Hi folks! I was searching Amazon and then I realized I should ask the experts here:-). My new van, which is very much a work-in-progress, still has exposed metal around the interior edges where the original roof was cut away and the raised roof put on. I'd like to cover up those edges, partly for protection (although I have run a grinder over them) and partly so that dust doesn't accumulate between the layers of the metal. The interior is white and it would be nice if the tape was white or clear. I will later cover this with fabric. I don't want to use duct tape because I think the adhesive would break down in the high heat when the van is in storage in the summer. I would also avoid fiberglass tape, because I'm quite allergic to fiberglass and I'm afraid it might break down over time. It would be extra great if the tape were breathable, because I will be taping two layers of metal with one piece of tape, and it would be nice to avoid condensation in the gap. One can't have everything, though.I was looking at the 3M Extreme Sealing Tape, which has good data for temperature, but is expensive and I haven't used it before. And then I thought I should ask you all first! Can you think of a tape that would be ideal for this job?

Gorilla tape holds up quite well in my experience. I haven't specifically tried it in exceptionally high temperature areas, but for reasonable everyday temperatures in harsh conditions it holds up really well and doesn't get gooey. Gaffer's tape (used by theater people) would also work nicely and is somewhat similar, a little easier to remove.Another option that's definitely not breathable and definitely not white is aluminum foil duct tape. This isn't standard duck tape/duct tape, but rather aluminum foil with an adhesive on one side and is used for sealing heating ducts. If the metal is clean it will stick pretty well, and being foil it holds its shape when bent. It is handy stuff for a variety of uses, but probably not ideal for exactly what you're looking for.

Edge trimDepends on how much exposed edge there is but this stuff comes in different formats.

RV experts, yes, high temperature tape, not likely. I'd go to Google myself.

Dick_B wrote:RV experts, yes, high temperature tape, not likely. I'd go to Google myself.High temp tape to me means something like exhaust system aluminized tape, not something that needs to withstand 120 deg temps. You can look at the aluminized tape, auto parts stores will have it if you think you need it.

Have you thought about Eternabond? It's white, lasts just about forever, and grips like crazy. You would need to use a very thin bead of Dicor along each edge to hide the thin line of whatever the glue is that Eternabond uses. Only place it does not meet your criteria is it is not breathable. But neither is aluminum tape or Gorilla tape.

Can you recommend me a high temperature tape? | Good Sam Community

Naio
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2019
I really appreciate CapnCampn pointing out that I can just perforate non breathable tape, so I don't need to worry about the breathability issue.

I don't think I want to fill the space with anything. This is the same area of the van that landyacht was talking about one time on his van, where the two layers of the roof come together with the wall and the whole business is sort of pleated together with the gutter.

He said it's a major origination point for rust, on vans with raised roofs, because the caulking around the edge of the new roof tends to fill the gutter and water doesn't flow properly.

I tried to shape my caulking well, so that water would still flow, but it's possibly not ok-but-not-great. Anyway, water gets between the many layers of metal and doesn't have a path to evaporate.

That's why I'm thinking about covering the whole area with breathable fabric when I have time. Or maybe even wrap it with wood! But now I just need something so that I can travel and not shake the summer's accumulation of allergens into the air.

When I get to the point of doing the permanent covering, I could poke a whole ton of holes in the tape, or cut it away.

Whatever happened to landy, anyway? He was such a nice guy.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 10, 2019
Since you will only be doing this once, I'd suggest the best quality materials you can find.

This is not a time to use "as good as".
MrWizard
Moderator
Sep 10, 2019
Fill with white polyurethane sealant
Then cap/cover with with plastic trim molding

Something like this 'U' shaped rubber trim

https://www.amazon.com/White-small-0-375-height-0-093/dp/B01DCJBJZU
Naio
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2019
pianotuna wrote:
I wish you had included a picture--I really can't get my brain around what you are trying to fix.

Yeah, it's really hard to describe. I'm not at the van right now, but I did a little web search and here is a pretty good picture.

You can see how the roof he is cutting has two layers. Those two layers are both exposed on the inside of my van. They come together at the van gutter, so the space between the two layers diminishes down to nothing and a lot of crud gets in there. Pollen and stuff.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 09, 2019
Naio,

Eternabond has one issue. The "edges" are sticky and dirt collects on the edges. Yes, you could caulk the edges.

I'm a fan of closed cell foam. It has a good R value which should cut down on condensation.

I wish you had included a picture--I really can't get my brain around what you are trying to fix.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Sep 09, 2019
I have some foil duct tape that says it's good to 250F.
ajriding
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2019
+1 for the foil tape. It is duct tape in reality. They use it on HVAC systems, so you can get it at Homedept probably. I used some to tape around my hot water chimney at home. Not sure if that was right but it is holding up well.
CapnCampn
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2019
Just a thought, maybe use your foil tape & poke a hole in it every so often for breathability. It would certainly reduce the amount of dust that travels in & out going from a large gap to a few small holes.

CC
Naio
Explorer II
Sep 09, 2019
Thank you, all of you!

I did look at Edge trim first, but because the removed roof was a dual-layer, I would need a total of about 80 feet, which gets awfully expensive.

If I use tape, I would use a 2-inch wide tape and tape over both edges with one piece of tape, sealing in the space between them. This would be a good thing for me because I have allergies, and it's difficult to clean in that space, which Narrows down to nothing. On the other hand there is a condensation issue.

Digging through my tool junk (which I probably should have done in the first place) I do have a large roll of foil tape. I could try it. It wouldn't cost money :-). But as someone pointed out, it would not breathe. It also wouldn't look that great....

I might still be looking for the perfect solution
2manytoyz
Explorer
Sep 09, 2019
Another vote for edge trim. This is intended for use on metal or fiberglass edges. Very tough stuff. Won't come off until you remove it. No heat issue, no adhesive residue, looks professional.

This is the product I've used on my projects:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KG9BAY0/

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