Eternabond or stick with the Camco putty tape for Fantastic Fan install???

[One Awesome Inch]

Tomorrow I am going to cut a hole in the roof of my van and install a Fantastic Fan. I have the cheap Camco putty tape (with screws) that is supposed to be designed for roof vents. However, I have read in another thread that the cheaper putty tape only lasts about 10 years. I also have a roll of Eternabond roof seal tape.

Should I use the Eternabond or stick with the Camco putty tape?

 

[Almost There]

Tomorrow I am going to cut a hole in the roof of my van and install a Fantastic Fan. I have the cheap Camco putty tape (with screws) that is supposed to be designed for roof vents. However, I have read in another thread that the cheaper putty tape only lasts about 10 years. I also have a roll of Eternabond roof seal tape.

Should I use the Eternabond or stick with the Camco putty tape?

Well, 10 years is about life expectancy for a roof vent anyways IMO, the plastic suffers from UV exposure and gets brittle.

If you figure on keeping the van for more than 10 years and want to made sure you're using the good stuff then go to a marine supply shop and get the good butyl tape.

The way to tell the difference is by colour - the 10 year stuff is gray, the good stuff is beige.

I've never used Eternabond but from what I've learned it's great for sealing RV roofs from leaks but it's never meant to come off. If you used it to install a roof vent and then wanted to change out the vent for any reason it's my understanding that you'd have an almost impossible task.

 

[05kas05]

when i installed my fantastic vent i used the beige camco tape then after i screwed everything down i went around the edge and over the screws with dicor self leveling sealant for metal roofs. i have had no problems with it so far but it has only been about a year and a half since it was installed.

 

[highdesertranger]

almostthere, is right the life span of the plastic if you are lucky will make it 10 years. so go from there. after all if you are going to replace it in 10 years you want to make it easy. of course if you have a newer vehicle you have to ask if it will last the 10 years. highdesertranger

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

when i installed my fantastic vent i used the beige camco tape then after i screwed everything down i went around the edge and over the screws with dicor self leveling sealant for metal roofs. i have had no problems with it so far but it has only been about a year and a half since it was installed.

+1  Putty and self leveling caulk.  Newer outdoor plastic 'should' have UV inhibitors in it or on its surface.  Let you know in 8 years.

 -- Spiff

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If you go for one of those vent covers, you'll not only be able to open it in the rain, it will also protect the vent from the uv so it lasts a lot longer.

Regards
John

 

[akrvbob]

Agreed, the putty, then the Dicor, then the vent cover. It'll out last you!
Bob

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Dont want to do the vent cover... but good idea for others.

Initially, I was mistaken. I was unaware as to the characteristics of the Eternabond. Its a tape, not a putty so it will not work between the van's roof and the vent housing. However, after more research, I found some info about a guy who used Eternabond to go the extra distance to seal up his Fantastic Fan installation.

This is what he did... and I am going to do the same. With all the rainfall my area gets I want to go overkill. As to the thing with the Fantastic Fan plastic only lasting 10 years, my son will be 20 in ten years so my child support payments will end for him and I'll just have my daughter to pay for. This means I may change things up and buy a travel trailer to live in... or perhaps upgrade to a Class B or something. At any rate, 10 years is a long time.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Okay, my Fantastic Fan is installed. It took pretty much most of the day.

I used the Eternabond and went over all the edges and seams with Dicor Lap Sealent.

...And yes, I did step in It.  :s

I won't tell anyone if you don't.

Tomorrow I'll be putting up a 17 minute youtube video of the process. Fascinating. 

 

[akrvbob]

Great job! Double safe is better than single, and triple safe is better than double!
Bob

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Thanks Bob! It rains here so much I was quite hesitant to put the fan in. However, I decided to go for it and just do an overkill job to prevent leaks. Even with out the fan on, the van is noticeably cooler inside.

 

[akrvbob]

Vents are a huge help! Being in a rainy area though, wouldn't you rather have a cover so you can have it open in the rain? I always have covers on mine, but then I don't have to worry about stealth.
Bob

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I'll see how it goes once the rain starts in late October. If I deem absolutely necessary I will put on the vent cover.