Total Eternabond Failure!

[solismaris]

In October I Eternabonded one roof seam down over to the side rain gutter, and also the roof/front cap junction. Two days layer I covered the roof and put my trailer to bed for the winter. Yesterday I opened it up, and found a total failure of the side seam job!

Meaning the entire side tape - or at least 90% of it, is completely unstuck; not a trace of adhesion. Interestingly, it still seems to be well-stuck (but I didn't test it very hard) to the metallic rain gutter, even though I only overlapped that by about 1/4 inch or so.

The roof/front gap job looks ok though - at least it is not 100% unstuck. I'll look at this one more carefully tomorrow.

Extremely discouraged. Eternabond is supposed to be THE BEST, the recommended solution to roof maintenance. What could have happened?

On the day I did the job, it was cool, mid-40s, and cloudy (within their recommended temperature range). There was a slight layer of frost on the roof, which I rubbed off with rags. Then I cleaned the roof with acetone. At least 4 times, with fresh acetone and clean rags each time. I made a dam above the job with towels to absorb any water that might drip down to my work from the peaked middle of the roof. I am confident that the roof was completely dry.

While I did clean it at least 4 times with acetone, as we know these roofs exude a chalky substance as they age, and how do I know when to stop cleaning? After 4 times it was looking clean but certainly not like new.

I rubbed hard with a roller - about as hard as I could while balancing on a ladder - and also with my fist pressing down onto a washcloth. I rubbed more than I thought I needed to.

When I finished the job, it looked good. Well adhered and I doubt I could have peeled it off without destroying the underlying roof membrane.

What could have happened? All opinions appreciated. And I'll call Eternabond for help but I'm not going to make them take the blame if it is something I did wrong. But I thought I was following all instructions and felt good about the job back in October.

What a mess. I'll probably have to remove it all, and start over with Proflex. My confidence in Eternabond at this point is shattered.

[jolooote]

Is this a Rubber roof? Some, on here, say Eternabond will destroy the rubber.

[Simplygib]

Was the Eternabond tape at room temperature immediately prior to installation? It's supposed to be. Also, Eternabond primer is recommended at temps below 40F. Sounds like you were close to that.

Eternabond Instructions

[ksg5000]

Over the years I have purchased 3 or 4 rolls of Eternabond and recall that about 1/2 of one roll wouldn't stick - they sent me a replacement roll. Maybe you had a bad roll?

[We_Cant_Wait]

even though the temps were within eternabonds range, the fact that there was frost on the roof indicated that the temp of the roof was well below the ideal temp range and may have been a big factor. I too have used eternabond numerous times and cleaned/prepped surface using only Acetone with great luck and no issues. Am inclined to believe that this was a temp issue.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Going to watch this post carefully.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

The colder it is the harder one has to press. Eternabond can be installed underwater (I don't recommend it).

They did have a bad run of product about 3 or 4 years ago now.

[RJsfishin]

Maybe ok, but just the sounds of the weather conditions when you applied it, just don't sound good at all. I'd bet humidity was very high, and that in itself could have caused a problem ???

[naturist]

The fact that the Eternabond came unstuck says that either the roll you had was defective (highly unlikely) or that there were contaminants on the surface that did not get removed by your cleaning regimen. Or the fairies came along over the winter and pried it up. But I won't go for that one.

Acetone is a powerful solvent. But it does not dissolve EVERYTHING. In particular, there are substances that work very well to prevent adhesion that acetone won't touch. Acetone will remove many waxes water won't affect. And water will remove many other problem residues that acetone won't touch. By scraping away the frost and going straight to acetone, you would have left intact a lot of crud that got there in the first place via water.

[Cobra21]

That really puzzles me. I put eternal bond on 3 years ago with great results.
I think I used acetone first followed by 409. May have been on the cool side
for you, mine had the heat of the summer to set.

Sorry that happened to you, Brian

[352]

Pretty simple. If your roof is white use a dark rag and dry rub it across the area. If there is white on it is is not clean enough.

[Tvov]

Sounds like I did an Eternabond repair last fall under the same conditions as solismaris. I am interested to see how things will look next month when I uncover the camper. I forget what kind of cleaner I used - I followed the instructions, but it was not acetone as I did not have any at the time.

[ford_truck_guy]

BuckBarker wrote:
Although I have read it more times than I can count about cleaning with acetone; acetone itself WILL NOT remove dirt! I have found that a common household cleaner such as Mr. Clean or even Dawn dish soap makes a great product for cleaning off dirt and grease. Once your rags indicate no more dirt on the surface, then it is time to use the acetone.
Test it yourself. Wipe a roof section with acetone then use a household cleaner on the same section. You will remove dirt with the cleaner.

I second this statement.. I did a small piece of Eterno bond and at first did not clean the area well...I had to remove - clean with a cleanser , and them I used the cleaning spray that is specifically for use.. all was good

[BuckBarker]

Although I have read it more times than I can count about cleaning with acetone; acetone itself WILL NOT remove dirt! I have found that a common household cleaner such as Mr. Clean or even Dawn dish soap makes a great product for cleaning off dirt and grease. Once your rags indicate no more dirt on the surface, then it is time to use the acetone.
Test it yourself. Wipe a roof section with acetone then use a household cleaner on the same section. You will remove dirt with the cleaner.

[gbopp]

Did you Contact Eternabond?
Maybe they can explain what happened or help with your repairs. Possibly you got a bad roll?
I used it on our Southwind several years ago, it's still attached and has given me no problems.