bajajoaquin
Irvine, CA
Full Member
Joined: 10/25/2003
View Profile
|
I’m looking at a solar install and plan to use strut channel to mount the panels to the roof. I saw another camper do similar and seal it by putting down 3” squares of butyl tape where he screwed into the roof and then covered with dicor.
Looking at Amazon, there are tons of tapes at different price points. Are they all that different? What is a good brand or source? I really don’t want to save $10 to risk thousands in leak repairs later.
"Perfection comes not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away."
|
BobsYourUncle
Calgary Alberta Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 12/12/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
No, not all equal.
3 basic types:
1) Your basic cheap putty tape.
This stuff is junk and holds no place in an RV.
2) Poly-butyl blend. (IIRC, that's what it's called)
Better, but still nothing to write home to mother about.
3) Pure butyl tape.
The most expensive but the best choice. It sticks very well to all surfaces, never hardens or crumbles and remains pliable for years. And its a bear to remove. That's a plus, not a negative.
As you said, for a few bucks more a roll, get the good stuff. It is well worth it. I have a part roll of it in my box of goodies I keep in my TT and it is still soft and pliable in spite of being many years old.
I personally would not buy this type of stuff from Amazon. Chances are it comes from China and holds the same quality as their tires....
You may pay more, but find some good old Made in USA product.
This info is based on my experience from a bunch of years ago. Maybe they have something better now, I don't know.
2007 GMC 3500 dually ext. cab 4X4 LBZ
Dmax/Allison
2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 306RLSS - 32'
RV Rebuild Website
Site is live, finally launched Aug 22, 2021 @ 6:53 PM
.
|
OkieGene
oklahoma city
Senior Member
Joined: 01/06/2004
View Profile
|
Consider using Eternabond. That stuff seriously sticks!!!
|
bajajoaquin
Irvine, CA
Full Member
Joined: 10/25/2003
View Profile
|
Where would be a good source to buy pure butyl tape or ernabond?
|
chuckbear
Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 06/07/2015
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
OkieGene wrote:Consider using Eternabond. That stuff seriously sticks!!!
Eternabond tape and butyl tape is not the same and used for different purposes. Chuck
|
|
|
BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
Moderator
Joined: 10/16/2000
View Profile
|
bajajoaquin wrote:Where would be a good source to buy pure butyl tape or ernabond?
I have purchased my Eternabond tape for many years from Best Materials but they also sell Butyl Rubber sealant tape.
Here is the 4 inch Eternabond tape that I have used extensively on my roof. It has been on there for almost 15 years and was just recently removed when I had my roof recovered.
I have found that Best Materials usually has the best price for most roofing/caulking type products.
Barney
* This post was
edited 09/23/21 08:46am by BarneyS *
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD
|
bajajoaquin
Irvine, CA
Full Member
Joined: 10/25/2003
View Profile
|
Thank you very much. Can I impose a bit more? What is the difference in use cases for eternabond and butyl tape? Which would be better for my application?
|
DrewE
Vermont
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
For one rather obvious difference, butyl tape is used sandwiched between two surfaces, while Eternabond goes across a joint or hole. Put another way, butyl tape is double-sided tape, while Eternabond is single-sided tape.
|
bajajoaquin
Irvine, CA
Full Member
Joined: 10/25/2003
View Profile
|
Awesome, thank!
|
LouLawrence
Traveling the US!
Senior Member
Joined: 03/16/2021
View Profile
|
^^^^^Correct^^^^^. If you want something to go under the feet of something being mounted you would not use Eternabond. Use the tape and then cover the screw with Dicor so you can get all around the foot, tape and screw. If you want to seal edges of things (vents, drip edges, etc.), Eternabond is a great application.
|
|
|
