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Under the knife

Yahoo Message Number: 98225
Just thought I show what's going on in the shop. 05' Inspire with de-laming on the slide wall. Pulled windows, slide topper & perimeter aluminum extrusions, and because of the water the fiberglass pretty much just fell off at that point. Now the fun begins....or should I say continues!

Jim Lewis

Infinity Coach

Re: Under the knife

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98226
Wow, that looks like major work. What was the source of the water leak/intrusion? I think all of us with CC's have heard about the potential for the slides to leak at the top.

Any sage advice is appreciated.
Gary

07 Allure 470 #31578

Re: Under the knife

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98228
Yes I'll post some more photos as time permits ... The source of the leak as it appears now was from a couple different things. For sure the windows, and for sure the top seam where sidewall connects to roof. The way the perimeter trim is (c-channel) I don't believe the water wicked thru that, yes I'm sure it's possible but unlikely...
This just shows how important re-sealing is - - - something I preach constantly.... Strip & Re-Seal and use good quality sealant, such as what we use - Sikaflex 295-uv
Being in the NW, I always say - "As soon as any RV crosses the state line into Washington it needs to be stripped & re-sealed"? regardless of age, brand new, 1 month, 1 year, 5 or 10 years old, it just doesn't matter- it needs to be re-sealed. Your only fooling yourself if you don't think it needs it and re-sealing is soooo much cheaper than repairing what water damage does....

Jim

Re-Seal, Re-Seal, Re-Seal or keep it under cover! If it goes down the road, it leaks! The question isn't does it leak, it's how much does it leak?

Re: Under the knife

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98229
Jim

When you say re-seal are you meaning removing the existing Dicor type sealant from the roof protrusions, windows, and slides? What would a typical cost be for a country coach? Rod

Re: Under the knife

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98230
So, got the message to reseal!!! What exactly should be on the reseal list!?!

Cori & Greg Young
"The Restless Youngs"

2008 Allure Crane Prarie, 31655

Re: Under the knife

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98231
I recently replaced all my slide toppers (fabric) so I had opportunity to get a good look at the tops of the slide rooms. It appears the sealant (Sika....black) that CC used is still in great shape but I still cleaned the area well with acetone and applied 4" Eternabond tape over the seams. I used Ebond on the roof of my previous coach and was always satisfied with results.

Gary

07 Allure 470 #31578
 

Re: Under the knife

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98236
Are standard is to strip and re-seal everything, everywhere and anything that looks like water could get in. All moldings, protrusions, windows (all the way around, not just the top as most manufactures do) seams, overlaps, etc... We strip out all the existing without doing or creating damage, (ie scratches in the paint) tape out the seam using masking tape, rough up the surface to add teeth for the product, clean with alcohol, after fully evaporated then apply. Using the tape does 2 things, first it gives the appearance we want - a nice crisp pin strip look, second and probably most important according to our Sika rep is that it has a blunt edge and never a feathered edge. With a feathered edge, like what you get if you fingertip the product without using tape, during the shrink back process it won't shrink consistently thus allowing the product to create ridges & valleys. When you have the ridges/valleys you increase amount of possible penetration by up to double. In other words, if you have 1"? of blunt edge there's only 1"? of possible penetration, if you have ridges/valleys in that same 1"? you could have up to 2"? of possible penetration.
As far as cost goes here, we charge a flat rate on labor for complete re-seal package $1250 plus product. Average product cost is $400. So with tax it's right at $2k.

Jim