Refitting hightop roof vent

Post by **Cruz** » 20 Jan 2006, 10:43

The reoof vent on the van is leaking and needs resealing. The stuff it's sealed with is like a soft putty.

What am I best using to reseal it?

Post by **Ian Hulley** » 20 Jan 2006, 11:10

It's been sealed with mastic rather than silicone,which remains a rubbery texture instead of gunge-like putty.

Remove,clean all surfaces and refit using white silicone sealant in the sandwich,smooth off round the edge and forget it.

Cheers,Ian.

Post by **banana** » 20 Jan 2006, 12:51

Ive heard silkaflex 512 (I think thats the number) is a good sealant

Post by **Cruz** » 08 Feb 2006, 06:57

Ian Hulley wrote:It's been sealed with mastic rather than silicone,which remains a rubbery texture instead of gunge-like putty.

Remove,clean all surfaces and refit using white silicone sealant in the sandwich,smooth off round the edge and forget it.

Cheers,Ian.

Is that the same silicone sealant you use on baths and sinks etc?

Post by **banana** » 08 Feb 2006, 10:52

Sikaflex 512 and A165 Polyseal 40 are both Polyeurothane UV resistant sealants. This means they resist sun light better than ordinary bath sealant. Polyeurothane dries a bit harder than silicon. Sikaflex is recognized by the insurance industry hence it is popular. Find your local caravan repair man and he will probably know where to get it. Ive got a roof light but not got the courage to do it yet as Im not certain the roof is flat enough in profile to guarantee a good seal.

Post by **Cruz** » 08 Feb 2006, 12:12

My roof vent is the original as fitted in 83 and is held in place with a number if screws around the vent that I need to remove to get the vent off.

Has anyone got any tips as to how I can access the vent screws on top of the roof seeing as high tops roofs are just flimsy fibre glass?

Post by **Tex Ritter** » 08 Feb 2006, 17:44

Simply get a set of tallish step ladders, lean across the roof and undo all the screws, half from left side and half from right side.

To remove the clagged-on outer framework, heat a thin bladed putty knife or equivalent and slide it under twixt roof and frame, easing the frame up as you slide the putty knife/ thin blade etc, along (put clothes pegs in to act as spacers to stop it re-sealing itself as you work your way round)

Clean off the old mastic using white spirit or equivalent.

You can buy the ribbon type mastic from any caravan accessory shop, costs about £6 depending on width (various widths available) required.

I weigh in the region of 16.5 stone and my 1980s fibreglass roof held me OK, bearing in mind I only lay across it, my main weight was on the step ladders.

Tex Ritter