Roof vent

[Flight102C3]

What is the best way to install and also the best sealant to use when putting one in??

[belfert]

Cut an opening 14"x14" in the roof, apply butyl tape, and screw the vent down to the roof.  I used an Eternabond vent installation kit that included butyl tape and strips of Eternabond to go on top.

[bevans6]

Ditto, to the letter!  I favour the Fantastic Vent.

Brian

[Flight102C3]

Not sure what butyl tape or Eternabond. Where do I find it??  What about sikaflex 221?  Thanks for your input!

[Oonrahnjay]

Not sure what butyl tape or Eternabond. Where do I find it??  What about sikaflex 221?  Thanks for your input!   

I don't know about butyl tape or Eternabond, but I can tell you, if you use Sikaflex, my experience is that that body panel will be on there PERMANENTLY -- the only way you'll remove it is to destroy it.  If that's what you want, fine; but if you're ever in need of removal for repair of an underlying structure, you're going to be stuck (pun intended).  I'm hoping the butyl tape or Eternabond will allow for panel removal.

(I'm particularly thinking of my bus - which has panels approx 6' x 3', held on with "pop"-type rivets.  If you are thinking of mounting panels on a 'smooth side' bus with no rivets, you may need one of the permanent-bond bonder/sealers.  If that's the case, I apologize if my comment is off-subject here.)

BH   NC  USA

[bevans6]

Any RV shop will have the butyl tape and the Eternabond.  The tape is a rubberized caulking material in roll form, sticks like crazy to everything but never hardens.  The Eternabond is the duct tape of the RV world, they use it to seal roofs against leaks all the time.  It's pretty permanent but still stays flexible and you can cut it off.  Whatever you do, don't use any silicone based caulk.

Brian

[belfert]

Not sure what butyl tape or Eternabond. Where do I find it??  What about sikaflex 221?  Thanks for your input!

Your local RV parts place will probably have the Eternabond vent installation kit that includes both the butyl tape and the Eternabond.  Camping world sells butyl tape.

[Oonrahnjay]

Any RV shop will have the butyl tape and the Eternabond.  The tape is a rubberized caulking material in roll form, sticks like crazy to everything but never hardens.  The Eternabond is the duct tape of the RV world, they use it to seal roofs against leaks all the time.  It's pretty permanent but still stays flexible and you can cut it off.  Whatever you do, don't use any silicone based caulk.

Brian

Not sure what butyl tape or Eternabond. Where do I find it??  What about sikaflex 221?  Thanks for your input!

Thanks, that's good to know!  I'm going to need butyl tape next week.

Your local RV parts place will probably have the Eternabond vent installation kit that includes both the butyl tape and the Eternabond.  Camping world sells butyl tape.

[gus]

If you do a lot of cooking put it over the stove. If not, put it over the bathroom. Otherwise put it over the bedroom, the hottest place because of engine heat.

[TomC]

Fantastic Fan recommends externally rated silicone-which I used 14 years ago and haven't had a leak.  Then it is easy to remove if necessary.  The silicones are just superior to the ones just a few years ago.

I have a Fantasic Fan over my stove since I have a recirculating stove hood (non outside vented) and another Fantastic Fan in the bathroom.  Good Luck, TomC

[Flight102C3]

what type and brand of silicone is the best Tom?? thanks again guys

[gg04]

 It goes completely by where you are going to spend the most time...The bottom of Texas or further south,none of the above will live through but a couple of summers then the UV will kill them completely...If plastic based vent the base will disentigrate..and will not stop UV from killing silicone or buytl tape....Commercial fast set 3m windshield bond seems to last the longest...gg04 in the bottom of Texas or further south 9 months out of the year....

[TomC]

I just buy my silicone from Home Depot.  They have a good choice.  Can't remember the brand (I want to say 3M).  The key is to read the label.  You want 100% non paintable silicone that is rated for outdoors.  If it says for windows or rain gutters, that's the best.  The best silicone will still have some smell to it.  Good Luck, TomC

[Ed Hackenbruch]

There are only two things that i use on my bus.  Dicor Lap Sealant and CRLaurance silicone sealant...Cat#33S.  It is black and also comes in clear or white i think. I only use the black, had a window that leaked and tried about 4 things to seal it with no luck until i used the 33S. That was in 04 and it is still fine and we spend a lot of time in the sun.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Forgot to mention that i usually don't see the 33S in stores and have to order it from an rv parts place.