Maintenance & Restoration

Earl E. November · 04-08-2012, 06:01 AM

Well you can put that on my short list..Thanks

alan in alberta · 04-08-2012, 07:34 AM

it is not warm enough to get my trailer out of storage yet but in a few weeks if all this snow melts this is going to save me a ton of work

thank you

alan

BCDave · 04-08-2012, 02:25 PM

After doing several different spots on mine yesterday with the 3 types of remover, I am now (it is on - waiting for two more hours as we 'speak") using the DAP and doing all the other places where there is visible silly-cone on my Bigfoot, including the spots where the 3M had failed so miserably.

I'll bring a (half-used) bottle of the DAP brand to the spring NOG to demonstrate it. No I am not associated with DAP, - I don't even own shares in it! Just thot that when we find something that actually WORKS!

- the news should be spread around.

Donna D. · 04-08-2012, 07:58 PM

Sounds great Dave. Be sure to have a spot on your trailer to demonstrate it. I've already scrapped that Devil's goop off my trailer... and lost both thumbnails in the process!

Now, I'd still say... even through Dave's effort of finding something that works to remove silicone on molded trailers... don't apply silicone just because there's something available to get rid of it. There are much better caulking solutions available! Silicone is only a temporary fix!

BCDave · 04-08-2012, 09:04 PM

Oh, I figure someone will have a good glop or two of that bleep on their rigs to be used as a demo project.. (Volunteers needed?) Think of it as a tutorial....

Remember: use of silicone is a multi-step process

Step one - apply it

step two - realize what you have done

step three - sell trailer to someone who doesn't realize.....

If you are the unfortunate buyer there is also a multi-step process

Step one - think of a perfect place to hide a body

step two - track down the dolt who put the stuff on there in the first place

step three - struggle, scrape and curse

step four - realize that NOTHING (including more silly-cone) will stick where silly cone has been previously applied

step five - after reading this thread, use a silicone remover that works, and start over using a butyl rubber caulk or butyl rubber tape/putty

john warren · 04-09-2012, 12:50 PM

hmmmm sillycon remover.......bad jokes about sister-in-law.....hmmmm if wife see's,,,,can't end well.....never mind

Steve_N_Janna · 04-09-2012, 07:09 PM

After about 12 hours of scraping away at the two layers of silicone caked on the belly band of my Scamp I broke down and purchased a $10 bottle of the DAP product. I had a concern that anything strong enough to melt that demon caulk might soften the gel coat. Not so !!! The stuff worked beautifully for me, though I had to do a repeat application - possibly because I wasn't patient enough to wait more than about 45 minutes after applying it (lack of patience is one of my chronic personality flaws).

I'm not sure why the previous owner felt a need to caulk around the belly band, though it does look like moisture could hide behind the aluminum and then cause possible damage if it freezes. My plan is to brush a layer of epoxy along the top of the band, allowing it to fill the gap.

I'm open to suggestions if anyone has dealt with this.

kdhanso · 04-09-2012, 07:37 PM

My Scamp has a silicone bead around the entire belly band. I had always assumed it was done at the factory rather than by a previous owner. There is also silicone globbed around the roof vent which is an original install as far as I know. Can anyone confirm that my assumption is correct that Scamp puts silicone on their trailers?

Donna D. · 04-09-2012, 08:33 PM

I can't confirm the caulk around the belly band of my 1988 16' Scamp is original. I'm the third owner and don't know what the first two may have done. But I do know it's SILICONE (it's peeling away in spots). I mentioned to Dave on this thread, that I had already removed it all. I completely forgot about the belly band... dang.... glad there's something other than my thumbnails to remove it (and plastic knives and ice scrappers). Guess I should volunteer my trailer at the NOG for a test.

**Gina D.** · 04-09-2012, 10:58 PM

I have it all around my belly band too aarg!

I miss my Burros..no rivets, no belly band LOL

Earl E. November · 04-10-2012, 04:46 AM

Something tells me we are going to have a bunch of much improved belly bands around here in the near future..

Hambone · 04-11-2012, 07:23 PM

I assume there is some kind of lip under the belly band? So I removed all my caulk and i'm just going to leave it bare, does look better and if its peeling, missing in spots what good was it doing anyway!!!

Hambone · 04-11-2012, 07:26 PM

Ken,
Scamp sells silicone tubes on there parts website!!!

Donna D. · 04-12-2012, 05:37 AM

Maybe this summer I'll remove the 40' of silicone(?) around the belly band of my Scamp, it's peeling up in places. But, I will replace it with something better (if I can get it to stick). I don't believe the caulk is there to prevent leaks, but more for asthetics. And, it seals the area from dirt, dust, moss, etc. from filling in that area. I don't really care to wash my trailer with a toothbrush and unless caulked... I may have to do just that. YMMV

BTW: I think the only current molded trailer manufacturer who DOESN'T use silicone anywhere on the exterior... is Escape.