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Roof material
Hi everyone. I have done research in the archives, using various different ways to ask what is the material used on the roofs of the LDs? Ours is so goobered up that we can’t see what it is. It is a 1998 26 with the sofas in the back and a mid bath. We have a leak and have found someone to repair it, but we do not know what is under the goober. Which we plan on removing to fix the leak. Thanks!
Marilyn
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Roof material
Reply #1
Goober-covered or not, your LD's roof is aluminum. Be sure to read the Companion (link on the home page of the LDO board) articles on roof sealing, Eternabond, etc., for information on how to seal the roof and which materials are best to do the job. Doing a board search will bring up dozens of posts on this topic; use the 'Community' tab, click 'Search', put in the search parameters.

Careful and thorough de-goobering of the surfaces to be sealed is critical to the success and longevity of the process. 
2003 TK has a new home

Re: Roof material
Reply #2
Aircraft grade aluminum
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.

Re: Roof material
Reply #3
Your '98 is a one-piece aluminum roof.

De-goobering.  Is that a technical term?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Roof material
Reply #4
Thanks, I assumed it was. Thanks for the links too.  Any helpful hints of the easiest way to get the old globby sealant off? Someone mentioned using a heat gun? To soften and scrape it off? Thanks again!! I have eternbond tape, and two kinds of sealant one penetrating, and one regular caulk. And for the paint on top,  hypalon paint.
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Roof material
Reply #5
Good chance that a 31 year old LD has had more than one roof resealing and who knows what was used and how it was done.
Can you post a few photos of what you see on your roof, without more information we are guessing what the situation is and how to solve it.

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: Roof material
Reply #6
I will later. It is not accessible right now. Thanks. 
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Roof material
Reply #7

"Any helpful hints of the easiest way to get the old globby sealant off?"

Your best bet is an oscillating tool (Fein Multimaster or equivalent) and a flexible scraper blade. This is the least labor-intensive method I know of.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Roof material
Reply #8
"Any helpful hints of the easiest way to get the old globby sealant off?"

Your best bet is an oscillating tool This is the least labor-intensive method I know of.

Absolutely, there is no faster way of removing old sealant.
I'm interested in what the roof was sealed with. It silicone was used, all the old sealant must come off and the surface sanded down to bare metal.
Once a metal surface has been exposed to silicone sealant, it's poisoned and nothing will stick to it until totally cleaned.
I'm waiting on some photos to see what has previously been done.

The Companion has a page on roof resealing.
The Lazy Daze Companion: roof sealing

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: Roof material
Reply #9
It seems to not be silicone thank goodness. It looks like roofing cement. I used similar stuff  on the roof of a porch. It is thick and comes in a bucket. In white...  how about a heat gun and stiff scraper?
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Roof material
Reply #10
Andy Baird's suggested oscillating tool may seem a bit pricey.  But, it's a one-time cost and will last as long as  a Lazydaze.
I've had a cheapie Harbor Freight version and when it dies, I'll replace it with Andy's version.  You'll probably find many uses for it.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE

Re: Roof material
Reply #11
It seems to not be silicone thank goodness. It looks like roofing cement. I used similar stuff  on the roof of a porch. It is thick and comes in a bucket. In white...  how about a heat gun and stiff scraper?

Give it a try but if it is polyurethane or similar, the oscillating tool is the way to go.
I would never use a sealant that comes in a bucket on any LD.
Stick with polyurethane or Eternabond Tape for roof seams and either poly or Dicor for the vents and antennas.

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: Roof material
Reply #12
Hi  Kamani74;       The stuff that comes in a bucket is probably 'Koolseal' or something like it. An acrylic or Alkyld paint with fiber thickener. It may come off with mineral spirits. Don't use paint stripper, the Methylene stuff is too dangerous. The vapors can be toxic quickly.
   If the whole roof is coated, and in good condition, it might just be easier to leave that coat on, since it is already there. The leak is the pressing concern. I would, for now,  try to locate the roof leak, and fix that.  Heat gun and scraper are worth a try.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Roof material
Reply #13
This is another good example of investing in the Ryobi 18v + system. As mentioned in another article their air compressor for inflating tires is great. Their oscillating tool is great as well and not expensive. The 18v batteries are compatible will like 40-50 of the Ryobi tools. Very affordable and I’ve racked up quite a collection.
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.

Re: Roof material
Reply #14
I too am a fan of the Ryobi One+ 18V system... with two exceptions. Their powered caulking gun broke after the second tube of sealant I used it with, and their oscillating tool just didn't seem to cut very well. There was nothing obviously wrong with it, and it went through the motions (so to speak), but no matter which blades I used, it had a great deal of difficulty cutting through even half inch plywood, let alone anything thicker.

I ended up giving it away and buying a Fein Multimaster, which made the same types of cuts with ease. It's too bad, because I'd much rather use a cordless tool than have to fire up an inverter and use a corded tool that draws 900 watts. All my other Ryobi tools work great. Looking at reviews of the Ryobi oscillating tool on Amazon, I see a number of complaints about it being underpowered or stripping its gears... but also a lot of favorable reviews. Not sure what to think.

What I can say is that the Fein tool, while not cheap, is really solid and really powerful. It's obviously a pro-grade tool. It's heavy, but that actually makes it easier to control. I use it way more often than I ever imagined. For example, in my current tiny trailer restoration, it easily handles plunge cuts in 3/16" fiberglass. Making a rectangular cutout for an outlet box is easy. So are flush cuts, and cuts in confined spaces, that would be difficult or impossible with a saber saw. Its one limitation is that it won't cut curves. But overall, this is a tool I wish I'd had had many years ago. I only wish Ryobi's version had worked for me.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Roof material
Reply #15
I too am a fan of the Ryobi One+ 18V system... with two exceptions. Their powered caulking gun broke after the second tube of sealant I used it with, and their oscillating tool just didn't seem to cut very well. There was nothing obviously wrong with it, and it went through the motions (so to speak), but no matter which blades I used, it had a great deal of difficulty cutting through even half inch plywood, let alone anything thicker.

I ended up giving it away and buying a Fein Multimaster, which made the same types of cuts with ease. It's too bad, because I'd much rather use a cordless tool than have to fire up an inverter and use a corded tool that draws 900 watts. All my other Ryobi tools work great. Looking at reviews of the Ryobi oscillating tool on Amazon, I see a number of complaints about it being underpowered or stripping its gears... but also a lot of favorable reviews. Not sure what to think.

What I can say is that the Fein tool, while not cheap, is really solid and really powerful. It's obviously a pro-grade tool. It's heavy, but that actually makes it easier to control. I use it way more often than I ever imagined. For example, in my current tiny trailer restoration, it easily handles plunge cuts in 3/16" fiberglass. Making a rectangular cutout for an outlet box is easy. So are flush cuts, and cuts in confined spaces, that would be difficult or impossible with a saber saw. Its one limitation is that it won't cut curves. But overall, this is a tool I wish I'd had had many years ago. I only wish Ryobi's version had worked for me.

I just bought my son a combo M12 Milwaukee set which includes an oscillating tool for Christmas. I'm curious to try it out. I haven't had any issues with the tool. I cut out some drywall and cut through some OSB on my garage to install an exterior outlet. Have not personally tried it to peel up old adhesive though. I'm going to check out the Fein. Thanks for the heads up.
Joe B.
2008 26ft  grey/white Rear Bath
Family of 5 hitting the open road as much as we can.

Re: Roof material
Reply #16
Just to be clear, I'm not saying Fein is the only way to go. There are probably other oscillating tools that work well. But I only have experience with Ryobi's and Fein's oscillating fools, and of the two, the Fein was the clear winner in both build quality and performance. There may be others just as good, for all I know.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Roof material
Reply #17
Just to be clear, I'm not saying Fein is the only way to go. There are probably other oscillating tools that work well. But I only have experience with Ryobi's and Fein's oscillating fools, and of the two, the Fein was the clear winner in both build quality and performance. There may be others just as good, for all I know.

Fein was the originator of the oscillating tool and held the patent for along time. They produce expensive, professional-grade, german tools. 
When Fein's paint ran out about 15 years ago, other manufacturers started building them. I bought an early Dremel oscillating tool to strip a LD's roof and had to take it back, being underpowered and becoming too hot to hold after few minutes of use.
Oscillating tools are hard working machines and use a lot of power, one of the few tools where 120-volt power is preferable to battery power, especially is it will be used for bigger jobs. Stripping a roof definitely qualifies as a big job.
For regular, everyday use, a battery tool is more convenient, I would prefer to own both types.

I bought a powerful Rockwell tool and it has stripped many LD roofs plus has been used for all sorts of cutting needs.
It's one of those tools where you can end up with a hundred dollars worth of a various attachments, such as sharp chisel blades, wood blades, metal blades ceramic blades, grout cutters and sanders.
If you are a builder or remodeler, you need one of these, they are super handy once you realize the range of work they can do.

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: Roof material
Reply #18
Like Larry, I also bought the Rockwell oscillating tool and can second his recommendation. After Fein's patent expired, the prices on this kind of tool dropped sharply.

I have not tried a battery powered one yet. But if I was to buy one, I think I would go for the Dewalt XR lithium battery powered one which would use the same batteries as my other Dewalt tools. Hey Santa, add that to my list :D

Steve K
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath

Re: Roof material
Reply #19

DeWalt builds good tools. I have their 48V battery powered table saw, and it works well. I could use its 20V/60V batteries with their MAX XR oscillating tool... hmmm...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Roof material
Reply #20
Hi again, An update to the roof leak. We had the Satellite tv dish removed, and lo an behold under it was  a hole in the roof. Also the screw holes were not sealed properly. So all the old coating was scraped off and everything properly caulked and sealed. So no more leaking. Thank goodness. And good riddance to the sat dish too. But what I thought was a goober mess around the fantastic fan area turned out to be a previous owners so called fix. They used liquid nails! A whole glob of it next to the fan inset. Needless to say that will not come off.  There is no leak or problem in that area right now, so we are leaving that project for a future job. Unbelievable that someone used a glue to patch with! It takes the cake.
Thanks for your advice.
1998 26.5 Mid Bath

Re: Roof material
Reply #21
I'd kind of like to see this roof, sounds like a challenge.

Jon
1994 MB

 
Re: Roof material
Reply #22
"We had the Satellite tv dish removed, and lo and behold under it was  a hole in the roof."

I had that exact situation! My son had been wanting to remove the dish (it didn't work), so when water was dripping from a blank outlet cover in the ceiling below where the dish was, he took the dish off and there was a hole in the roof! There was some very wet cardboard covering the hole. Whoever thought cardboard would keep water out?!

He fixed the hole -- probably not to the professional level -- but it doesn't leak.
Judy Dewey
2003 26' RK