Leak first aid

[BatDude]

We had drizzling rain here at the Tetons a few nights ago.
Beats the snow that has been falling in Yellowstone.

Shortly after going to bed I was shocked by a very cold drip onto my shoulder.

Apparently, the rivet on the top of the dividing wall and seat back between the bed area and dinette began leaking.

So what is a quick fix at 21:45 when it is raining and dark?


Coconut oil to the rescue. We use this in a lot of our cooking. Liquid when warm, but solid when cool, cold. I heated about a tablespoon in the microwave to very liquid state, popped open the roof hatch and sopped up water around the rivet button then poured the liquid oil on the button.
Cold outside so it instantly solidified and sealed the leak!


Closed the hatch, and back to bed.


The following day when it was not raining I did clean up the area and removed the button cap. Then sealed with non-silicone RV sealant and replaced the button.



Bat Dude

[Paul O.]

That's called off-label-use and often is the most efficient way of dealing with emergencies. I like it!

[Jack L]

Thanks for the tip. Being resourceful makes camping much more enjoyable. I just read something on Facebook about solving the same problem with Jucy Fruit chewing gum.

[John in Michigan]

I carry a small piece of butyl tape in the form of a ball in a zip lock bag when travelling. Duck tape also comes in handy.

[TomK]

+1 Duct Tape "The handyman's secret weapon" - Red Green

[Glenn Baglo]

Minus 2 for Duck ( or duct ) tape. It leaves a gummy residue.
I use gaffer tape, which is used in the movie industry, stage and photography because it doesn't leave a residue. And, if it gets stuck to itself, you simply peel it apart.
It does cost considerably more, but it's worth it.
BTW, 'duct tape' is used to seal ducts and is made from aluminum with an adhesive surface. Never use Duck tape on heat ducts.

[TomK]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Minus 2 for Duck ( or duct ) tape. It leaves a gummy residue.
I use gaffer tape, which is used in the movie industry, stage and photography because it doesn't leave a residue. And, if it gets stuck to itself, you simply peel it apart.
It does cost considerably more, but it's worth it.
BTW, 'duct tape' is used to seal ducts and is made from aluminum with an adhesive surface. Never use Duck tape on heat ducts.

Glenn, I would never use polyethylene / cloth laminate based duct tape on a heat duct. I believe the tape you are recommending for that application is called aluminum foil tape, among other trade names. What I am referring to is the same tape that 3M refers to as duct tape. It has all the qualities you need to temporarily patch a leaky rivet. No residue, unless you leave it on for a long, long time. I hope no one would consider it a long time fix.

Duct tape is very strong and versatile. I once patched up a Beech 18 fabric aileron that made an unscheduled trip thru a corn field. In fixed wing aviation we called it 200 mph tape. In rotary wing maintenance it was called 100 mph tape. It got us back to the hangar where we could fix it properly. I'm glad I wasn't packing gaffers tape.

I do admire Bat Dude's ingenious temporary repair. Necessity really can be the mother of invention.

3M Duct Tape with a full explanation :

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-...3194310&rt=rud

Tom

[padlin00]

They make a no residue duct and duck tape.

[John in Michigan]

OK, "duct" tape (not a quack)

Seriously the good old fashioned duct tape (100 mph tape) was/is amazing. When I was a teenager a looooong time ago, it was a "temporary" patch for rust holes in car bodies, etc.