Forum Discussion

EMD360's avatar
EMD360
Explorer
May 24, 2021

Cleaning up our old RV

I’ve been working on the old RV the last several days. I knew I wanted to replace some eternabond on the rear corners and across the back trim. I replaced some missing vinyl trim on the front seams and re-caulked. I’m terrible with caulk. Messy and uneven but better to have new caulk than not. Also caulked between the old and new vinyl trim.

Underneath is especially hard to caulk. I did a little better above.

I have a day night shade to restring and I have general clean up to do. I de-winterized it and I stain treated the carpet and I’m going to shampoo it. I’m debating whether to wax it. The decals are in bad shape and it’s clean. Seems like wax would be putting lipstick on a pig.
Class C
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    May 24, 2021
    The secret to a good caulk job is blue painter's tape on both sides of what you are caulking.

    Run a bead, smooth with your finger or tool. Immediately pull tape and again smooth.

    Some caulk products are much easier to work with than others. Though silicone products are not my favorite, the smooth very well with a wet finger.

    Practice on a piece of scrap or even cardboard.
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    May 24, 2021
    I’m using non-sag dicor. That is what I usually use. I tried Sikaflex but found it even harder to work with. I should use painters tape since I’m such a slob. Good idea.
    It is not soap and water cleanup which is the easiest caulk but I’ve not seen one recommended for RV’s.
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    May 24, 2021
    I found that the kitchen sink sprayer was cracked for the third time when dewinterizibg. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I run the fluid through it. I have to pick up a new one. At least it appears to only be the spray part and not the hose. Although I’m confused that when I took off the sprayer the entire faucet stopped working. I don’t see it leaking anywhere. Another quirky problem.
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    May 24, 2021
    Howdy fellow RV’er! Any luck getting camping sites? Ha ha. Do it early. Just got one for a weekend in late Sept. Moraine and Aspen Glen are full!
  • gkainz's avatar
    gkainz
    Explorer
    May 25, 2021
    We tried to get Grand Lake for July 4th weekend and struck out just 12 hours into the reservation slot, so we're boon-docking at a friend's cabin near Leadville.

    We normally camp every other weekend all summer from May through October but this year we definitely missed the boat for reservations.

    We did get Sylvan Lake for end of September.
  • jjrbus's avatar
    jjrbus
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    A decent caulk gun makes a big difference. Most go to Home Depot or such and spend $4 on a ratcheting caulk gun. Unless you are incredibly gifted it is **** near impossible to do a decent job as they cannot provide a steady flow. A $20 smooth rod caulk gun makes a BIG difference. Google caulking tips before you try again.
  • capacitor's avatar
    capacitor
    Explorer
    May 26, 2021
    If you use caulking, use a product called Big Stretch. It stays flexible and won't crack. It is pricey at 8-9 bucks a tube but well worth it. It is water based so it is easy to work with and with the above mentioned painters tape does a nice, clean job. Comes in white, almond, grey, and brown.

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