Eternabond tape

[backtrack]

Eternabond tape; if used on the roof center to seal will you break the seal when you replace and screw down the center molding, thus putting holes in the Eternabond tape?

[mike4947]

You put the Eternabond OVER everything. We prfer using the 4 inch width in that case so it will be sure to bond to both sides of the roof.

[fleagalbaum]

You put the Eternabond OVER everything. We prfer using the 4 inch width in that case so it will be sure to bond to both sides of the roof.

I like the idea of using this stuff to seal the roof, but how easy does it come off if I need to repair the roof and remove the molding to access some screws?  Can you use a heat gun?

[mike4947]

The idea is you don't have to repair the roof. 99% of roof repairs are due to water leaks. The Eternabond tape removes the possibility of having a leak and so you don't need to access the screws for as long as you'll own the trailer. It's considered permanent and comes with a 15 year warranty.
We have RV's that required caulking sometimes twice a year and we couldn't find any caulks that would last. Used Eternabond and we haven't had a leak problem on any of the units from PU's to expensive motor coaches we've replaced caulk with Eternabond.
The only time we even consider caulk is if the area is so convoluted that we couldn't get the Eternabond to contour to the surface.

[Russinator]

This tape sounds to good to be true.

Where can I buy some?

Russ

[austinado16]

This tape sounds to good to be true.

Where can I buy some?

Russ

I bought mine from an RV supply store locally.  

I put mine down onto the roof, right down the middle seam (which had leaked and destroyed my roof inside) and then put my center trim down on top of it with new stainless crews and new vinyl moulding in the channel over the screws.

I don't think this compromised the tape at all since it has sort of "gasketed" itself against both the screws and the metal trim, and on the bottom side, it is glue down.

When I was done, I painted the whole roof, so you can't tell the tape is there unless you're face to face with it.

[Russinator]

First thing in the morning I'm off to the RV store to get some eternabond tape.

It sounds like a great product.

Russ

[suburbpete]

I bought mine from an RV supply store locally.  

I put mine down onto the roof, right down the middle seam (which had leaked and destroyed my roof inside) and then put my center trim down on top of it with new stainless crews and new vinyl moulding in the channel over the screws.

I don't think this compromised the tape at all since it has sort of "gasketed" itself against both the screws and the metal trim, and on the bottom side, it is glue down.

When I was done, I painted the whole roof, so you can't tell the tape is there unless you're face to face with it.

How about going right over top of everything(seam. trim and vinyl cover)?

[backtrack]

How about going right over top of everything(seam. trim and vinyl cover)?

I am just not sure I could do that and make it look good, I think it would leave wrinkles especially where the roof curves down in the front and back.
I just bought this Trailer and as it is right now it has not ever had leaks as there are no signs of water damage. Right now it seems to have been sealed with Putty tape and it had developed the infamous dirt black lines where the putty has settled out side the seams. So I want to clean it up and don't want it to look bad.
Can anyone send picture of a trailer where they have used Eternabond tape over the top of everything?

Thanks
Backtrack

[backtrack]

I bought mine from an RV supply store locally.  

I put mine down onto the roof, right down the middle seam (which had leaked and destroyed my roof inside) and then put my center trim down on top of it with new stainless crews and new vinyl moulding in the channel over the screws.

I don't think this compromised the tape at all since it has sort of "gasketed" itself against both the screws and the metal trim, and on the bottom side, it is glue down.

When I was done, I painted the whole roof, so you can't tell the tape is there unless you're face to face with it.

austinado16
Took me a bit but i finlly got what you meant by " sort of "gasketed" itself against both the screws and the metal trim "
sounds logical enough.

[austinado16]

How about going right over top of everything(seam. trim and vinyl cover)?

I wanted the finished look to be as unmolested looking as possible, plus, I wanted the tape directly onto my seam.  My seam was really bad.  Bad as in, sections of aluminum just rotted completely away, so I was looking for maximum surface area contact by the tape (I'd already cut the roof open and replaced the rotted plywood in the sides and front, and the rotted 1x1 stringer that goes down the middle under the seam).

I also bedded the metal trim in the self leveling roof caulk, so the repair is really about as good as it's gonna get.

If you have no leaks, and are just trying to hide the look of the puddy tape where it's getting dark, I'd suggest buying a tube of the self leveling caulk and running a nice bead along both side of the metal trim.  No sense in tearing the trim off if you don't have a problem.  Less is definately more some times!

Here's a shot of the roof repair up close, before I installed the new vinyl center trim strip and then painted.  Note the wrinkles in the tape.  These are because I didn't pull it tight enough to get a good smooth-out on it as I applied it.  I did a much better job on the top of the roof.

[austinado16]

austinado16
Took me a bit but i finlly got what you meant by " sort of "gasketed" itself against both the screws and the metal trim "
sounds logical enough.

Here's a shot all finished and painted.  Of course it's not this great in person, but it's pretty nice.

[backtrack]

Here's a shot all finished and painted.  Of course it's not this great in person, but it's pretty nice.

Looks great to me!

And thanks for the suggestions at least I have more options to think about.
The dark (Dirty) Putty lines are an eye sore, but the other reason I was looking to do it was because the manual suggested replacing the cap seal twice a year and i am almost sure the putty is the original seal.
Is the putty not the cap seal they are talking about I wonder?
It seams like the putty is still Pliable.
The side trim putty looks like it has curled, but again still pliable.
 
Backtrack

[austinado16]

Looks great to me!

And thanks for the suggestions at least I have more options to think about.
The dark (Dirty) Putty lines are an eye sore, but the other reason I was looking to do it was because the manual suggested replacing the cap seal twice a year and i am almost sure the putty is the original seal.
Is the putty not the cap seal they are talking about I wonder?
It seams like the putty is still Pliable.
The side trim putty looks like it has curled, but again still pliable.
 
Backtrack

Don't know what a cap seal would be.

[roanoke91]

I used Eternabond when I rebuilt my roof last year. I used it on the center seam, under the corner caps and underneath all exterior fittings like water inlet, electrical inlets, etc. It works great and is an awesome product. It is a little sticky to work with but "hey" thats why it's so good. I also used it under my center seam moulding. When you screw through it the tape will wrap itself around the screw threads and make a water tite seal. I also used it under my corner caps. I truly believe I could have just used the tape and eliminated the screws and caulk but decided to add these for added protection. I used the double sided 1" wide type on all these applications. I highly recommend this tape.
Here is there web site, which by the way, you can order from.
//www.eternabond.com