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BackBurner's avatar
BackBurner
Explorer
May 19, 2013

Silicon sealant.. on roof

We got our first RV last year, a '86 Tioga. Before winter, we got some nasty leaks so we just wrapped it up, and didn't get a chance to fix it until now.

I've taken down the tarp, and in a hurry to get the cracks on the roof sealed before the unexpected T-Storms that are coming tomorrow, we applied some fast-drying silicon sealant to the old, cracked sealant all around the roof. Now that I'm reading all about it *after* the fact, I'm realizing that might've been a mistake.

I'm thinking I'll have to somehow get it off of there and use a more appropriate product. Any recommendations as to what to use to get the silicone off? Since it's going to rain soon, I'm thinking it'll be fine to leave it on for the time being, and deal with it after the rain's gone... am I correct in my assumption?
  • It can work, but let me give you some advice. It's very hard to get everything sealed just right. Fork over a few more bucks and get some edpm roofing stuff. Paint it on, and that seals everything.
  • If or when you get the old and the new off. would get as much as possible. Then use EternaBond tape as much as you can. It will last just about for ever. Much better way to go and it won't cost much more.
  • The biggest problem with silicon sealants is nothing will ever stick to them - even more silicon sealant. Therefore, the the original application of silicon sealant fails, there is not much you can do to fix it. If you put the silicon over some old Dicor sealant, you will probably be OK for a while, but you need to go back and get all the old sealant as well as the new silicon sealant completely off before re-applying a new coat of Dicor, EternaBond, or other proper sealant. They do sell silicon sealant removers, but I can't vouch for how well they work ....

    Silicon Removal