RV tech. help on what sealant to use?

[NanciL]

I am going to be cutting a hole and installing a new cable entry port on the side of my brand new travel trailer.
What do the factories use for a sealant when they install them ?

Jack L

[ScottG]

Dave H M wrote:
I do not hesitate to use quality silicone.

It will probably be there when some anthropologist digs it up. :W

Don't they even use that stuff to put aquariums together?

oops I forgot to mention that I am not an RV tech, just an old retired pfazrt. :W

I agree, I've never found anything that seals and holds better than 100%e clear silicone. But it has to be used correctly.
Make sure the area is cleaned with a solvent and put the silicone between the two surfaces. Then remove any silicone you can still see. (the worst enemy to silicone is sun light, which turns it yellow and will eventually break it down.)
I've siliconed doors and all kinds of things on the outside of my TT and it's still water tight after 12 years.

[Cummins12V98]

If someone did that quality of a caulking job on one of my jobs I would have beaten him to near death with the caulking gun, THEN fired him.

Unreal someone would actually publish this.

[Dave_H_M]

my, that video is something one has got to see.

yes i did enjoy it. nuf said. :B

[myredracer]

How to caulk RV exterior with silicone. Enjoy!



There are caulking products made specifically for RV exterior use. Why would anyone not use the correct product for the application? There are some alternatives to RV exterior caulk (like Geocel) if you do your research.

[Cummins12V98]

Basic silicone should be avoided! Pic from DRV's stock.

[SH]

I agree with the "no silicone" contingent. There are many good sealants available. Use a good poly urethane, tri-polymer or even a polyether or silane terminated polymer.

My current favorite is Bostik 1100FS followed by Sika 505UV and Chemlinks M1. Tremco has some good ones as well but are difficult to locate.

[pianotuna]

Don't use silicone.

The makers use something called "monkey tape". There are better products such as Pro Flex.

[STBRetired]

I'm with SoundGuy. Geocel Pro Flex.

[Dave_H_M]

I do not hesitate to use quality silicone.

It will probably be there when some anthropologist digs it up. :W

Don't they even use that stuff to put aquariums together?

oops I forgot to mention that I am not an RV tech, just an old retired pfazrt. :W

[SoundGuy]

NanciL wrote:
I am going to be cutting a hole and installing a new cable entry port on the side of my brand new travel trailer.
What do the factories use for a sealant when they install them ?

Geocel Pro flex RV Flexible Sealant, available in clear, white, black ... never use silicone on the exterior of the trailer, you'll never get anything to stick to it, including more silicone. 😞

[jplante4]

On side walls, I've had good luck with clear silicon.