, said you can never get the residue off the paint, even sanding doesn't remove it, you have to strip the paint. Otherwise you're going to get fish eyes in the finished paint.
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Old 04-18-2019, 11:30 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by camaraderie View Post
Learned about avoiding silicon in ocean cruising. It is going to fail eventually like any sealant...the problem is that it leaves a residue that no other sealant including new silicone will stick to. Acetone will NOT remove residue. You must mechanically REMOVE part of the underlying fiberglass or other material in order to properly prepare for a new repair to old silicone.
Stick with the recommended roofing sealants like Dicor for your particular roof. If you need to seal a hole like for a screw & nut etc. use high quality butyl rubber tape as it stays flexible and waterproof ...and bevel your holes before applying.
X2, I hate silicone
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Old 04-19-2019, 08:52 AM   #19
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X2.


I replaced my outdoor speakers and installed/sealed them in with Lexel.


First time using it on an RV, but where I've used it before, it is superior. Good stuff!
never heard of it. is it like dicor?
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Old 04-25-2019, 06:32 PM   #20
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It was recommended that I treat the rubber seals on the slideout with silicone spray every 6 months. Will any over-spray cause problems on the siding?
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