gaps where the awning meets the roof

kstockwell

kstockwell

Member
May 24, 2016
376
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18
There's a gap where the awnings are screwed onto the coach, during rainstorms water runs through these gaps and down the sides of the coach; I can't
keep windows open, it can pour in around the door.

The best solution would be for me to unmount the awning, get SS bolts, seal, and put new bolts in.

The cheap and easy way to do it would be to seal on top with this stuff
https://www.amazon.com/EternaBond-RSW-2-50-RoofSeal-Sealant-White/dp/B005GOM2I8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

is that a terrible idea? I'm not a good caulker; and am afraid this would be really permanent (though I'm not sure permanent is bad.

kelly
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
How big is the gap?
It might be better to fill it with polyurethane sealant in a caulking tube.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> There's a gap where the awnings are screwed onto the coach, during rainstorms water runs through these gaps and down the sides of the coach; I can't
> keep windows open, it can pour in around the door.
>
> The best solution would be for me to unmount the awning, get SS bolts, seal, and put new bolts in.
>
> The cheap and easy way to do it would be to seal on top with this stuff
> https://www.amazon.com/EternaBond-RSW-2-50-RoofSeal-Sealant-White/dp/B005GOM2I8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
>
> is that a terrible idea? I'm not a good caulker; and am afraid this would be really permanent (though I'm not sure permanent is bad.
>
> kelly
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Not very big gap. Caulk would work; but like I said, I'm not good at it

But yeah, you're probably right caulk is the way to go.

Am i right in assuming removing and redoing the screws is a can of worms?

kelly
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
Use polyurethane caulking from Home Depot. It is called PL sealant. It has a Loctite label.
It comes as window/door sealant, concrete sealant, foundation sealant, and others. The only difference is the color.
I use the black around windows and the wheelwell liners. You’ll probably want to use the wire above the awning rail.

Once it cures for a few days it is paintable.
It will not degrade in the sunlight as silicone sealant does.

Put masking tape on both sides of the crack you want to seal. Run the sealant in with the tube and then you can smooth it level with the tape with your finger.
Before it cures pull off the masking tape and you will have a nice clean edge.

Removing the screws in the rail is really difficult and you’ll probably break most of them and have to drill them out. Using sealant is a lot easier.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Not very big gap. Caulk would work; but like I said, I'm not good at it
>
> But yeah, you're probably right caulk is the way to go.
>
> Am i right in assuming removing and redoing the screws is a can of worms?
>
> kelly
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
good tip on the tape around where I'll put 50 gallons of caulk

OK, caulk it is!

-k
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
http://www.appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/917
You might want to get this small piece to put above the door to keep rain
from leaking. Some coaches came with it and some did not.

> good tip on the tape around where I'll put 50 gallons of caulk
>
> OK, caulk it is!
>
> -k
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I have something over the door to divert water. we had a 2" downpour in few hours and water just poured everywhere. I don't remember water coming
in other times

--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
Not often Emory and I disagree, but I must this time: PL Polyurethane IS
paintable -- meaning that painting won't hurt the caulk. BUT, the paint
will NOT stick to the caulk (permanently).

Back in '02 or so when I was getting ready to have the GMC painted, I
contacted PL and was told that after 7 days of curing, even automotive
paint would not hurt the caulk, so I used a lot of it on GMC seams, such as
around my permanently mounted fender flares and the rear "hatch". After
about 5 years, those seams became the only real flaws in my Topeka Graphics
paint job. And after 15 years, those are STILL the main flaws -- there's
NO paint adhered to any of those seams. Looks terrible from even 10'.

JWIK,

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
www.gmcwipersetc.com

> Use polyurethane caulking from Home Depot. It is called PL sealant. It
> has a Loctite label.
> It comes as window/door sealant, concrete sealant, foundation sealant, and
> others. The only difference is the color.
> I use the black around windows and the wheelwell liners. You’ll probably
> want to use the wire above the awning rail.
>
> Once it cures for a few days it is paintable.
> It will not degrade in the sunlight as silicone sealant does.
>
> Put masking tape on both sides of the crack you want to seal. Run the
> sealant in with the tube and then you can smooth it level with the tape
> with your finger.
> Before it cures pull off the masking tape and you will have a nice clean
> edge.
>
> Removing the screws in the rail is really difficult and you’ll probably
> break most of them and have to drill them out. Using sealant is a lot
> easier.
>
 
My brother has been a building contractor for 30+ years. For a while before contracting, he did only caulking for another contractor. He put me on to
Vulkem 116 Polyurethane Sealant made by Tremco. When I resided my home, I used this stuff and it has remained pliable for the past 18yrs. So, I have
used it on my Royale to seal the gap between the awning and the roof and other spots as needed. Comes in lots of different colors. Don't know if it is
paintable. Otherwise, no issues. JWID
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Perhaps it depends on the type of paint used.

I used PL polyurethane on a roof seam over ten years ago. I painted it with Krylon acrylic spray from a can. It was Antique White which was a great match to my GMC paint.

I was on the roof last week and the paint is still holding very well to the half inch wide band of polyurethane caulk.

Ken, what type of paint did you use? Strange that we would have such different results.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Not often Emory and I disagree, but I must this time: PL Polyurethane IS
> paintable -- meaning that painting won't hurt the caulk. BUT, the paint
> will NOT stick to the caulk (permanently).
>
> Back in '02 or so when I was getting ready to have the GMC painted, I
> contacted PL and was told that after 7 days of curing, even automotive
> paint would not hurt the caulk, so I used a lot of it on GMC seams, such as
> around my permanently mounted fender flares and the rear "hatch". After
> about 5 years, those seams became the only real flaws in my Topeka Graphics
> paint job. And after 15 years, those are STILL the main flaws -- there's
> NO paint adhered to any of those seams. Looks terrible from even 10'.
>
> JWIK,
>
> Ken H.
> Americus, GA
> '76 X-Birchaven w/Cad500/Howell EFI & EBL,
> Manny Brakes & 1-Ton, etc., etc., etc.
> www.gmcwipersetc.com
>

>>
>> Use polyurethane caulking from Home Depot. It is called PL sealant. It
>> has a Loctite label.
>> It comes as window/door sealant, concrete sealant, foundation sealant, and
>> others. The only difference is the color.
>> I use the black around windows and the wheelwell liners. You’ll probably
>> want to use the wire above the awning rail.
>>
>> Once it cures for a few days it is paintable.
>> It will not degrade in the sunlight as silicone sealant does.
>>
>> Put masking tape on both sides of the crack you want to seal. Run the
>> sealant in with the tube and then you can smooth it level with the tape
>> with your finger.
>> Before it cures pull off the masking tape and you will have a nice clean
>> edge.
>>
>> Removing the screws in the rail is really difficult and you’ll probably
>> break most of them and have to drill them out. Using sealant is a lot
>> easier.
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
> My brother has been a building contractor for 30+ years. For a while before contracting, he did only caulking for another contractor. He put me on
> to Vulkem 116 Polyurethane Sealant made by Tremco. When I resided my home, I used this stuff and it has remained pliable for the past 18yrs. So, I
> have used it on my Royale to seal the gap between the awning and the roof and other spots as needed. Comes in lots of different colors. Don't know
> if it is paintable. Otherwise, no issues. JWID

OH, and I should mention, if you use this stuff, be patient with drying time. It can take several days to dry so it is not tacky to the touch. Also,
I'd wear rubber gloves of some kind. Stuff is sticky as hell, and is hard to remove from your skin.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
G'day,

Since it is flexible relative motion between both sides of the gap it is sealing might affect whether the paint adheres or not over time.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Emery Stora
Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2017 12:54 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] gaps where the awning meets the roof

Perhaps it depends on the type of paint used.

I used PL polyurethane on a roof seam over ten years ago. I painted it with Krylon acrylic spray from a can. It was Antique White which was a great match to my GMC paint.

I was on the roof last week and the paint is still holding very well to the half inch wide band of polyurethane caulk.

Ken, what type of paint did you use? Strange that we would have such different results.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Not often Emory and I disagree, but I must this time: PL Polyurethane IS
> paintable -- meaning that painting won't hurt the caulk. BUT, the paint
> will NOT stick to the caulk (permanently).
>
> Back in '02 or so when I was getting ready to have the GMC painted, I
> contacted PL and was told that after 7 days of curing, even automotive
> paint would not hurt the caulk, so I used a lot of it on GMC seams, such as
> around my permanently mounted fender flares and the rear "hatch". After
> about 5 years, those seams became the only real flaws in my Topeka Graphics
> paint job. And after 15 years, those are STILL the main flaws -- there's
> NO paint adhered to any of those seams. Looks terrible from even 10'.
>
> JWIK,
>
> Ken H.
 
Whatever BASF variety Topeka was using at the time.

Ken H.
​
​

> Perhaps it depends on the type of paint used.
>
> I used PL polyurethane on a roof seam over ten years ago. I painted it
> with Krylon acrylic spray from a can. It was Antique White which was a
> great match to my GMC paint.
>
> I was on the roof last week and the paint is still holding very well to
> the half inch wide band of polyurethane caulk.
>
> Ken, what type of paint did you use? Strange that we would have such
> different results.
>
 
I was not familiar with Wurth Bond and Seal so I checked on the internet and found this:

Can be painted over once a skin has formed (perform preliminary tests to check compatibility with paint!)

So, apparently, some paints might not be compatible with the sealant.
Probably the same with PL Polyurethane as Ken Henderson found out the hard way.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I have a bunch of tubes of Wurth Bond and Seal
>
> thank you all!
> k
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I ordered from Jim Bounds, (i think) so I'm good with whatever it does. My roof is white, the caulk is white.

If when I paint lots of stuff needs to come off.

Is it worth checking to see if the bolts can all be tightened or am I asking for trouble?

-k
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
The bolts play a minor role in the system. They are there to snug up the rails against the butyl tape underneath that is doing all the seam sealing.

When I did my drip rails last month the butyl tape underneath the drip rails was hard and dry like cardboard.

George
78 EL II
Atlanta

>
> I ordered from Jim Bounds, (i think) so I'm good with whatever it does. My roof is white, the caulk is white.
>
> If when I paint lots of stuff needs to come off.
>
>
> Is it worth checking to see if the bolts can all be tightened or am I asking for trouble?
>
>
> -k
> --
> 1978 Kingsley
> Putney VT
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I don't know if bond and seal acts like a glue? If it does you may not want to actually seal it to the roof. That will play havoc when it's time to
paint the coach and remove the awning.
--
77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
Mid Michigan
 
Their web site seemed to indicate that it was a sealant rather than a glue.

Emery Stora
\

>
> I don't know if bond and seal acts like a glue? If it does you may not want to actually seal it to the roof. That will play havoc when it's time to
> paint the coach and remove the awning.
> --
> 77 Royale, Rear Dry Bath. 403, 3.55 Final Drive, Lenzi goodies, Patterson carb and dizzy.
> Mid Michigan
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
My understanding is it is a sealant.

And it looks like the awning is attached with rivets, so no need to worry about breaking off screws

-kelly
--
1978 Kingsley
Putney VT
 
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