What type of sealant to use for aluminum roof edging?

[misterW]

My trailer has a sheet of aluminum for the roof, which I just cut to size. My question deals with the edging that will be running the length of the trailer on each side.

What should I use for sealant in between the edging and the aluminum roof?

A friend of mine used butyl tape; however, his edging seems shaped a bit differently than mine. It seemed to have a bit of concave space that the tape could fit into. My edging is totally flat where it meets the roof -- I'm wondering if the lack of space for the butyl tape would raise it off the roof a bit. Please correct me if this is not an issue -- I have no experience with butyl tape.

I also considered just using a construction adhesive, like PL, to seal and also help hold the edging to the roof. Would that work?

What is typically done?

[misterW]

Let me simplify wrote I wrote and just ask:

How did you put the edging on your roof? What is the usual way that its done?

[PaulC]

I've always used sikaflex between the edging and the roof. Works for me.

Cheers
Paul

[48Rob]

Putty tape is the general answer for trim you'd like to be easily able to remove in the future, and other caulk/sealers if you aren't so concerned.

Rob

[madjack]

...whatever you do, don't use the construction adhesive if you ever want to be able to take it apart...your concerns about the butyl tape are real with plain jane type angle...I have been using and having good luck with White Lightning 3600 Ultra, an elastometric, siliconized, acylic adhesive/sealant(water cleanup) on stuff I want close and flush(about 7 bux a tube)...urethane auto windshield sealant works well at around 15 bux a tube and the SikaFlex is a good choice along with 3M 4/5200...the latter two are somewhat more expensive and along with the windshield sealant are harder to clean up the excess squish out....................
madjack

[streetrod23]

I used sikaflex, as used and recomended by the guys at Camp-Inn. Much nicer to work with than silicone

[aggie79]

I used 3M 4200. It is supposed to allow for disassembly but the way it sticks I'm not sure that would be possible without a lot of force. It is rated for use below the waterline on boats so it should stay watertight.

You may want to squirt a little sealer in the holes for your fasteners to help keep the area around them water-tight.



Here's a picture of the bulkhead side of my hurricane hinge showing the squeeze-out of the 4200.

[planovet]

I used an insert trim that has a space for butyl tape. But for your application, I think SikaFlex is a good choice.

[misterW]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. You've certainly made this project easier to navigate...

[misterW]

Which particular sikaflex sealant product were you guys using? I see they make a ton of stuff...

[streetrod23]

I believe it was 221, but i will check

[misterW]

^ I'd appreciate it, thanks!

[misterW]

Did some checking around, looks like you remembered correctly...sikaflex 221 seems to be the recommended product. thanks again!

[LDK]

What about polyurethane caulk. In the cubby manual it says to use it. Is it suppose to be better than ordinary caulk? I was gonna use butyl tape but I'm using regular aluminum angle for trim too.

[terryjones1]

I used 3M 4200. It is supposed to allow for disassembly but the way it sticks I'm not sure that would be possible without a lot of force. It is rated for use below the waterline on boats so it should stay watertight.

Here's a picture of the bulkhead side of my hurricane hinge showing the squeeze-out of the 4200.

What did you use to clean up the squeeze-out?




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