Glueing hightop seal back in place- recommendations

[timski]

Hi Guys,

The rubber seal that goes between the high-top and the roof of the van is coming away at the corners (see pic below). Any recommendations on what to use to secure it back in place?



Cheers,
Tim.

[Jeff J]

Just done mine with clear mastic. Held it down with masking tape for a couple of days to "go off", then trimmed off excess with Stanley knife blade.

[andyb]

Marine grade sikoflex is the best in my opinion

[timski]

Ah I just bought some Sikaflex to do the seems. I didn't realise that would be strong enough to hold it in place. I thought I'd have to glue it first. That's a bonus then

Thanks guys!

[mm289]

Sikaflex is good, but FYI have a read of MetalMickey's resto post on "kevtherevagon" and also some of my later pics on Gunther makeover https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=89420

This seal is a real weak point on the Autosleepers as it wasn't sealed from new, just squashed between the roof and the top with rivets drilled through the metal. As a result water gets in under the seal and they rust like mad!!

Its a big job to repair, so not something to do right now, but worth being aware of If you see any lifting/bubbling under the front or rear seal you have a problem starting and need to factor in a repair at some stage.

Cheers,

MM

[82camper]

Hi, had similar problem on my leisure drive high top, mananged to lift top and clean out old seal with great
Difficulty(built frame and acro prop under frame then rocked it to get in all places ) once cleaned and surface rust treated I used tigerseal bought on internet as it is an adhesivesealant, apparentlyI'll never get it off again but I guess the hightop will redundant before seal goes if had chance to do again I'd have used knock on edging around the lip of hightop to finish better ...
Good luck

[timski]

Sikaflex is good, but FYI have a read of MetalMickey's resto post on "kevtherevagon" and also some of my later pics on Gunther makeover https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=89420

This seal is a real weak point on the Autosleepers as it wasn't sealed from new, just squashed between the roof and the top with rivets drilled through the metal. As a result water gets in under the seal and they rust like mad!!

Its a big job to repair, so not something to do right now, but worth being aware of If you see any lifting/bubbling under the front or rear seal you have a problem starting and need to factor in a repair at some stage.

Cheers,

MM

Oh it is definitely rotting away under the hightop. I think the rust is already in a pretty bad shape so will have to deal with that at some stage. No time at present unforunately.

[andyb]

Well this was what I found under my hi-top when it came off

[mm289]

That's epic Andy worst one I've seen so far!

MM

[timski]

Well this was what I found under my hi-top when it came off

Blimey, how did you sort that out?

Intertesting...I wonder how you lift the hightop up to get a looksie? oh well, I think I'll worry about that when I can actually do something about it. Too much on at the moment. Maybe I dont wanna know yet either

[Oldiebut goodie]

[timski]

My thoughts exactly

[andyb]

this is my van after lots and lots of work - roof repaired



I imagine mines was a worst case scenario - its really easy to cut the sealer and lift the roof off - I got three long pieces of wood and lifted one end first got one piece wood under and worked along
did similiar replacing roof

[timski]

this is my van after lots and lots of work - roof repaired



I imagine mines was a worst case scenario - its really easy to cut the sealer and lift the roof off - I got three long pieces of wood and lifted one end first got one piece wood under and worked along
did similiar replacing roof

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the hightop of the Autosleeper is riveted to the roof so not sure it is just a case of removing the sealant. I will have a poke at some stage in the future.

Your van is looking great now though! Nice work.