Dicor question.. I'm not sure, need help

SoundGuy wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Per Dicor (self-leveling & non-sag lap sealant)

Compatible with EPDM and TPO sheeting, it adheres firmly to aluminum, mortar, wood, vinyl, galvanized metal, fiberglass and concrete.

I've never used any 'primer'....just clean surface free of any old loose caulking

Unfortunately, not quite true. I'm surprised Old-Biscuit wouldn't know this but Dicor did a few years ago issue this warning about using their conventional lap sealants on the new generation of TPO roofing material that was beginning to show up on the market as the result of patent expiry on the original formulation. Complaints were being received that conventional Dicor, when used on this new generation of TPO, would bubble so to address that issue the company introduced a new 2 part system called Ultra Sealant and that's the product the OP is using. I'd suggest he contact Dicor for the correct answers to his query, not rely on ill informed WAGs here on the forum. :R

FWIW, our previous 2008 KZ Spree which we purchased in the spring of 2007 had a TPO roof and because it had the original version of TPO roof sheeting I used conventional Dicor self leveling lap sealant on it with great results, no issues at all. :B However, that was then and this is now so anyone who owns a trailer with TPO sheeting needs to know just which version is on their trailer and as such use the correct lap sealant designed for use with that particular version. Unfortunately the OP hasn't provided any info about his own trailer but from his description his dealer presumably identified it as the type of TPO requiring the use of Dicor's 2 part Ultra Sealant system.

I was surprised to find out I have a TPO roof. Never enter my mind that there was different types. I was picking up some "dicor" for sealing around new fantastic fan I was putting in kitchen. Went to my RV place and asked for a tube to seal vent and they asked what type of roof. I never knew and researched from there. I confirmed roof type with manufacture and prior to that I followed the chart on page 10 of Dicors info. If you follow the chart there is actually a TPO that has fleece backing. That contradicts several youtube vids that go by color or backing alone.http://www.dicorproducts.com/resources/guide/RudysRoofbook_16.pdf

LarryJM wrote:

coolmom42 wrote:
You should also take off that trim strip and caulk over the screw heads that hold the gutter on. The screw heads are a common point for water intrusion.

Excellent point every external screw is a prime candidate to wick and cause horrendous damage unseen for months or years. I'm a firm believer that caulk of anykind except for the 3M 4000/5000 Marine adhesives/sealants should only be used as a second line of water defense. Exterior lights and their mounting screws and wire penetrations are another great source for water damage. I have developed what I think are fool proof guaranteed methods to take care of these potential issues using a combination of Eternabond double sided and Roof Seal tapes. See the link in my signature for details.

Larry

Yes, agree on some form of sealant between siding and metal strip is needed. I'm going to use http://manus.net/products/butyl/64-a-premium/ Found out about this stuff years ago. I was in auto body supply store and a body shop was getting some and told me all the uses they use it for. I picked some up, 50 cent a foot I think. Really great stuff as far as making a superior water tight seal. So much better than the putty tape RV places use. Not so much great stuff if you ever have to remove it. Lots of time to remove as it sticks so good. Put some in my gutter at home as a test maybe 5 yrs ago, still looks new.

Outside of screws, Dicor swabbed on with Que-tip. Wish I had a better way on outside of screws. But haven't found anything (YET) that I can apply and be able to put insert cover back on and when it dry's is still flexible.

westend wrote:
Why not go to another brand like Geocel. I believe some of their 23** series sealants will meet your requirements.

Thanks for posting up the E mail response. Might save another fellow some aggravation.

"Why not go to another brand like Geocel". Couple reasons... years ago I had some Geocel crack on me. And it was a big pain to remove. Maybe they have changed or maybe I got a bad bunch? Don't know but won't be using it again.

wborst wrote:
You responded to Dicor that you had "non-leveling, non-sag sealant. Then you say you want to try the self-leveling sealant. Why not use the non-sag, non-leveling sealant?

Yes, I have both types on hand. There is a difference of Dicor now days. The TPO roof material requires Dicors "Ultra Sealant" and that only available in "self-leveling". The liquid you brush on before the stuff in the tube works sort of like flux when soldering IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZJjWdTnduQ

P.S. If I ever have to get another roof for RV, it will not be TPO. And will not be the cheapest a RV assembler can put on. Will probably be http://duro-last.com/duro-last_roofing_system

You responded to Dicor that you had "non-leveling, non-sag sealant. Then you say you want to try the self-leveling sealant. Why not use the non-sag, non-leveling sealant?

Why not go to another brand like Geocel. I believe some of their 23** series sealants will meet your requirements.

Thanks for posting up the E mail response. Might save another fellow some aggravation.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Any response to your e-mail from Dicor?

Yes, late today.

(My message to Dicor) Please see below link. I'm trying to the right sealant. Was wondering who ever users name is "Dicor" will answer. Some confusion on what to use.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28590113.cfm

(From Dicor)

What year is your unit? When you mentioned having a
“primer”, is it Dicor’s Ultra Sealant Primer? Do you have the Dicor Ultra Sealant Self Leveling Lap Sealant also?

(From me)
Unit is 2013 Arctic Fox. Manufacture has confirmed by VIN number that roof is TPO. I have on hand (bought last month, so not old)
Part 1 ultra sealant primer
Part 2 ultra sealant
Lap sealant (non-leveling, non-sag)

Thanks


(From Dicor)

The Ultra Sealant Primer and Ultra Sealant will work just fine.

(end of e-mail)




While I appreciate Dicor responding, I'm still not sure if the "self leveling" will drop down over the side or not. Maybe they didn't look at my pic in the posting to see that their "self leveling" stuff is going on a vertical surface?

Long story short...Dicor didn't answer the question.

Here is my plan to figure it out. I've called couple RV places that knows me and they said they will save some old chunks of TPO when they do a re-roof. I'll do my own experiment of just how far it "self levels". I'll staple some old TPO to a piece of plywood, tilt it vertical and see for my self just how much it "self levels".

Have to start going south (your way) in about a month. If you see some guy in a campground with TPO stapled to a piece of plywood and dicor drooling down it, stop and say HI.

Any response to your e-mail from Dicor?

Op here...

I e-mailed Dicor. I provided the link to this message. I hope they answer soon.

go to their website and you can contact them directly from there. I did earlier this year.