1973 Prevost roof leak

[PRS749]

 

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Friends

have a few places where the roof panels on my 73 Prevost that is in process have raised up and are leaking - any suggestions on the best way to approach the problem and to resolve it ??  have access inside and out

thanks much

Peter

[Dallas]

Peter,

The first question I would ask is "Why"?

Why is it leaking, (you answered that).

What caused it to leak?

Why did what caused it to leak happen?

If the panels have raised up on their own, why did they do it? Is there structural damage, rust, poor riveting procedure, wrong rivets, etc.?

Have you looked at framing, structure, panels, rivets, etc?

Right now, I have no idea what to tell you, but I thought I'd ask you these questions to bring this to the top.

Dallas

<<BUMP>>

[PRS749]

Hi Dallas

thanks for the thoughts - spent several hours in assessment and contemplation - checked entire length of roof line and found several places where the roof panel was no longer riveted to the framing member - in a few places it appeared as if someone had placed some caulking in the crack in hopes of fixing it.

my assessment is that it's not a small fix, and the best alternative is to drill out all the rivets to 1/4", clean up both surfaces, install a line of quality silicone caulk/sealer, and install new stainless rivets.  I certainly don't want to mess with a continuing leakage problem after I've put in an interior.

If anyone has any hints, it would be appreciated.

Thanks much

Peter

[Hartley]

Fix the holes and loose rivets. seal up the seams the best you can.

Scrub the whole roof clean with bleach based cleaner, do it twice..

Then coat the roof with an elastomeric coating like Kool-Seal ( you will notice I said "like" ). The apply a clear sealer
over that to protect from mold and mildew.

I used Kool-Seal with adding ceramic insulation beads to help better insulate my MC9, The problem is that it's color
is awful when it ages and you have to recoat in about 2 years to make it look nice. I however have had no further
leaks or condensation like I had previously on other buses. It also makes walking around easier as the surface is rougher
texture than gloss paint. This is not everyones cup of tea. I spent $50 to solve a leak plus the ceramic to help in the Florida
sun. It is also much quieter inside in a blinding rain storm....

Dave...

[buswarrior]

Hello PRS.

Sounds like you have the right idea. Clean up all those questionable places, and re-rivit with a quality sealer in between.

Along with the kool-seal suggestion, there is a material to use in conjunction that you apply over the roof seams to assist in assuring a leak free future before the kool-seal type product is applied.

I can't remember what it is. What says the choir?

Remember folks, PRS is already in trouble with burst roof seams, a condition that many of us have not had to gamble with!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Kristinsgrandpa]

   NAPA sell some stuff in a caulking tube called Window Weld. (it only comnes in black) It sticks to glass, or steel, or your hands, and is very, very hard to remove.

It's probably just generic Sika Flex.

Ed