Re-sealing windows...

Thanks everyone - good input. Honestly, I've never heard or read about tightening the screws on the windows! I will do that and then follow up by removing the excess tape and sealing if necessary.

Proflex RV (Ace Hardware) sealant or Quad OSI (Home Depot or Lowe's) accross the top and down each side.

what I did was scrape the butyl tape off the siding, clean it with solvent followed by alcohol, then ran a bead of sealant around the frame. that way you still have the butyl sealing and added protection from sealant on the frame and siding. Use your favorite sealant. some say proflex? some say silicone, some say 3M marine sealant. If you use silicone don't use the hardware silcone, use the stuff designed for exterior use on fiberglass.

Nobody has mentioned that going around your windows once a year with a screwdriver and hand tightening the screws will help prevent leaks until the inevitable resealing after 10 years or so. After 10 years the butyl tape starts getting too hard to seal and should be replaced. Keeping on top of window seals will go a long way preserving your RV.

Why not put a bead of Dicor non-sag sealant around it?

good way of doing it according to Donno128. that is how we did it at the shop. it is a two man job, it makes it go a much easier.

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

goducks10 wrote:
Mine seeps out the butyl tape stuff every year. Anywhere it is it will ooze out a little. I just get an old credit card or plastic putty knife and scrape it away.
Is that what you have, just some stuff oozing out?

Yes - the butyl is coming out from between the window frame and the exterior wall. It is pretty dry (probably from sun exposure once it is no longer behind the window frame). I guess my concern is that I'm not sure how much 'reserve' there is. If the tape is coming out, how do I know if there is enough still in their to properly prevent water intrusion?

In truth, I've only had about 1/8 to 3/16 worth of tape come out. in most cases.

Mine seeps out the butyl tape stuff every year. Anywhere it is it will ooze out a little. I just get an old credit card or plastic putty knife and scrape it away.
Is that what you have, just some stuff oozing out?

How old is your rig? Typical caulk should be good for 10+ years. If you decide to do it its pretty simple, but a friend sure makes things easier. Remove the cinch ring inside, push window out. It may take a putty knife to help break the seal. Cleal everything thoroughly, apply a new bead of butyl putty tape, set window back in, holding in place while helper reattaches the cinch ring. Follow the next day by scraping off the excess putty and apply a bead of dicor around three sides.