When i did handyman work in Kiwiland, I often had to fix wter leaks in roofs, joinery and bathrooms.
The lesson i learned was to think like water - I come out here, but where can I get in, which direction will I travel ( mot always downhill, think capillary action).
I've had a leak in a rear internal locker so I checked all external joints for seal integrity, and if in doubt re-sealed with Sika Pro ( in my opinion the only one to use, forget silicone)
Then I looked at the side & tail lights and wondered? So I removed them - and all trhe old silicone sealnt had completely broken down and all holes - screw, and wire, where available to water entry. I do not truts the rubber backing seals.,
so filled the holes and ran extra sealant around the edge of the holes.
Hopefully the next rain will tell if I got them all.
Colin Penrose said
02:21 PM Oct 9, 2017
Great thoughts mate and good advice. The only problem I see is when you need a tiny amount of sealant for a little job Sika becomes too expensive to throw the rest of the tube away. Col P
Dougwe said
03:43 PM Oct 9, 2017
I keep the used tube/s in the fridge Colin, seems to stay as good as new. I just used some sealer the other day after about 5 months and all good.
Trevor law said
04:29 PM Oct 9, 2017
If you put some cling wrap around the thread,put the nozzle back on it seals the tube. Just renew nozzle when required.
Trevor
Happyjack said
07:34 PM Oct 9, 2017
And make sure you get a few replacement nozzles when you buy a tube - they are a different size to other barnd tubes. God knows why they never give you more than one. It is rare for the whole nozzle to go solid, and down in to the tube. If it's only a short time between uses you can usually, using a very small screw driver or similar, start to pull out the cured sealant, more stretchy and better integrity than snot . Or you can even dig it out by removing the nozzle and doing it that way. I've also removed the nozzle and used the uncured Sika on a screwdriver if you only want to seal something small.
And yes, it is more expensive than silicone but 100% better quality and life.
There is another brand the local M10 stocked for a while - http://soudal.com.au/fixallsmx/ > I used it especially the crystal in the old caravan ensuite. For some reason they stopped stocking it.
macka17 said
09:26 PM Oct 9, 2017
Sika PRO. Is the better one on market. apart from special app's (Marine. heat etc.)
I always take off nozzle. clean it out completely.
Gladwrap over top of tube. reapply nozzle. and in fridge.
It does work. Go to marine builders and look.
They use Sika. 3M and a pommy one. IN fridge.
Happyjack said
09:39 PM Oct 9, 2017
Yep. owned ( well, she did) a beautiful launch for a few years - always use the best for anything around water.
Colin Penrose said
10:00 AM Oct 10, 2017
Bloody hell ! Never thought of that or heard of it either. Cheers, Sika is the best and now I know how to keep it. I will store it in my freezer with my beer kegs set on 4c. Col P
Happyjack said
10:24 AM Oct 10, 2017
It's a combination of the temperature of the fridge and the low humidity as Sikaflex Pro is moisture cured
When i did handyman work in Kiwiland, I often had to fix wter leaks in roofs, joinery and bathrooms.
The lesson i learned was to think like water - I come out here, but where can I get in, which direction will I travel ( mot always downhill, think capillary action).
I've had a leak in a rear internal locker so I checked all external joints for seal integrity, and if in doubt re-sealed with Sika Pro ( in my opinion the only one to use, forget silicone)
Then I looked at the side & tail lights and wondered?
So I removed them - and all trhe old silicone sealnt had completely broken down and all holes - screw, and wire, where available to water entry. I do not truts the rubber backing seals.,
so filled the holes and ran extra sealant around the edge of the holes.
Hopefully the next rain will tell if I got them all.
Great thoughts mate and good advice. The only problem I see is when you need a tiny amount of sealant for a little job Sika becomes too expensive to throw the rest of the tube away. Col P
And make sure you get a few replacement nozzles when you buy a tube - they are a different size to other barnd tubes. God knows why they never give you more than one.
. Or you can even dig it out by removing the nozzle and doing it that way. I've also removed the nozzle and used the uncured Sika on a screwdriver if you only want to seal something small.
It is rare for the whole nozzle to go solid, and down in to the tube. If it's only a short time between uses you can usually, using a very small screw driver or similar, start to pull out the cured sealant, more stretchy and better integrity than snot
And yes, it is more expensive than silicone but 100% better quality and life.
There is another brand the local M10 stocked for a while - http://soudal.com.au/fixallsmx/ > I used it especially the crystal in the old caravan ensuite. For some reason they stopped stocking it.
I always take off nozzle. clean it out completely.
Gladwrap over top of tube. reapply nozzle. and in fridge.
It does work. Go to marine builders and look.
They use Sika. 3M and a pommy one. IN fridge.
Yep. owned ( well, she did) a beautiful launch for a few years - always use the best for anything around water.
Bloody hell ! Never thought of that or heard of it either. Cheers, Sika is the best and now I know how to keep it. I will store it in my freezer with my beer kegs set on 4c. Col P
It's a combination of the temperature of the fridge and the low humidity as Sikaflex Pro is moisture cured