Resealing the hatches

I just use a heat gun (on low) and a plastic scraper to remove the old caulk. I would not use a wire wheel or brush, it could damage the surface.
If the old caulk is solid, I don't remove it. I just remove the loose stuff, clean well and apply the new sealant.
I use acetone to clean the surface, alcohol will do the job.

gbopp wrote:
I just use a heat gun (on low) and a plastic scraper to remove the old caulk. I would not use a wire wheel or brush, it could damage the surface.
If the old caulk is solid, I don't remove it. I just remove the loose stuff, clean well and apply the new sealant.
I use acetone to clean the surface,

Thank you.
I forgot to mention my roof is aluminium.

I believe the instructions for Dicor say to use Mineral Spirits but acetone would work too. Alcohol just isn't strong enough to cut any remaining residue.
Unless the surface is aluminum, don't use a wire brush.

I always thought mineral spirits left a residue. If Dicor recommends it, then it shouldn't be a problem.
Personally, I would not use a wire wheel or brush on an aluminum roof.

gbopp wrote:
I always thought mineral spirits left a residue. If Dicor recommends it, then it shouldn't be a problem.
Personally, I would not use a wire wheel or brush on an aluminum roof.

I always thought that too but it seems to work great and it leave the roof super clean. Once the smell is gone, the slipperyness seems to be gone too.

Boaters use butyl rubber tape to bed windows and hatches. It lasts longer than any other sealant/caulk.

Keep the wire wheel away from anything. It will do more damage than good. On aluminum you stand the chance of starting corrosion when the steel particles from the brush become embedded in the aluminum. Otherwise it will chew the aluminum to shreds.

Charles

CharlesinGA wrote:
Keep the wire wheel away from anything. It will do more damage than good. On aluminum you stand the chance of starting corrosion when the steel particles from the brush become embedded in the aluminum. Otherwise it will chew the aluminum to shreds.

Charles

Sound advice.
Thank you.