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Hi George , there is about a 6mm gap between the inner part of the alloy frame and the wall board , so there is a good chance the condensation is tracking down and soaking into the wall board .

atb

Wizard

Hi George , yep a strip of roll mastic stuck to the alloy frame should do it , there is quite a few of the fixing clamps so you may need to remove the lower ones to place the roll mastic , then fix back again .

atb

Wizard

Hi Wizard, was reading about your reseal project and found it very interesting, I have a 14ft Golden Crown, circa 1995, we love the old thing so much my wife has even given it a name.

Anyway the reason for contacting you....at the moment the van is dry but its been in my mind after reading some recent info that the mastic is only good for 10 years? there is a good chance that the mastic on Goldie is at least that, maybe even older.

I have considered resealing it myself as a precaution as it cannot be rocket science, as a retired engineer I understand as you mentioned to be careful with extrusion when removing it as it bends easly.

My question if you could help, my awning rail is approx 40mm wide, the lower rails are about 20mm, where can buy mastic tape in different widths? also would you reccomend using tape as opposed to mastic from a gun?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Regards

David

Hi David , you should be able to buy roll mastic at most good caravan shops , W4 roll mastic comes in three sizes 19mm wide , 32mm wide and 45mm wide , so you should have no problems using 19mm for the 20mm rail and 45mm for the 40mm rail , just need to trim it after fitting.
also would you reccomend using tape as opposed to mastic from a gun?
Tape is easier to work with , on mine i used both because (1) white tube mastic looks better on the awning rail edges than grey , (2) i was just being extra fussy making sure the rail was totally sealed .  

Hope this helps .

atb

Wizard

Ps do feel free to ask as many questions as you like , be glad to advise if i can. 

Thanks Wizard, I hope you do not mind me asking another question, I was looking at your resealing project paying particular attention to the awning rail, your rail looks slighly different, unlessyou have removed what I seem to have,  mine looks to have a plastic/rubber backing, as there is a bead down each edge of the rail, have you come across this? I wonder if it is a complete moulding where the rail fits into it, could send you a pic if its any help, would appreciate your comments.

Thanks again

David  

Hi David i have the same rubber trim edges on my Swift Challanger awning rails .
You may find with yours that the rubber trim goes from one side to the other .
I would say you would probably be better of using tube mastic to seal this type of rail .

atb

Wizard

Thanks wizard for the info, I sort of guessed it might be right across the back of the rail protruding out each side but was not 100% sure, I have taken note that the tube mastic might be better for this application, will use as you suggested in your article silkaflex 512 if I can get it locally, may have to hunt around and also look on ebay from time to time.

Another issue came to mind while I am typing this, sorry to be a pest, maybe you can advise, one of the front plastic windows has a small crack in it on the inside, where the latch is fitted, I had considered drilling a 1 to1.5mm dia hole at the extreame end of the crack to stop it propergating any further, but a new window would be the best option, where would I get one? the local caravanmaster advises it could cost 3-400 pounds for a replacement

Again many many thanks for the info

Regards

David

Hi Dave , personally i would drill the hole to stop the crack spreading , then see if you can find a plastics repairer rather than buy a new window .

atb

Wizard

Hi George , we're away at the mo and i've been checking the kitchen window in the mornings and it's almost certainly condensation causing the problem , just thought you'd like to know , when i've come up with a fix i'll post it on here .

atb

Wizard