Eternabond tape

[btot6]

Getting my PUP, a 2001 Jayco 14SO, ready for the season.  I observed a small leak in the center seam of the roof after a hard rain today.  Was looking for feedback from anyone who has used Eternabond tape, and any tips on how to install it.

[mike4947]

First make sure ALL the moisture is out of the roof. Not because it will effect the Eternabond but rather it will stay in there and cause more and more damage as time goes on.
As for the Eternabond, make sure the surface is CLEAN and that if there is any Silcone caulk, you use a width of the Eternabond that will gaurantee to hit the roof beyond the caulk on both sides.
Then relax knowing you've got at least 15 years before you need to look at that seam again.

[austinado16]

If you look at my recent threads on repairing the roof in my Starcraft Nova, you'll see what happens when these roof seams are left to decay.  I also used the tape.

One suggestion is to snap a chalk line where you want one edge of the tape to line up.  That'll keep the tape straight and make your repair look tidy.  While installing mine, I kept the white film that covers the sticky side attached as much as possible and pulled the tape taut with one had, while smoothing and pressing it down with the other.  That helped keep me from getting bubbles and wrinkles in the finish.

[dras]

Having just sealed my roof center seam with the 4" Eternabond tape, I can offer these tips: As austinado16 said, I drew a line on my roof where I wanted one edge of the tape to line up. This helped a LOT, and I could not have gotten it anywhere close to straight without it.

I also took a razor knife and trimmed down all the high spots in the old caulk before I put the tape on over it. I did not do this previously when I sealed across the back lower edge of the roof, and it looks pretty crappy with all the little bumps underneath it.

Take your time and peel the backing off the adhesive a few inches at a time, and seal it down as you go. This stuff sticks like there's no tomorrow, and it's easy to let it get out of hand if you're not REALLY careful.

If I had it to do over I would have taken a little more time and figured out how I was going to work the curved portions where it goes down over the front and back of the roof. I ended up with some "unpretty" wrinkles where I tried to cut it and get it to go around the curves. Apart from those small areas, it looks quite nice, although now my PUP looks like a skunk with a clean white stripe down the middle! I had thoroughly cleaned about a 6" swath down the center in preperation for the tape. Guess I'll have to clan the rest of the roof up now.

Incidently, I found out that rubbing alcohol will remove the paint from the aluminum if you scrub hard with it!

Good Luck,
Dave

[btot6]

Thanks for the input.  I got it in the mail today.  A 50ft. roll for $43 ($50 after shipping) from rvupgradestore.com., the best price I could find. Anybody have any ideas on how to keep it wrinkle free around the ends?

[haroldPE]

you must have purchased the 4" wide roll - I paid $31 (incl shipping) for 2"x50' roll from same place - seemed the best price.

Thanks for the input.  I got it in the mail today.  A 50ft. roll for $43 ($50 after shipping) from rvupgradestore.com., the best price I could find. Anybody have any ideas on how to keep it wrinkle free around the ends?

[austinado16]

Anybody have any ideas on how to keep it wrinkle free around the ends?

As stated above, only peel off a little backing at a time, get it started and then pull it tight with one hand while you're smoothing it down with other.  Smooth in the direction you're pulling so you don't get any wrinkles or air bubbles.