Sealant hell
Hey guys. I am needing to reseal the outside of the travel trailer this summer and I’m having a heck of time. All that’s on there now is the original sealant from factory, but it’s hard a rock. My qu...
Forum Discussion
Have you tried an air chisel?
:B
Kidding if course, but some of that stuff seems to need one to get it off....:M
Not sure what you mean by "five or too budge"
I've been in the solarium and patio cover business for over 43 yewrs, so I've learned a thing or two about sealing stuff and removing old caulking.
Going over old sealant with new is the easy way, but the challenge with that is that your new sealing job is only as good as the surface under it. If the old caulking is failing and you put more on top, it will fail too. And it will be unsightly with large amounts showing.
The only accurate and effective way to do a proper job is to remove the old stuff first and get down to a clean surface.
Been there, done that. Lots of hard work. I use soft plastic scrapers to avoid damaging surfaces. It helps if the old sealant is very warm. A hair dryer carefully used can help. Just don't get things too hot.
Paint thinners can remove residual caulk, depending on what the old stuff is made of, but it leaves a residue, as it's petroleum based.
Acetone cleans all oil based residues off but it will damage painted surfaces if you work it too much. If you use it you absolutely must be very careful not to rub too much, or you will ruin the finish. A fairly wet rag with acetone and a quick wipe cleans. It evaporates fast.
:B
Kidding if course, but some of that stuff seems to need one to get it off....:M
Not sure what you mean by "five or too budge"
I've been in the solarium and patio cover business for over 43 yewrs, so I've learned a thing or two about sealing stuff and removing old caulking.
Going over old sealant with new is the easy way, but the challenge with that is that your new sealing job is only as good as the surface under it. If the old caulking is failing and you put more on top, it will fail too. And it will be unsightly with large amounts showing.
The only accurate and effective way to do a proper job is to remove the old stuff first and get down to a clean surface.
Been there, done that. Lots of hard work. I use soft plastic scrapers to avoid damaging surfaces. It helps if the old sealant is very warm. A hair dryer carefully used can help. Just don't get things too hot.
Paint thinners can remove residual caulk, depending on what the old stuff is made of, but it leaves a residue, as it's petroleum based.
Acetone cleans all oil based residues off but it will damage painted surfaces if you work it too much. If you use it you absolutely must be very careful not to rub too much, or you will ruin the finish. A fairly wet rag with acetone and a quick wipe cleans. It evaporates fast.
