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Topic: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond & Polyurethane (Read 863 times) previous topic - next topic
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My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond & Polyurethane
FYI. In April of 2014 my wife and carefully covered the perimeter roof seams with Eternabond (see attached photo). Today those same covered roof seams appear in good condition with the Eternabond still well bonded to the aluminum roof.  We covered the old factory installed brown caulking visible in the photo. We cleaned the surfaces with acetone prior to the Eternabond application. I treated only the perimeter seams not wanting to commit the entire project when some folks at Lazy Daze were reluctant to recommend Eternabond. I also covered small areas around the round vents with a polyurethane caulk recommended by LD.  Again, I did remove the old caulk and the polyurethane today still appears well bonded to the aluminum roof and metal vents penetrating the roof. I did remove the old caulk at one vent with a lot of effort.  My conclution was it was not worth it and did not provide a worthwhile benefit to the project. So it seems we had some sucess and with that over the last 2 weekends treated the square  penetrations (hatches, etc.) with Eternabond and the round penetrations with the Polyurethane. My hope is we have a weatherproof in the coming years.  The 2002 MB LD is stored outside and never covered as we use it with some frequency.
2002 MB
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #1 –

Unless the sealant covering the base of the vents is peeling, I usually just scrub the sealant well. with soap and water, and when dry, wipe it with a clean rag, soaked in acetone or lacquer. Then overcoat the old sealant with Dicor or polyurethane.

The new overcoated sealant's job is to protect the vent's plastic bases, and the original sealant, from exposure to the elements.
The actual seal is between the vent and the roof, something that cannot be renewed with removing the vents, good thing they very rarely develop a leak. The exception is a crack in the vent's plastic housing.

For those who must remove the old sealant, an electric vibratory tool, with a shape chisle blade, cuts through the old sealant quickly...until you hit a screw head. Have two blades on hand, they can be resharpened many times.
Dremel MM600 Multi-Max Rigid Scraper - Power Rotary Tool Accessories -...

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond and Polyurethane
Reply #2 –
Thanks Larry!
2002 MB
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #3 –
I sealed my ‘83 with Eternabond this summer, using 4” and 6” tape ( one roll of each was all I could find locally). I used the primer after cleaning the surface, so hopefully it’s a job I will never have to do again.
1983 20'
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #4 –
Does anyone know the lifespan of (properly applied) Eternabond, used in this method?
And how difficult will it be to replace at the end of its life?
Not being critical but just trying to get my head around whether to use Eternabond or polyurethane sealant to reseal my roof.
2004 26.5 MB
Enjoying retirement traveling, Rzr riding, photography, and of course the 2 grand girls!
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #5 –
I expect it will last a very, very long time (well over a decade) and still seal effectively in just about any conditions.  I expect the top tape might crack a bit in that time, but it will still be sealed. It will also be extremely difficult to remove.
 
The main consideration is how long you expect your Lazy Daze’s service life will be. Nothing last forever, but in a lot of cases this stuff (properly installed) could be considered “eternal”.
 
One note- it is thicker than a normal seal, so water pooling is greater if you have horizontal seams. I used 6” tape there, so I’m not really worried about it too much.
1983 20'
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #6 –
If, in about 20 years, the top layer of the eternabond would crack, I would put on another layer right on top of the existing one. It will stick very well to itself. Just make sure you use it in places you never want to remove it from. It is very difficult and time consuming to remove.
Dale from Downey 27’ 2012 RB,”Casa Verde”, 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Formerly1991 RB & 1990 Jeep Wrangler.
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #7 –
Quote from: folivier  - 
Does anyone know the lifespan of (properly applied) Eternabond, used in this method?
And how difficult will it be to replace at the end of its life?
Not being critical but just trying to get my head around whether to use Eternabond or polyurethane sealant to reseal my roof.

Eternabond was originally a roofing product, used to seal membrane roofs, on commercial buildings.
I have inspected twenty-year old flat roofs, sealed with Eternabond tape, and found them to be in good shape and water tight.
LD roofs that I sealed  ten years ago, with Eternabond, still are intact. It good stuff when the roof is properly prepared.

I used 4" wide tape for years before switching to 6' tape, allowing twice the coverage of the roof seams.
Most should use the 4", due to the greater difficulty of laying the 6" tape in a straight line and not having it accidentally stick to itself.
The 6" tape can be a bear to handle, especially single handed. Two co-ordinated workers is suggested to lay either size tape.

Polyurethane can also be used.  It requires a lot of prep and, preferably, the removal much of the original sealant, to make sure the roof seam is totally clean and free of any debris that would cause a poor seal. This is the method the LD would used to reseal the roof.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #8 –
"It's good stuff when the roof is properly prepared."
----
Thorough surface prep is definitely the key to a long-lasting E-bond job. One has to be willing and able to take the time to assemble the necessary prep and installation materials, plan the cleaning procedures and mark off the tape layouts, not stretch the tape when applying it and 'roll' it completely tight; do-overs are all but impossible with E-bond. Once in a while, one can get a bad roll of E-bond, i.e., poor adhesion, but, IMO, most E-bond job 'fails' are due to sloppy/incomplete surface prep and/or hurried application.

I did my 2003's roof about 5-6 years ago; it looks good, is sound, and should last the life of the rig. Doing an E-bond job right can be physically demanding; prep and application are hard on one's knees (even with knee pads) and back and hands, and, depending how many solar panels or other 'obstructions' one has on top, access can be challenging. I think that a few people have done the job from a ladder on the sides of the rig, but that would not have worked for me; like most, I worked from the roof.

I suggest that those considering E-bonding their roofs critically assess any physical 'limitations' before committing to do the job; let's just say that I'm happy that I did the roof when I was only 71.

As ever, YMMV.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #9 –
Larry wrote:
Most should use the 4", due to the greater difficulty of laying the 6" tape in a straight line

Straight line? Not on KoKo.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond and Polyurethane
Reply #10 –
Larry,

Thanks for your reply.  I noticed you recommended applying polyurethane after removing the original brown caulk (so did LD). About 4 years ago I applied the poly over the old caulk with apparent sucess.  That old brown caulk was cracked but still fairly well bonded to the roof and difficult to remove.  I removed it around one vent and did not feel I got a great benefit from the effort so started to apply poly over the old caulk.  Just I thought.  Thanks again.
2002 MB
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #11 –
i can't decide if i'd like to see the title fixed or not... for some reason i can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up....
1999 MB
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #12 –
 "for some reason i can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up...."
---
I had the same reaction....  ;) 
2003 TK has a new home
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #13 –
Quote from: mcnugget  - 
i can't decide if i'd like to see the title fixed or not... for some reason i can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up....
Well, LD is a California company and California did vote to . . . .  :o   :o  ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabong and Polyurethane
Reply #14 –
Quote from: mcnugget  - 
i can't decide if i'd like to see the title fixed or not... for some reason i can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up....
I missed that too and have spoiled all the fun by correcting it. Only for search reasons. There are some good tips in the thread.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond and Polyurethane
Reply #15 –
“Suddenly my leaky roof just didn’t seem all that important.”
                       - Another satisfied customer
1983 20'
 
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond and Polyurethane
Reply #16 –
Quote from: mcnugget  - 
i can't decide if i'd like to see the title fixed or not... for some reason i can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up....


Late to the party...I totally spaced the title 'til reading this post, but Chris had fixed it by then--still, I find myself giggling (perhaps a result of a secondary exposure experience??), as I read "...can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up...."   

Back in my straight-laced/Goody 2-Shoes/looking down my nose 'cause I don't do that stuff dinosaur days where I ostentatiously passed to the next person in the circle, it never dawned on me that if the place was busted I would have been as well, just because I was there ("But officer, I didn't use it" would have gone over like a lead balloon)--and of course we now know a lot more about secondary exposure, so though I could say "I did not inhale" I probably benefited from the exhales of those in the circle who did inhale.  :D  ). 

Nowadays, I think about  finding a good bakery the next time I'm in Colorado, with a variety of brownies to take to a nice boondocking spot, where I might waste a few days that I didn't when I was a young dinosaur.  ;D  But "eternabong" is good for today's giggle.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond and Polyurethane
Reply #17 –
No discussion of "eternabong" would be complete without Cheech and Chong. Warning: some offensive language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWxgfTMLtc0
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond and Polyurethane
Reply #18 –
Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood  - 

Late to the party...I totally spaced the title 'til reading this post, but Chris had fixed it by then--still, I find myself giggling (perhaps a result of a secondary exposure experience??), as I read "...can't can't wrap my head around what an "eternabong" might be like, and i keep cracking up...."   

Back in my straight-laced/Goody 2-Shoes/looking down my nose 'cause I don't do that stuff dinosaur days where I ostentatiously passed to the next person in the circle, it never dawned on me that if the place was busted I would have been as well, just because I was there ("But officer, I didn't use it" would have gone over like a lead balloon)--and of course we now know a lot more about secondary exposure, so though I could say "I did not inhale" I probably benefited from the exhales of those in the circle who did inhale.  :D  ). 

Nowadays, I think about  finding a good bakery the next time I'm in Colorado, with a variety of brownies to take to a nice boondocking spot, where I might waste a few days that I didn't when I was a young dinosaur.  ;D  But "eternabong" is good for today's giggle.

Lynne
OK, new thread title, thus preserving originality.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond (aka Eternabong) & Polyurethane
Reply #20 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
OK, new thread title, thus preserving originality.

Chris
ser·en·dip·i·ty
ˌnoun:  the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
1754; Serendip + -ity; Horace Walpole so named a faculty possessed by the heroes of a fairy tale called The Three Princes of Serendip
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond & Polyurethane
Reply #21 –
I don’t even look at this thread anymore.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond & Polyurethane
Reply #22 –
Quote from: paul banbury  - 
I don’t even look at this thread anymore.

I do...whether it's for information or another giggle.

RE: the info angle--LDy Lulubelle was 8 when I bought her & had lived outside in SoCal.  Her previous family had applied Eternabond.  l've got lots yet to learn, but awareness of potential leaks has made me particularly anxious about the roof, because I don't have the experience to judge what's there.  I appreciated Lauralee putting eyeballs on it & sending Larry Wade pictures at the Ladeze gathering in 2016; couple that with this discussion, and especially Larry & Joan's thoughts on longevity, and I feel much more confident.  Plus, she lives inside when not is use, which I hope improves those odds.

Joan, I also appreciate you sharing the age at which you accomplished the task; that also give me confidence that should I need to tackle this in the next eight years, if I'm able to climb on/off the tractor & climb a ladder, resealing the roof would likely not be a task beyond me because of age.

...and there's still the giggle factor to be enjoyed on this thread.   :D

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond & Polyurethane
Reply #23 –
I have a set, actually 2 sets, of these and plan to use it when I reseal my roof.  I don't have real positive experiences on ladders.
Heavy Duty Portable Scaffold
2004 26.5 MB
Enjoying retirement traveling, Rzr riding, photography, and of course the 2 grand girls!
Re: My experience with roof repairs with Eternabond & Polyurethane
Reply #24 –
Quote from: folivier  - 
I have a set, actually 2 sets, of these and plan to use it when I reseal my roof.  I don't have real positive experiences on ladders.
Heavy Duty Portable Scaffold

Thx, foliver--something to keep in mind for when I think it's time for the task. 

RE: "...don't have real positive experiences on ladders."  Indeed--though I've been OK when I've climbed up on LDy Lulubelle's flat roof, I am in a continuous state of prayer when I climb the ladder to do the Gutter Marathon (climb up/blow/climb down/move three feet/repeat steps 1-4 around the perimeter of the house/thank God & experience great relief when I finally put the ladder away).

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm