Slide Skylight roof tape

I have two skylights on my slide. On one of them the perimeter seal tape is peeling off. I went to the local dealer to get some thinking it would be about $20 for a roll. Well it was $90 for a small roll. I think it was gold reinforced at that price. It was $3.79/ft for bulk pricing.

I searched Camping World and found this for a lot less:

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/kool-patch-patching-tape-white/7547

I figure I can reseal the 18-20 lineal feet for $20 as planned.

Any one have experience with this product before I order a few rolls?

Jetskier

Looks like you might be heading towards the same problem i had last weekend with the skylights leaking. I to looked at Eterna Bond tape but was shocked at how expensive it was. I'm hoping you found a good alternetive but there must be a catch, sounds to good to be true. I guess the big question would be, will it hold up to being scraped by the rubber seal when putting the slide in and out.

I wonder if it's worth a call to the Oregon Plant to see what they used?

That's funny the topic has came up. Just started to leak while we were away. Was going to repair it this weekend. Let me know what FR has to say about Camping World's product.

Here is what i got back from Forest River today.

"Okay it is aluminum framing and Styrofoam insulation that is why we recommend that you do not stand on your slide out roof.

So the repair you need to have done is you need to take it in to have the skylight resealed which is a maintenance issue. Request that they use 4 inch tape, we have switched to that and it seems to last longer. "

Beverly R. Scott
Warranty Asst.
Forest River Inc.
Phone # 503-831-5413
Fax # 503-831-5997

I currently have 3 inch tape sealing mine. At least with the aluminum frame and rigid foam there is less chance for water damage. I also found that on each end of the slide where the slide seal meets the roof the seal had seperated. Perhaps water was getting in there and running down the foam or aluminum frame and coming out the skylight. I will look for the 4 inch tape this weekend but i'm still hoping that Jetskier is on to a cheaper alternetive.

Weird, it doesn't feel like rigid foam. If you tap on it with your fist, it's seems like a thin sheet of plywood. I'm going to order a few rolls of this cheap stuff. The hardest part is getting the roof cleanup of the old debris.

We want to go out in a few weeks so I have to get on it. I fixed the toilet and cleaned up the WC today. Just a few more minor repairs and summerization. After all that, we will be on our first trip of the year.

Jetskier

I went down to Camping World today and looked at that stuff you are going to order. It is almost like a putty tape, sort of like that grey putty they use as a gasket when they install hatch door and stuff like that. I don't think it will hold up to being scraped by the black rubber piece when the slide is put in and out. The only other things they had were 4 inch Eternabond (37 foot roll) or 4 inch Dicor (50 foot Roll) both $90 - OUCH !!!

I used self leveling lap sealent and patched the 2 spots that had come loose along each end of the slide seal and it seems to have fixed my problem for now. This may or may not be of use to you.

That's what's up there now. It's the grey putty with a thin layer of plastic that shredding away. I may have to bite the bullet and get the $90 stuff at my local RV dealer.

I just got an email back from Bev this morning.

"The tape needed is 4 inch sealant tape. Camping World should know what would work also make sure to clean all the sealant around the skylight and then reseal your skylight with dicor sealant before laying the tape down."

I think we're screwed. :pale:

I had the same addition from her when i got home today. I think it was because when i replied to her last email i told her that i was going to do it myself. She must be feeling a little daja vu about right now. I think i will ask her if she has a brand name for the tape, maybe that will give us a better idea of what to use.

"A repair facility should have it or at least be able to retrieve it. Make sure to clean the sealant off real good and reseal the skylight with dicor sealant and then use the tape."

Beverly R. Scott
Warranty Asst.
Forest River Inc.
Phone # 503-831-5413
Fax # 503-831-5997

For fun you should ask her if FR should pay for it under the 12yr rubber roof warranty. That will get her going. I asked earlier and here's the reply.

"The sealant tape has nothing to do with your rubber roof and I am sorry but no this isn't warranty. On page 76 of your owners manual give you really good time line care instructions. Since this is a recreational vehicle it is subject to different weather elements that stationary homes are not one of course being travel. The all your seals need to be maintained. I am sure you will find the information on page 76 very useful.

Thank you and have a great day. I hope I have answered your questions if you have anymore don't hesitate to email or call me."

I emailed her and asked if they were also using the Dicor Lap Sealant under the tape and what kind of tape they were using.

Here is the response:

"We do both, we seal in the skylight with dico sealant and then seal the outside with the Eternabond tape 4 inches wide. That is all I know, the dicor sealant is used where the screws are to seal those in."

I also agree that there is plywood or something like that on the slide roof. I'm just glad it also has rigid foam instead of fiberglass insulation, less chance of water damage.

Guys, sorry to hear about your issues with the slide sky lights. This just gives me more reason to not buy my next WC with sky lights on the slide.

I would not get them again mainly because of the heat. I'm going to spray paint the plastic cover white to cut back the light. It's pretty intense in the summer even with the shad drawn..

The Nevada desert hasn't help the tape at all.

THis may not be the best solution and I'm sure you have thought about it but what about putting a slide awning on. It would help keep the heat out and the rain also.

I know you wouldn't be able to see the sky but so what. The awning would still let light through.

Yeah, I considered an awning. There is no view out these skylights. They have opaque plastic for light only.

Let's start over, the skylights in the slide are great. (maybe not in Nevada) but here in the northern hemisphere.I believe it's a poor design trying to put a seal on these windows when they are constantly being in contact with the rubber main seal each time they are brought in or out.Maybe a flush/sealed design for the future? After replacing my seal at $40.00 for one window, I hope this lasts longer than two years!!! Just abit disappointed

Update....I scraped a lot of the old tape and goo off the skylights. I still have to work at getting the goo off the rubber roof. I used a chisel to scrap the skylight itself. After looking at it, why use tape at all? Why not use the rubber roof patch that you can dump on the roof. this way you can touch up and not have to worry about fixing it every couple years. Not to mention the patch is cheap and very flexible and should slide under the seal just fine. Just need to make sure it is dried and cured before pulling it through the slide seal. Any thoughts?

After looking at it, why use tape at all? Why not use the rubber roof patch that you can dump on the roof. this way you can touch up and not have to worry about fixing it every couple years.

I agree Jetskier, are you taliking about using the Dicor lap sealant or something else ?

Also, since you have already pulled your tape off, just what does the skylight consist of ? Looks like it is just a slightly domed piece of plastic screwed to the roof.

I worked for at least an hour and a half scrapping the goo off. My wrist is sore. The chisel works great, but use it nearly parallel to the roof deck. It doesn't seem to puncture the membrane.

I used the Plas-T-Cote Rubber roof coating (green can). It went on great, but a little thin. I need to let it setup and apply another coat in the few days. It also gave me an opportunity to check and recoat the other penetrations on the roof for the season. I have pictures before and after I applied the new coating. I didn't bother taking a picture of the failed tape sealant.

And yes, the skylight is almost flat, but is slighty domed plastic screwed around the perimeter. There is plywood. I penetrated the membrane in a spot and it was wood. I sat on the slide out and didn't fall through. All 230lbf of me.

Before I resealed...I used Bleche White to clean the rubber. You can see how bright white the roof is around the skylight... Also notice the nice yellow color of the plastic.



After sealing with the Plas-t-cote brush-on sealant. I got a little out of control in some areas.




I ran the slide in-and-out a few times last night and it did not harm the sealant. I'm going to reapply another coat in the near future. The cost of a quart of the sealant was less than $20.

Looks like you may have an inexpensive alternative solution to this problem, good job!

I do have a question about using the Bleach White. Did you use it only on the slide top or the rubber roof? If you used it on the roof, did you come back and put some sort of treatment on the rubber?

Thanks...

I only used it where I was applying the new patch for better adhesion. I've had the patch peel away because of the surface wasn't clean enough.

I've used it on my front fiberglass cap when yellow stains appeared that nothing would take off. Bleche White reacted with the stain and I wiped it clean. It actually bubbled and fizzed! It took a few applications, but it is white again. I applied a couple coats of wax to protect the gel coat.

I'd probably get some UV protectant if you used it on the rubber roof as a whole. I don't think I'd use it for a cleaner. They have other safer products.

Always use caution with this stuff. It is caustic. You're supposed to wear gloves and full hazmat gear when you use this stuff. It also reacts with Aluminum.

I use the stuff to clean my tires, it does its job well. I was curious if you had used in on your rubber roof. I would think it is to caustic for that application.

I typically wash my camper using my pressure washer. It has a nylon bristle brush attachment that picks up soap and mixes with the water. It does a really good job, except this last time the roof didn't come quite as clean. I will try it again in the next few weeks to see if I can get it cleaner. If not I'll have to try some rubber roof cleaner.

Thanks for the feedback!

Jetskier

Are you still happy with the repair that you did ? Does it still look like it will hold up ok ?

There is a store going out of business here and they have this stuff,
http://www.cofair.com/rubberroof.aspx
It's only 30% off right now so i will wait until it is even cheaper then buy a couple of rolls. It comes in 6 inch x 16 foot rolls so I figure that I can cut it down to 3 inches wide and get 32 feet. Cheaper than eternabond !

MaxRock wrote:
I typically wash my camper using my pressure washer. It has a nylon bristle brush attachment that picks up soap and mixes with the water. It does a really good job, except this last time the roof didn't come quite as clean. I will try it again in the next few weeks to see if I can get it cleaner. If not I'll have to try some rubber roof cleaner.

Thanks for the feedback!

Mark,

Try using some Spic & Span. I used it last year and my roof came out pretty clean. Before I started, I had black spots, almost like mold on top, the Spic & Span turned them grey, so I went back over it with Soft Scrub. Didn't do much more that the Spic & Span did.

On RV.NET, most folks recommend Spic & Span in the powder form, which is hard to find. I did find it in a Omish Store in Lancaster, PA.

jacandjan wrote:Jetskier

Are you still happy with the repair that you did ? Does it still look like it will hold up ok ?

Yeah, it looks like it's a safe way to go. The tape will fail again. I don't think it's designed for outdoor use. With the paint-on repair, I can touch up like I do for the rest of the roof. The slide seal doesn't seem to rub or want to grab at the paint. It's lays down flatter than the tape.