When I resealed mine I found the best thing to use to smooth out the sealant was a piece of cotton cloth ( old bed sheet ) dipped into warm soapy water and just used my finger with the cloth wrapped round it and that gave a good even finish

I’ve never had any issues doing it the second method using a wet finger but tend to use a non latex glove. A silicone tool you can also use, but as you said small amount is key, then reapply if required. 😀

Thanks for another needed lesson. You can get a Vitrex Grout Finisher quite cheap from B&Q, it will do a nice smooth job - on tiles anyway, so I would imagine they would do the same job on caravans. I tend to let the sealer dry after using the small tool because the ball end actually leaves a cut line (not actually a cut) that enables you to peel away the excess.

Use a green packer gives a nice finish

Speaking as someone who fits kitchens and bathrooms including the tiles - I never use water, soapy water, finger, spit. Apply Sealent then use a tool, the results will last a long time. My bathroom - 11 years still looked like new. The soapy water method is used imo by amateurs and those making a quick buck. On the flip side it can help achieve a cosmetically good look, but id question the longevity of that method. Ty

@thecaravanplace

5 күн бұрын

Agree and think the water is just going to cause problems if it's an overseal, thanks for your comments 👍

@MrRichardmorris

5 күн бұрын

I stopped spraying/misting the wet sealant with washing up liquid solution (even though the finish looked lovely) after I found the sealant pulled away from the caravan surface in less than 6 months. I think the fluid had coated the surface and stopped the sealant sticking to it properly when I squished it in with my finger. I now mostly use a silicon spreader and masking tape and maybe a wet finger at the very end for tight curves.

@sirkitchalott

5 күн бұрын

@@MrRichardmorris I never use a wet finger as therr is bacteria on our hands. I use a tool and copious amounts of paper towel to wipe the tool off.

@MrRichardmorris

4 күн бұрын

@@sirkitchalott I have learned to use toilet paper instead of kitchen towel to wipe the silicon tool and I throw the paper away immediately into a bag. Whenever I use a piece of paper a second time the sealant from the first wipe always gets onto my hands and if I chuck the paper down I inevitably step on some of it later!!

@Dusty2feathers

4 күн бұрын

It depends on the quality of sealant and the application

I would use masking tape to get a nice clean line

Thanks for another really useful video, it would never have occurred to me that there were specific sealants for caravans! On a completely different subject, I would like to replace the radio in my caravan with one that is DAB, I have asked search engines but get nothing sensible in response; do you have any suggestions please?

The biggest cause of major leakage is from the deteriorating / degrading sealant under the awning rails on both sides. Because of the totally inadequate way most British caravans are manufactured, sealant is the main line of defence against water ingress and it shouldn't be. Because you can't see and inspect the sealant under the awning rails, as it inevitably degrades and shrivels with time. The awning rails need to be removed and the silicon replaced. I would say at least every 10 years on older manufactured caravans and more often on newer caravans, particularly those made when demand was high during the staycation period after covid. My caravan did exactly this. The manufacture method was rubbish and almost completely put me off caravanning altogether. It is easier and cheaper to make a suspect product and repair faults under warranty when presented than make a quality product at manufacture. Bear in mind that awnings pull at the most suspect point of your caravan, if you put one up. Watch Atlantic Caravans on youtube and he will tell you the whole story about modern caravan manufacture.

@Medge2sc

4 күн бұрын

What is behind the awning rail ? Is it joint ?

@stevezodiac491

4 күн бұрын

This is the area the roof and side walls meet.

Have you tried the silicon profile tool?

@thecaravanplace

5 күн бұрын

Yes they work very well too, you can pretty much leave the finish and size bead you want too. 👍

Great video and super informative., both wit technique and materials used.

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

Glad it was helpful 👍

Use masking tape to get clean edge's. That repair you've done will look awful once the silicone gets mucky.

Just been doing a bit of this

A bigger job but would it be better to remove the trim, clean it all and then bed it on the silicon sealant, then tool off any excess?

@samm4265

5 күн бұрын

I agree, I would only use this method if I were out travelling and I noticed a leak in my van from the skylight and needed a quick DIY temp fix. I find it concerning RV dealers are patching vehicles/trailers up like this instead of resealing it professionally. If the sealant is breaking off and coming out, it is time to remove the entire lot because all that will happen is for the new sealant to break loose from the old sealant after a short while due to vehicles use under normal road conditions.

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

Yes, it gets to a point that this would be necessary, more often than not when a leak is present, they then need to be fully removed and new tape seal applied. 👍

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

Yes as above, if a leak were present a full removal would be required, if it's more cosmetic, then this is a way to clean up and stop potential issues later on.

Hi . What's your opinion on buccaneer caravans and bessacarr caravans. I was told that buccaneer was the Rolls-Royce .of caravans . Would that be correct. I also heard very good things about bessacarr. . Does a heavier caravan always mean a better built caravan. Thanks. Love the videos.

Masking tape both sides of the bead apply sealant between & tool up the bead before removing the masking tape is the only professional way to do it IMO

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

Yes another very good way to do it. 👍

Can you advise on what to use to seal the underside of a motorhome? We've a 2018 elddis and I'm working my way around with the sikaflex on the sides and roof but I've no idea what to use underneath

@Dusty2feathers

4 күн бұрын

Make sure you have plenty of tubes and double your efforts around the external frames of heki roof lights

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

In theory the floor being Marine ply shouldn't need anything, so the only issue would be leaks from above, the chassis on the newer vehicles should be good too.

@amcrome

4 күн бұрын

@@thecaravanplace good to know thanks

you NEVER use your finger as it gives a very armature finish, use a proper silicone finishing tool as it gives a very nice finish and also pushes the sealant into the gap.

On a small area like this I've used masking tape and a spatula. Peel tape away, perfic PS What is that mould like marking the top of the rail?? Had it one of my vans, only way I could get it off, was to rub with Wet & Dry,

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

Yes the plastic gets to a point where it won't clean up in any tradional cleaning process.

No water on first run with a tool again with water

Use a mastic tool and not your finger and water. Think about it. You add the soap and water so it does not stick and what do you want it to do “stick” Just use the tool and no water and it will stick for much longer. James

@thecaravanplace

4 күн бұрын

I agree 👍

All these bodgy little repairs would put me off buying a caravan from you, you're not doing yourself any favours doing this. The battery box should be removed and resealed properly.