Resealing High Top Roof

[oddnumber]

Morning chaps, hope you're all well.

I'm wondering what's best to use to reseal the join where the fibreglass hightop meets the original roof, and along just above the gutters. Would regular silicone work? I don't have any leaks but whatever is on there at the moment is discoloured and looks rank.

Ta very much as always

[Woodyyellow]

Hi there
What sort of discolouration have you got around your roof line. If its at all rusty then beware! Have a look at my thread here,
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=128706" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have a little more cleaning and tidying to do before I replace the top sealing it with "Sikaflex 512". This apparently will glue and seal in one go - no other fastenings required!

[oddnumber]

Hey Woody thanks for the reply. No rust at all, just grey and dirty looking. So can you apply Sikaflex over the existing seealant after a clean up?

[Woodyyellow]

Not too sure about that! Mine needs a full reseal so will show outside a little, though I will trim it back flush. Maybe some sort of cleaner, fibre glass top cleaner? then a coat of paint to freshen it up.

[oddnumber]

Interesting - cheers Woody. I'd not heard of Sikaflex before.

Thanks matey

[Oldiebut goodie]

Polyurethane adhesive/sealant - many makes, Sikaflex, Soudaflex, Tiger Seal and so on.

[oddnumber]

Thanks Oldie. Can they be applied over existing sealant?

[Oldiebut goodie]

They work better with a thickish bead seal so a surface skim over pre-existing sealant isn't recommended. If the original sealant is the same type it can go over the top. Don't use silicone based sealants.

[max and caddy]

As above...avoid silicone as it releases acetic acid (vinegar) as it cures and will set off rusting..any poly sealer will only be effective if its applied over a sound surface..splodge it on rust and it will lift very soon after.

[Jakemate]

I sealed mine all the way around a month ago with sikaflex, bloody good stuff and I've had the whole roof painted afterwards.

I have four new tubes left over, bought 6 and used two.

Don't get it on your hands, I'd wear latex gloves

[Jakemate]

They use sikaflex a lot on boats, it seals well and sticks well too, my hands proved that !

[Bonfireboy]

Just discovered that 2/3 of the sealant around my high top has blown. Lots of moisture and dirt behind it so assuming its no longer attached to the van. When you talk about re-sealing, presumably you need to rake out all the old stuff first, take roof off, clean, apply new Sealflex and re-seat the roof down... or have I compleatly over complicated it.

[Jakemate]

I'm prob wrong but I cleaned, removed all the dirt then sealed over the top of the old with sikoflex then once set prepped my roof and sprayed it.
No leaks now which I had before.

[Bonfireboy]

Thanks for that. I'm re-carpeting the hightop as well so whilst is all stripped out I'll see if I can re seal from the inside as well. Cheers.