Is Dicor self leveling lap really the best?

[twalker50]

Why does everyone use the Dicor self leveling lap sealant? After only a year, the white sealant turns into this ugly almost yellowish-brown mess with cracks. The sealant that they used from the factory on my 2020 Flagstaff Micro lite is still white with no cracking. In fact, I can scrub the factory sealant when cleaning my roof and it comes clean. I want to use the same stuff that they used at the factory and its not Dicor. I think i'm going to try just white rubber caulk the next time because I think that is what the factory used. Has anyone tried using caulk?

 

[bikendan]

Moved thread from the General Community Discussion section to the Exterior Maintenance/Roofs/Sealing/Covers and Vents sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to that particular sub-forum and are not general community questions.

 

[NMWildcat]

Always used dicor self leveling caulk. Never had any of the problems you describe, and I live in the sunny SW!

 

[dalford]

Why does everyone use the Dicor self leveling lap sealant? After only a year, the white sealant turns into this ugly almost yellowish-brown mess with cracks. The sealant that they used from the factory on my 2020 Flagstaff Micro lite is still white with no cracking. In fact, I can scrub the factory sealant when cleaning my roof and it comes clean. I want to use the same stuff that they used at the factory and its not Dicor. I think i'm going to try just white rubber caulk the next time because I think that is what the factory used. Has anyone tried using caulk?

Ive been on this forum since 2013. First time I’ve ever heard this about Dicor? My first thought was what did you use or what happened?

Just use white rubber caulk? I’d say go for it…let us know how it holds up.

 

[5picker]

Maybe you have an Alpha roof and they used Alpha sealants on it and not Dicor.

I have never used Dicor on any of my Alpha roof membranes.

 

[ChrisParise]

Always used dicor self leveling caulk. Never had any of the problems you describe, and I live in the sunny SW!

X2

 

[DJ252]

Whatever the factory put on my roof, needed help in 1.5yrs.

No leaks but it shrank enough to see screw heads clearly and some seams too. It stayed pliable but turned a freckly grey, that Dawn and a soft brush, didn't really have any effect on. Nor did isopropyl.

I just gave away 2 tubes to my neighbor, since as soon as the winds calm down on Sat, I'll finish covering the last 2' of it, with Eterna Bond and won't need it anymore.

 

[ChrisParise]

Whatever the factory put on my roof, needed help in 1.5yrs.

No leaks but it shrank enough to see screw heads clearly and some seams too. It stayed pliable but turned a freckly grey, that Dawn and a soft brush, didn't really have any effect on. Nor did isopropyl.

I just gave away 2 tubes to my neighbor, since as soon as the winds calm down on Sat, I'll finish covering the last 2' of it, with Eterna Bond and won't need it anymore.

I have never seen Dicor self leveling lap sealant shrink. Maybe that's a new thing.

No matter what sealant is used, it must be applied in sufficient quantities to cover screws and seams.

I touched up my cousins roof sealant (dicor from factory) Grand Design tt, it was 2 years old at the time, a few years ago and some roof flashing around the vents were partially exposed. The rear roof seam lines were pencil thin and the front roof transition to the sidewalls had gaps especially around the end of the gutter.

I was horrified, not at the dicor product but at the lack of QC and workmanship on the roof dicor application

 

[Chuck_S]

I thought Dicor self leveling sealant was only suitable for horizontal surfaces and the only horizontal surface on my Roo is the roof which can't be seen from the ground. Dicor could have turned Barbie Pink for all I know.

-- Chuck

 

[Sunseeker16]

I thought Dicor self leveling sealant was only suitable for horizontal surfaces and the only horizontal surface on my Roo is the roof which can't be seen from the ground. Dicor could have turned Barbie Pink for all I know.

-- Chuck

I have used Dicor self leveling sealant on the vertical trim on the side of my motorhome. It worked ok. I wouldnt use it for thick beads on a vertical surface though. The last product I used was Geo Cell Pro Flex. It's kind of hard to work with. Short beads and smooth it quickly. No matter what product I have used I get a better looking job if I don't tape off the joint I'm working on.

 

[ChrisParise]

I thought Dicor self leveling sealant was only suitable for horizontal surfaces and the only horizontal surface on my Roo is the roof which can't be seen from the ground. Dicor could have turned Barbie Pink for all I know.

-- Chuck

You are correct Chuck! Ive never seen dicor self leveling turn any color. Like I said above maybe thats a new feature. They might call it Dove white on the tube but its a white

 

[ChrisParise]

I have used Dicor self leveling sealant on the vertical trim on the side of my motorhome. It worked ok. I wouldnt use it for thick beads on a vertical surface though. The last product I used was Geo Cell Pro Flex. It's kind of hard to work with. Short beads and smooth it quickly. No matter what product I have used I get a better looking job if I don't tape off the joint I'm working on.

Didn't it flow? Maybe not alot but that's inherent the product to self level.

Long time Geocel Rv Proflex customer. There's a trick to it as you suggest.
A quality I appreciate with it is removal. Wipe with mineral spirits, find an tail to pull on and it comes off in strings. Wipe again with mineral spirits for the rest.

I found with masking the tape must be removed right away.

 

[Sunseeker16]

Didn't it flow? Maybe not alot but that's inherent the product to self level.

Long time Geocel Rv Proflex customer. There's a trick to it as you suggest.
A quality I appreciate with it is removal. Wipe with mineral spirits, find an tail to pull on and it comes off in strings. Wipe again with mineral spirits for the rest.

I found with masking the tape must be removed right away.

If it was a large wide/deep bead it could flow. In my case the beads were very small and shallow so the Dicor skinnd over pretty quick. I get better results free handing caulking rather than using tape. When I pulled tape using Dicor or Geo Cell there were strings of wet sealant that stuck to the tape making an ugly joint. I did pull the tape very soon after applying sealant.

 

[ChrisParise]

If it was a large wide/deep bead it could flow. In my case the beads were very small and shallow so the Dicor skinnd over pretty quick. I get better results free handing caulking rather than using tape. When I pulled tape using Dicor or Geo Cell there were strings of wet sealant that stuck to the tape making an ugly joint. I did pull the tape very soon after applying sealant.

I've had mixed results with taping also. Except on my Class C cabover where it curves sharply I deal with any strings there.
Free hand overall is best

 

[Iwritecode]

I thought Dicor self leveling sealant was only suitable for horizontal surfaces and the only horizontal surface on my Roo is the roof which can't be seen from the ground. Dicor could have turned Barbie Pink for all I know.

-- Chuck

You're still supposed to get up there and check it every 6 months or so...

 

[D W]

I thought Dicor self leveling sealant was only suitable for horizontal surfaces and the only horizontal surface on my Roo is the roof which can't be seen from the ground. Dicor could have turned Barbie Pink for all I know.

-- Chuck

If you get up on the roof and look at it, it actually turns gray after a while.