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JRRNeiklot's avatar
JRRNeiklot
Explorer
Oct 05, 2017

Replacing fridge vent cover

I ran my solar panel wires through the fridge vent. I need to put the cover back on. I do not want to buy an entire tube of Dicor just to coat 4 screws. Would it be okay to just get a small tube of some other kind of sealant for that?

Thanks.
  • Yes. I would use any of 3M marine sealant/adhesives that are labeled as UV resistant.

    BTW, Dicor is probably just as cost effective.

    I would also knock on a few doors to see if anybody nearby has an open tube to lend.
  • Saving $6 now may cost you dearly in the long run.
    Just a thought!
  • Well, I don't mind the 6 bucks as much as I hate the thought of buying an entire tube of caulk and using a tiny bit and essentially throwing it away. Next time I need some it will be hard as a rock.
  • Buy the Decor, cover the screws and then use the rest on something else on the roof that looks suspicious.
  • Are these the screws on the top of the cover part, for attaching it to the base part? If so, I don't think they need to be sealed--at least, mine never have been. Any slight bit of water that gets down the chimney part of the fridge area can exit via the lower vent, the same as any water that sneaks in via the lower vent. I would suggest using stainless steel screws for those four screws, though, so you have some hope of getting them out in one piece next time.

    Dicor keeps better than many products in caulking gun tubes, incidentally; just stick a roofing nail or whatever down the spout. It's good stuff to have on hand regardless.
  • JRRNeiklot wrote:
    Well, I don't mind the 6 bucks as much as I hate the thought of buying an entire tube of caulk and using a tiny bit and essentially throwing it away. Next time I need some it will be hard as a rock.


    I always keep a couple of these (2pk) caulk tub savers when I don't use a whole tube. Have used these for several years and not lost a partial tube of caulking yet. Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot also carry them along with Amazon.

    https://www.amazon.com/Homax-34065-Caulk-Keeper-2-Pack/dp/B000KKMWVU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1507316318&sr=8-6&keywords=caulk+tube+cap