Hello, if you have trim areas / caps such as the electric cord cap with screws holding it to fiberglass wall ( external) and they are coming out what is a good solution ? All I'm concerned with is the cap flying off and is there concern with water damaging the area where the cap sits. I noticed there has never been any silicone around that cap, but thinking maybe I can put some around it to help support that cap and prevent water from entering. Thoughts, ideas ? Thanks I'm new to campers. Bought this new 9//2015 Kz spree escape 17TH

Replace the screws with stainless steel screws. Silicone is great for appearances but terrible for keeping water out. Use something like Pro Flex Pro Flex RV Flexible Sealant to ensure a good seal water can't penetrate.

On my KZ, they had the hole too big and some screws didn't bite into anything. I would suggest that you remove the inlet and start over so that you know it is done right. Also, my wires were completely loose and could have started a fire in the wall, so check the set screws while it is apart.

Never, ever, use silicon on the exterior or your rv. It was never ment for exterior use. It will eventually crack and let water in. Nothing will adhere to it, not even more silicon.When attaching something to the exterior, and it has a flange, use butyl tape to seal it, and then use Dicor Caulk, self leveling for horizontal surfaces, and Dicor Non Sag for vertical surfaces. Just run a bead around the permiter of the flange and a dab over each screw head.Do it right once and you'll be good for years.Grumpy

x2 on putting silicone on your "never use" list. For holes where cables and pipes go thru, I fill them up with polyurethane foam sold as "Great stuff" ... it is really great in sealing, but can be messy, so use precaution and practice on your shed before RV. Than for final caulking use real roofers caulk or I like siding caulk from James Hardie that can be special order in colors from Home Depot. It has to be SO in 12-pack, but price was low last time I bought it.

Remove capApply WOOD PUTTY to screw's threads which is sold in every hardware storeScrew the screws back in, without the capLet dry overnight.Work the screw back and forth to release it from the Wood PuttyBack the screws outAssemble

External screws and silicone | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Walaby
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2016
There's plenty of marine grade silicone. If it's good for marine craft, seems like it should be okay for RV's.

What am I missing???

Mike
tommykelly
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016
Somebody forgot to tell Fleetwood not to use silicone around tail lights markers around outside molding...I questioned more than one r.v. service people...all said it was normal..I too had always thought using silicon was a no no....
Denny___Jami
Explorer
Apr 12, 2016
Camper1977 wrote:
Hello, if you have trim areas / caps such as the electric cord cap with screws holding it to fiberglass wall ( external) and they are coming out what is a good solution ?
All I'm concerned with is the cap flying off and is there concern with water damaging the area where the cap sits. I noticed there has never been any silicone around that cap, but thinking maybe I can put some around it to help support that cap and prevent water from entering. Thoughts, ideas ? Thanks I'm new to campers. Bought this new 9//2015
Kz spree escape 17TH

I looked at the way your trailer was constructed and my guess would be the screws are just in the siding backing plywood for your electrical cap. I would remove the cap and install plastic anchors that fit the screw. There are a lot of silicone sealants that work outside and hold up to the weather, I like Nova/Flex. Been using silicone on my trailers for years but they have to be high quality, if they say for marine use they will work.

Denny
jjrbus
Explorer
Apr 12, 2016
I'll third the no silicon, don't even walk by an Rv with it!

I am starting to use OSI Quad for caulking, same as Dicor non sag, costs less and is more available, Home Depot, Lowes. Check some online videos before attempting to caulk, can make a real mess if not careful! These are solvent based caulks that do not clean up with soap and water.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 11, 2016
Remove cap

Apply WOOD PUTTY to screw's threads which is sold in every hardware store

Screw the screws back in, without the cap

Let dry overnight.

Work the screw back and forth to release it from the Wood Putty

Back the screws out

Assemble
Kayteg1
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2016
x2 on putting silicone on your "never use" list.
For holes where cables and pipes go thru, I fill them up with polyurethane foam sold as "Great stuff" ... it is really great in sealing, but can be messy, so use precaution and practice on your shed before RV.
Than for final caulking use real roofers caulk or I like siding caulk from James Hardie that can be special order in colors from Home Depot. It has to be SO in 12-pack, but price was low last time I bought it.
Grumpy374
Explorer
Apr 11, 2016
Never, ever, use silicon on the exterior or your rv. It was never ment for exterior use. It will eventually crack and let water in. Nothing will adhere to it, not even more silicon.
When attaching something to the exterior, and it has a flange, use butyl tape to seal it, and then use Dicor Caulk, self leveling for horizontal surfaces, and Dicor Non Sag for vertical surfaces. Just run a bead around the permiter of the flange and a dab over each screw head.
Do it right once and you'll be good for years.
Grumpy
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 11, 2016
On my KZ, they had the hole too big and some screws didn't bite into anything. I would suggest that you remove the inlet and start over so that you know it is done right. Also, my wires were completely loose and could have started a fire in the wall, so check the set screws while it is apart.
DFord
Explorer
Apr 11, 2016
Replace the screws with stainless steel screws. Silicone is great for appearances but terrible for keeping water out. Use something like Pro Flex Pro Flex RV Flexible Sealant to ensure a good seal water can't penetrate.

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External screws and silicone

19 Replies

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