roof caulking and sealant

[Gary68]

looking for a good exterior caulking/sealant for around the vents and seams not named tar
dont want self leveling but standard caulking consistency

any first hand recommendations?

thanks,gary

 

[highdesertranger]

I like 3M 5200. highdesertranger

 

[ahh_me2]

I use Geocell RV sealant, either in a quart jar for brush on or in a caulking tube, it works in almost all temperatures and even on wet surfaces.

 

[BradKW]

You can't really go wrong with 5200...it's only drawback is price. Actually the price isn't that bad, what burns me is I have yet to find a way to preserve an opened tube for later use...no matter what extremes I've gone to, it hardens at both ends. Which leaves one additional usage by cutting the tube in half and scooping...

 

[Gary68]

looked up the 3m 5200 and it looks like the overkill i am looking for,thanks guys

 

[BradKW]

For roof or out-of-sight applications, a couple of those little 1" black plastic throw-away putty knives is a good bet for a little shaping and working it into contours. Try not to touch it with your fingers, have extra rags and a piece of something to set tools and gun down on. Have someone check on you later to make sure you haven't glued yourself to the roof

 

[highdesertranger]

when working with 5200 is one of the few times I wear disposable gloves. once the stuff sets it's permanent. or until your skin sheds. highdesertranger

 

[djkeev]

No product recommendations.......
But......

Run away from silicone products, they sound great, they entice you with great PR and promises but long term use almost always demonstrates the short comings of the product.

The horror is that after they fail and you remove the crap, they leave behind a silicone residue that prevents the better sealant products sticking as they should!

I HATE silicone!
And I have had the life experiences to develop this hatred......

Dave

 

[SternWake]

You can't really go wrong with 5200...it's only drawback is price. Actually the price isn't that bad, what burns me is I have yet to find a way to preserve an opened tube for later use...no matter what extremes I've gone to, it hardens at both ends. Which leaves one additional usage by cutting the tube in half and scooping...

I've kept an open tube in my fridge for many weeks taping over the open end and in a ziplock baggie.
 Do not quite remember if I had to scoop out the remainder though.

I've found its bond strength not to be as incredible as it is made out to be.  I've removed it with a razor blade and dental pick pretty easily.

I've had issues with cure time being very slow in dry conditions, even the faster version.

Someday I want to try some eternabond tape if the need arises.  Hope it does not.

 

[BradKW]

Hmm, didn't think about refrigerator or freezer, I'll try next time. I agree it's not the strongest, but for sealing roof fixtures, it's got a long track record staying sealed in harsh marine and uv conditions

 

[skyl4rk]

I would go with Dicor Sealant. 5200 is too permanent. Dicor is more flexible and will stay stuck when the roof and fittings expand and contract.

 

[bullfrog]

For new installations that will not be ever coming out Auto Metal Direct (866)591-8309 Ribbon Seal 3/8" x 15' AMD NO:384-1000-3 (GM windshield installation kit) will stay soft and sticky for years and will have to be cut with piano wire to get the part back out.