
Resealing a camper is an important maintenance task that should not be overlooked. Water leaks can lead to several problems, including delamination, mould, dry rot, and frame failure. To prevent this, it is crucial to seal your camper in every spot that water could potentially enter. This includes the roof, seams, windows, doors, flanges, and corners. The type of sealant you use is also important; silicone, for example, is not recommended as it struggles to stick to previously used silicone and can peel off. Instead, opt for sealants designed for RVs, such as self-levelling lap sealants for the roof and non-self-levelling sealants for the sides. Regularly inspecting and resealing your camper, especially before the rainy season, is key to preventing water damage and extending the life of your vehicle.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How often to reseal a camper | It is recommended to reseal your camper every year before the rainy season starts. However, some sources suggest resealing every 7-10 years. |
When to do a seal inspection | It is recommended to inspect your camper's seals every 3-4 months, as well as at the beginning and end of each camping season. |
What to use to reseal a camper | It is recommended to use sealants specifically designed for RVs, such as self-leveling lap sealant from brands like Dicor for the roof and non-self-leveling sealant for the sides. Avoid using silicone sealants. |
Tools needed to reseal a camper | Non-marring plastic scrapers, flexible narrow putty knife, self-leveling sealant caulk, telescoping ladder with a stabilizer bar, and mineral spirits (paint thinner). |
Process of resealing a camper | Inspect for cracks and gaps in the seals, remove old sealant, clean the area with acetone, tape off the seam, apply new sealant with a caulking gun, smooth the bead of sealant, remove the tape, and let the sealant cure for 24 hours. |
What You'll Learn
Inspecting for cracks and peeling sealant
Frequency of Inspections:
It is recommended to inspect your camper's seals at least twice a year, and more often if possible. Ideally, you should do a thorough inspection from front to rear and top to bottom. Additionally, it is advised to inspect your roof more frequently, with a minimum recommendation of once every three months. Remember, water is an RV's worst enemy, and regular inspections can help you catch issues early on.
What to Look For:
When inspecting your camper's seals, there are several signs of damage to watch out for:
- Seal voids
- Cracks
- Shrinkage or deterioration due to age and sun exposure
- Gaps or separations
- Dry, hard, or brittle sealant
- Air pockets under the sealant
Testing the Sealant:
To determine if the sealant is in good condition, you can perform a simple test:
- Push a blunt pencil end into the sealant. Good sealant will be pliable and soft, while bad sealant will be dry, hard, and brittle.
- With your fingers, push on the sealant and check for air pockets or movement. Good sealant will be tightly adhered to the camper with no air pockets, and it should not move.
Marking Problem Areas:
As you inspect the seals, mark any areas of concern with a small piece of tape. This will help you keep track of problem spots and ensure you don't miss anything when repairing the seals. Pay close attention to areas around protruding items, such as vents, lights, and exterior showers, as these often need re-caulking.
Cleaning the Seals:
Before inspecting and repairing the seals, it is important to clean them thoroughly. Use acetone or a similar solvent to clean the seals and remove any dirt, residue, or old sealant. Be cautious when using acetone around metal surfaces, as it can remove the finish. A clean seal will help you better assess its condition and determine if it needs repair or replacement.
Repairing or Replacing Seals:
Once you have identified the problem areas, carefully remove the old sealant. You can use a heat gun to soften it and then scrape it out with a plastic pick or screwdriver. Be gentle to avoid scratching the camper's exterior. After removing the old sealant, clean the area again to ensure a clear base for the new sealant to adhere to.
Finally, apply a new bead of sealant using a caulk gun. Smooth the bead with your finger or a caulk tool. Allow the sealant to cure for at least 24 hours. By following these steps, you can effectively inspect for cracks and peeling sealant, ensuring your camper remains well-sealed and protected from water damage.
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Removing old caulk and sealant
Assess the Condition of the Caulk and Sealant:
Start by inspecting the caulking and sealant around your camper's seams, corners, and joints. Look for any signs of cracking, peeling, or gaps. If the sealant is severely cracked or weathered, it's best to remove it completely before applying a new layer.
Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials:
You'll need a few tools to effectively remove the old caulk and sealant. These include a heat gun, plastic pick or screwdriver, denatured alcohol or acetone, rags, and a knife or plastic putty knife. A heat gun will help soften the old sealant, making it easier to remove. The plastic pick or screwdriver will be used for scraping, so be sure to use it carefully to avoid scratching the exterior paint. Denatured alcohol or acetone will help clean any residue, and rags will be useful for wiping away dirt and excess sealant.
Soften the Old Sealant:
Using the heat gun, apply heat to the old sealant until it becomes soft. This will make it easier to remove. Be careful not to overheat the sealant or the surrounding materials, as this can cause damage.
Scrape Away the Old Sealant:
Once the sealant is softened, use your plastic pick or screwdriver to carefully scrape it away. Work slowly and try to remove as much of the old sealant as possible. Be cautious not to scratch or damage the exterior paint or surfaces of your camper. If you're dealing with a large area of sealant, you may want to consider using a powered blade tool, such as an oscillating tool with a flat putty blade. This will make the job faster and more efficient.
Clean the Area:
After removing the majority of the old sealant, it's important to clean the area thoroughly. Use denatured alcohol or acetone and a rag to wipe away any remaining residue, oils, dust, or debris. This step is crucial, as it ensures a clean base for the new sealant to adhere properly.
Prepare for the New Sealant Application:
Before applying new sealant, tape off both sides of the seam to create a clean edge. This will help you achieve a neat and professional finish.
By following these steps, you'll be able to effectively remove old caulk and sealant from your camper, preparing it for a fresh layer of protection. Remember to work carefully and take your time to avoid any damage to your camper's exterior.
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Cleaning and prepping
Before you start resealing your camper, it's important to thoroughly clean and prep the areas you wish to reseal. These should include around any rooftop accessories (skylights, vents, etc.) and the edge where the roof meets the camper walls. You can do this cleaning with a damp washcloth, but for really dirty areas, you may need to use a gentle cleaning product. Just make sure it's free of citrus, petroleum distillates, and mineral spirits. While you're cleaning, look for any caulking that has started to crumble or come away from the roof and peel it up. The only caulking left should be securely stuck to the roof.
If your camper is especially dirty, you may want to wash and wax it before starting this project. This will give you a good starting point for working on the seals and keep you from getting as grimy when you're working.
Gather all your supplies before you start. You don't want to be up on a step ladder adding caulk, only to realize you need a paper towel to wipe your hands on.
Removing Old Sealant
If there are cracks or brittleness in your old sealant and you don’t remove it, the new sealant may just crack off too, or it might not adhere properly. So spend the necessary time removing what you can. A heat gun can be used to heat the old sealant until it's soft, then scrape it out with a plastic pick or regular screwdriver. Be careful not to scratch your camper's exterior paint.
When there are areas of smooth sealant, you don't have to scrape it off. You can simply clean it and then reseal over it. Use a non-marring plastic scraper to scrape bad sealant off of plastic or any painted surfaces. A flexible metal putty knife can be used to carefully slice through the bond of sealant and roofing material. Be very careful not to dig into any camper material when using the metal scraper.
Where there are big globs of caulk that have turned gross and dusty, simply scrape them off. Scrape at a flat to 45-degree angle so that you don't gouge into the caulk. You don't want to remove all of it behind the window or trim piece, just the gunky part on the outside.
After scraping and cleaning, clean the area with acetone to make sure all residue, oils, dust, and debris are removed. Before applying new sealant, you want to have a clear base for the product to adhere to.
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Applying new sealant
After you've cleaned the surface with acetone, you can start applying a new bead of sealant to the seams of your RV. It is recommended to use Pro Flex RV sealant with a normal caulking gun.
Before you start, cut the tip off the sealant's application tube very close to the tip, so you can lay a thin bead of sealant. You can always cut more away if you need a thicker bead of sealant. Use the thin rod that comes with your caulking gun to puncture the tube's seal by sliding it down the application tube.
Hold the caulking gun so the application tube is perpendicular to the seam to be sealed. The application tube of the caulk should be directed 90 degrees to the seam. This allows the sealant to be pushed down and in front of the caulk application tube, filling any gaps with sealant.
Squeeze the trigger to push sealant out of the tube to fill the application tube and then exit the tip. While holding the tube in place against the seam, squeeze the trigger, pushing sealant out of the tip down into the seam while slowly sliding the caulk application tube along the seam.
Finishing the Sealant Bead
Use folded paper towels soaked in mineral spirits (paint thinner) and wrap them around your finger, creating a rounded surface. Slowly slide this along the bead of sealant to smooth it into the seam. Make sure to wear multiple layers of exam gloves to protect your skin.
Go slowly and carefully, not pushing down on the seam too hard, allowing for a good bead to remain on the seam. Using mineral spirits can smooth sealant even after it has been left to dry for 15 minutes or so.
Clean any sealant you wish to remove from any surface with paper towels soaked in mineral spirits quickly.
Tips for Applying New Sealant
- Tape off both sides of the seam with Frogtape Painter's Tape to achieve a clean edge.
- Remove the painter's tape as soon as you finish applying and smoothing the bead of sealant.
- Let the sealant cure for 24 hours.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from sticky sealant.
- Have rags or wipes handy to clean up any messes.
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Finishing the sealant bead
Now that you have applied the sealant, you can finish the bead. This is a crucial step in the resealing process, as it ensures a neat and effective seal.
Firstly, you will need to smooth the bead of sealant. You can do this with your finger, dipping it in a bowl of soapy water first if you wish, or with a caulking tool. This will give you a smooth finish. You can also use folded paper towels soaked in mineral spirits (paint thinner) and wrapped around your finger to smooth the bead. This creates a rounded surface that can glide along the sealant. Make sure to wear gloves to protect your skin.
Next, you will need to remove the painter's tape. This should be done immediately after applying and smoothing the bead of sealant. If you leave the tape on for too long, it will become difficult to remove.
Finally, you will need to let the sealant cure. This typically takes around 24 hours. During this time, avoid touching or disturbing the sealant.
By following these steps, you will achieve a neat and effective seal that will protect your RV from water damage.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to reseal your camper every year before the rainy season starts. However, some sources suggest resealing every 7-10 years.
Avoid using silicone sealants. Instead, opt for sealants designed specifically for RVs, such as self-leveling lap sealant for the roof and non-self-leveling sealant for the sides.
Inspect your camper at the beginning and end of each season, paying special attention to areas around windows, slide-outs, corner joints, and any appliances or internal compartments. Look for any cracks or gaps in the sealant, and remove any debris or old sealant.