Rust, Repairs and Water Leaks

PNWorBUST72 · March 20, 2018, 02:48:02 PM

So do you MCI owner have any knowledge of the cetner windows, the ones at the double beams, as being prone to leaking?

The majority of my water damage is there so I assume those 2-4 windows are just prone to leaking. Are there key areas to watch out for here? I am going to buy new inner and outer weatherstripping and caulk the hell out of the frames but where do these things leak from? Is it the frame itself thats leaking?

My Project page has the pics...

Right now I am torn between ripping out all the rivets on the two main columns and half way down the two panels, cutting out the bottom half of the column and replacing, making sure to support to roof from inside to prevent sagging. Remove the chair rails and just weld in another flat panel with a square tubing of similar size. Add in extra support for the lower window frame raail and then re rivet. Maybe welding another piece across both sides lower window railing to add more strength there. This is a ton of work...

What size punch and/or drill bit will I need to remove the outer rivets?

What size/type will I need to replace them?

daveola · March 20, 2018, 05:24:08 PM

Can you clarify where your leaks are? I thought my windows were leaking until I realized that the window sills are actually supposed to be able to catch water because they have holes in the frame to let the water drain to the outside - my holes were plugged, and then my windows were leaking to the inside whenever it rained.

I also had issues due to the paint wearing out on the roof seams, after caulking them all up my leaks were all gone!

chessie4905 · March 20, 2018, 05:27:34 PM

Condensation will be a problem contributing to the issue.

PNWorBUST72 · March 22, 2018, 07:59:12 AM

Not really sure where it's leaking from yet but I did pull the "moulding from below the windows and above the luggage racks to find lots of dirt and water marks. Are those two sets of moulding supposed to have weatherstripping of some sort? The one under the window has a single old @$# crap line of caulk buts it's all chewed and completely gone in spots. The bottom one has some sort 9f formed runner gasket type product but it's torn up as well.

PNWorBUST72 · March 22, 2018, 02:42:33 PM

THIS might be why I need to replace both pillars on both sides...

Does anyone know if these mouldings are supposed to be sealed or are designed to help seal the panels? The bottom one has some sort of formed rubber gasket thats really stiff and all torn up and the top one just had some white caulking inside a channel in the moulding. Do these need to be sealed too?

Here is the roof, looks dirty but there is no film. Maybe some moss/algea?

Thoughts?

Oonrahnjay · March 22, 2018, 04:47:14 PM

No problem. That'll buff right out ...

DoubleEagle · March 23, 2018, 09:45:25 AM

Quote from: Oonrahnjay on March 22, 2018, 04:47:14 PM
No problem. That'll buff right out ...

And that rust makes Eagles look not so bad...

PNWorBUST72 · March 23, 2018, 02:04:40 PM

Any idea on how I tell if that roof needs anything more then a pressure washing, acetone and a good coat of Henry's? The internet isn't helping today...

DoubleEagle · March 23, 2018, 05:19:00 PM

Pressure wash it, and then scan with eyeballs. Look for missing rivets and bad corrosion spots, then apply the coating of your choice. The catch to the roof coatings for RV's is that they are not an easy to clean surface like urethane enamel. Don't park under Maples or Pines.