Caulking for reinstallation of window frame on 5er

Pirate wrote:
Here is another great tip. Get some foil tape and tape over the window opening from one side to the other. This will make any water intrusion roll away from the opening and to the outer walls instead of running down in between the wall sides.

That is a FANTASTIC idea and a great way to be 100% sure that any leaks won't get inside the walls as long as the screws don't penetrate the actual walls of the trailer which a lot of the newer ones don't.

Larry

ksg5000 wrote:
Butyl tape - available at any RV parts house. YouTube has nice vid of how to recaulk rv windows.

Agree and just make sure it's actually Butyl tape since they also sell non Butyl "putty" tape which will dry out and crack and not seal near as well as real Butyl tape.

I think the "Kool Patch" brand tape is about the best for flexibility and "stickyness".



You can get it in either black or white

Larry

Here is another great tip. Get some foil tape and tape over the window opening from one side to the other. This will make any water intrusion roll away from the opening and to the outer walls instead of running down in between the wall sides.

Another tip. When reinstalling the window, secure the corners first, lower left, upper right, lower right, upper left for example before installing the rest of the screws. This will insure the window is seated evenly all the way around because it is possible to "pull it in" a little off square and because one side is "pinched" you may not be able to pull the other side in correctly. I learned that lesson the hard way, a friendly glass technician advised me of this technique which I had to resort to in order to seat the window properly.

Any glass shop should be able to supply the black butyl tape you may need.

It seems many call any type of paper backed tape a butyl tape. I found the best type is a black rubber type butyl tape that is also paper backed. I would not use any type of caulk type butyl tape which is typically white.

eHoefler wrote:
It is putty tape. You stick it to the window mounting flange, then install the window tightening the screws evenly until all are snug. Then trim of the excess that has squished out, can be quite a bit depending on the smoothness of the outer skin of the trailer. Then run a bead of caulk all the way around the window.

Wow that's a new one on me.

Thank you for all the help. The video was great. I will check the local Home Depot to see if I can get the butyl tape there along with some caulking.

Thanks again.

Here ya go:

Video

I like "tacky tape" http://www.kasonind.com/files/2912/4576/9157/7513-tacky-tape.png

Tacky tape, the real stuff actually has the name written inside cardboard tube of tape (see pic in link) I put tape on double thick. I like to trim with plastic putty knife. Then give it couple months, because more tape gets mashed out and tighten screws again if loose and trim again. Then give it a couple months to see if any more putty tape gets mashed out. Then I put on a very thin layer of silicon on top and sides of window just as umbrella for tape. Very thin layer. Be careful with what you clean up old putty tape with (on window frame) I used Coleman fluid, worked really good getting of bits of old tape but also I think it ate the window putty on glass was set in and had to re-do glass seal. When you take out window you might see some plastic or wood spacers. They are for centering window in window frame of RV, Some have spacers and some don't. Before you take out window write down all the little tiny numbers and manufacture just in case you break window. Be on look out for any screws longer then others, if any odd sized make sure to put back into same hole. Don't forget spacers when you put back in. And put any odd ball size screws back into same hole it came out of. If yours has foam tape seal or anything fancy disregard as I have no experience with those. If your window frame has little tiny gap where alum frame comes together (on outside) I covered it up with caulk and got a black felt tip to match color of frame. Clean up of old tape will depend on how old. I was able to do 6 windows in one day on old 5th wheel. And only one window when I had to take back out and was working with newer putty tape. Before I put back in I also turned window upside down and put in bath tub to test for any other water leaks. The vinyl or rubber trim or "ribbon" that covers up looking at inside of window from outside, I picked up new for $2 buck a foot. Most trim shrinks from being exposed to weather.
99% of leaks are the window frame to cut out on rv IMO. When your done should be OK for 10 years or more. Clean your new Lexan with nothing that will show even the littlest scratche. After 3 years every little tiny scratch will show up, so be careful. But stronger then regular glass IMO.

Yup, butyl tape. Have used it with one window and a stove fan cover replacement. RV stores have it.