Butyl tape / sealant / or both?

Question

I am installing an external TV coax connection fixture on the aluminum siding of my travel trailer.  Some of the factory installed external connections such as the 110V outlet appears to only be sealed around the edge of the fixture with a white sealant while the cable input appears to only use butyl tape..  Is one better than the other or can you use both at the same time...  Just want to keep the H2O outside where it belongs...

turnthepage · Answer

I've had success using both.  I use butyl tape all the way around then typically leave the bottom edge uncaulked.  It's worked well for my old porous travel trailer.

jrnymn7 · Answer

As long as the caulking stays flexible (is highly rubberized), it will be fine, but butyl (aka tremco tape) is often much easier and less messy to work with, and does a great job of sealing. We use it for joining commercial/industrial duct work, and I used it all over my bus conversion... joining sheet metal panels, installing windows, bag awning rail, etc., and it can be applied in the cold, whereas most caulkings cannot.

chris_bryant · Answer

I always use butyl. and use caulk just for appearance.

rinconvtr · Answer

I butyl the joint where its compressed and clamped, then caulk then caulk the perimeter.

beemerphile1 · Answer

Butyl tape.Be aware that putty tape and butyl are not the same.

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Butyl tape / sealant / or both?

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