Sikaflex 221 for side mounted fridge vent?

The sika worked for attaching the bezel a little more strongly so when I pull out the side fridge vent I don't strain the bezel so much. Would have used procell, but amazon is charging double from rv parts stores! And I wanted to plug this leak fast. Local place had sika in stock. Apparently the Lexel product is good too.

Here you go

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=geocel+28100&crid=2NZ7SS6J3CN0&sprefix=geocel+28100+%2Caps%2C58&ref=nb_sb_noss

towpro wrote:
Geocel Flex RV would be my first choice.

X2

Buddy's new Grand Design is slathered all over with silicone. It has two leaks but not sure either is attributable to the silicone or just lousy workmanship (probably the latter).

Fulltimers wrote:
My RV manufacturer used pure silicone on all joints 19 years ago and it has never failed. I have resealed items I have replaced with 100% silicone and have never had a problem. I do the painters tape deal and it looks perfect.

You should be playing the lottery with that luck.

My experience is different than yours. My 14 year old camper was sealed with silicone, effectively 100% of that sealant has failed. I have owned 5 largish RVs (3 Bigfeet, one Airstream, one Safari), all had at least some silicone used, with nearly complete failure. In the yachting industry silicone is rarely used to seal any deck fittings, and only on the cheapest of products. 3M and Sika are perhaps the most used sealant brands, both make silicone and polyurethane sealants, and both recommend polyurethane for this use. For critical applications (like boat underwater fittings) both specifically recommend NOT using silicone.

Geocel Flex RV would be my first choice.

Thanks Fulltimers, most of my silicone sreals are fine, it's some mechanical stresses that I think did in a few others.

My RV manufacturer used pure silicone on all joints 19 years ago and it has never failed. I have resealed items I have replaced with 100% silicone and have never had a problem. I do the painters tape deal and it looks perfect.

Thanks HMS! I respect your knowledge
of fiberglass from reading this forum for some years. This is for a bigfoot, which I know you have.

Dave

I wouldn't use silicone for almost anything on an RV. Sikaflex or 3M polyurethane. Tape tight to the flange before you begin, rake ALL the excess squeeze out, peel the tape immediately and then don't touch it until it hardens. Depends on the exact product from Sika or 3M, but the medium to stronger ones will hold the plastic bezel with no fasteners at all.