Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Removing vertical sealant

April 06, 2023, 01:36:39 am

Looking at the sealing around my end caps, I can tell that I need to strip the old sealant and apply new. I started to try and strip away the old sealant but it was very difficult to make any progress. I have arthritis in my hands and don't have a lot of strength or endurance for this job. I've searched the forums and have found some posts about doing this job  that were helpful, but I'm wondering if anyone has found a quick way to get the old sealant out. I have an oscillating tool, but it seems like using it would probably damage the painted surface. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Re: Removing vertical sealant

Reply #2 – June 05, 2023, 09:47:17 pm

I would get a thin blade Olfa knife, the ones with the break off blades.

Cut along one edge of the old sealant very slow, then cut the opposite side and the sealant should “mostly” come out as 1 piece.

If your blade gets dull just snap it off and you have a fresh edge, a sharp olfa blade will cut through sealant easily.

In regards to arthritis, olfa makes larger versions that would likely be more comfortable to work with and give you the same result

Re: Removing vertical sealant

Reply #4 – June 05, 2023, 09:54:55 pm

Pics of the seams would be good!?

My end caps had zero sealant, just very thin vhb tape holding the caps in place, the seam was filled with paint which cracks over the years from the coach flexing.

Now that I have removed and reinstalled caps there is an obvious line of sealant down the edge that “could” be cut away and redone.

If I had original never resealed end caps I would maybe use a metal pick or compressed and to dig out debri from the seam and then lay a bead of sealant down the side (with tape along the edges)

Re: Removing vertical sealant

Reply #6 – June 06, 2023, 07:42:11 pm

No, but the end caps are affixed with the adhesive tape and from what I could tell very little adhesive was used to hold the caps in place, the caps are very thin and the joint between the cap and body was essentially just sealed by the paint job.

Due to the relatively small profile of the end cap there is not much of a cap to apply sealant to begin with unless the cap is pulled away from the body and sealant forced under the end cap.