Roof Hatch TLC

[Hidalga]

The Scamp has two weeks of precious, sheltered garage time, so I’m addressing projects that would be more challenging in the outside world.

One item on the To-do list is care of the roof hatch. I don’t know if the silicone on the rivets was factory applied, but the moldy globber was just too easy to peel off. The hatch cover is beautifully yellowing and the foam weather stripping was starting to become unglued. Also, the two screws that help hold the cover in-track were generously rusted.

I’ve started to prep and clean, with the intention to paint the outside of the cover an aluminum color after using plastic primer. A little spray glue adhesive with new weather stripping will help give extra hold, and the new stainless screws with a dab of threadlocker will put the rusty screws in the trash. The crank bar and track will get freshly greased too.

I intend to use Boatlife Life-Seal to reapply on top of the rivets and around the surround, unless strongly advised otherwise.

In a week or so, I’ll post photos of the results.

[cpaharley2008]

Butyl tape is what you want between the hatch and the roof and then use the Life Seal around and on the rivets.

[Hidalga]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Butyl tape is what you want between the hatch and the roof and then use the Life Seal around and on the rivets.

Thanks, but I'm not removing the hatch or rivets, just cleaning it up. As you see in the photo, the hatch is staying in place. Good to hear I'm on the right track with the Life Seal.

[Timber Wolf]

I weenied out on re-sealing my roof hatch. I wanted something with some "creep" to get under and around the rivits so bought a can of the spray stuff they show making a boat out of a screen door on TV. I masked off the lid and around the hatch and let it have it with the spray (after cleaning off the old caulk). We had some good rain on it the last time out and no leaks. Was it the correct or best fix? Probably not. Was it quick and dirty and did the deed? Abosolutely.

One word of advice though, you do not want to loose the aluminum slider piece that attaches to the lid. Scamp sells the lid with hinge but not the little track piece. My old, dried and cracked lid blew off on the way home with my new Scamp but left the track behind, luckily for me.

[Hidalga]

Originally Posted by Timber Wolf

One word of advice though, you do not want to loose the aluminum slider piece that attaches to the lid. Scamp sells the lid with hinge but not the little track piece. My old, dried and cracked lid blew off on the way home with my new Scamp but left the track behind, luckily for me.

Thanks Tim. I'm taking the lazy weenie route by using my blue tape and paper masking skills. The aluminum piece stays on for the spray painting.

[Hidalga]

Photos of the results below. New rubber weather stripping, new stainless screws at the ends of the hinge, painted lid, re-greased crank arm/track, and clear Boatlife Life-Seal applied to flange edge and rivet tops.

[Carol H]

Looks good!

Where did you find the weather stripping? I called Scamp as mine is ripped and they said I should be able to find it at any hardware store. So far that hasn't held true...

I pulled my escape hatch right off as I didnt like all the gunk that had been put over the rivets. It was starting to lift although I am not convinced it did much - mostly the looks of it that bothered me when I looked down on it from my deck at home. I reset the hatch with butyl tape and reattached it with rivets but used caps over the rivets. I also used the Life Seal around the edge once it was all in place.

[kootenaigirl]

That looks so much better. I am not a big fan of the Scamp escape hatches as without a lot of fiberglass work you are basically stuck with that odd sized hole and really as we have discussed before how many people could actually use it as an emergency escape route!

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by kootenaigirl

how many people could actually use it as an emergency escape route!

Suspect few but I actually like the one on mine. It allows for a great deal more fresh air movement in the middle of the trailer and it does come in handy to stand up through to get at items on the roof to repair or clean.

[Hidalga]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Looks good!

Where did you find the weather stripping? I called Scamp as mine is ripped and they said I should be able to find it at any hardware store. So far that hasn't held true...

The Rubber Foam Weatherseal is the Frost King brand, carried by Lowe's Home Improvement. 1 1/4" W, 7/16" thick in a 10' roll. They had it in black and white, but I thought white would get very dirty too quickly.