Lexan over E hatch hole. Do I prime?

[MambaJack]

Removed the e hatch hole and cleaned up the metal. Should I prime before putting butyl tape down and the poly? Also should I try to use the same holes?

Thanks
Dave

[CaptSquid]

Prime AND paint. Use the old holes, too.

[MambaJack]

Great thx. I have butyl tape for below and dicorr self leveling for the top. Should that be sufficient?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by MambaJack

Removed the e hatch hole and cleaned up the metal. Should I prime before putting butyl tape down and the poly? Also should I try to use the same holes?

Thanks
Dave

Always prime/paint bare metal!

[Nachowarrior]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Always prime/paint bare metal!

its funny that you say that. my bus is made of some high quality steel. i cut a few holes out, tossed the scraps in the dirt and left them lie there for years. not a bit of rust on the cut edges. even the little spindly bits wern't rusted off.


having said that i still prime my cuts with some rustoleium metal spray paint.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Nachowarrior

its funny that you say that. my bus is made of some high quality steel. i cut a few holes out, tossed the scraps in the dirt and left them lie there for years. not a bit of rust on the cut edges. even the little spindly bits wern't rusted off.


having said that i still prime my cuts with some rustoleium metal spray paint.

Hmmm High quality steel usually rusts faster. I've got cold rolled and hot rolled and the cold rolled rusts immediately.

[MambaJack]

Got the edges all cleaned up and the metal primed and painted.
Trying to determine now the best order of operations.

I have butyl tape and self leveling sealant, which would be best under the lexan? Also i should put the lexan on and seal it first then paint the roof with tropicool -right?

Thanks in advance for any advise

[Mgulley82]

I used butyl tape around the edges of my lexan

Dicor around my Hardware and also around the edges after mounted

Then I masked the lexan off (leaving a small edge unmasked) and painted the roof

No leaks

I also added some sheet metal to make
My opening smaller first

[Nachowarrior]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Hmmm High quality steel usually rusts faster. I've got cold rolled and hot rolled and the cold rolled rusts immediately.

its made of the same kind 9f steel they make shipping containers out of afaik. it will get a sirface patina of rust, but wont ever really rust through, the patina actuallymprotects rhe underlying layers of steel from rusting.
this is why people that want to bury building structures cheap use shipping containers, bus shells, and train cars. i was surprised at how well it held up, but i digress.


to the op;

fwiw; i use foam strip plus compression for the best water tight seals on my roof, eg; the ac system has nothing more than four bolts and a 1inch thick strip of foam seal all the way around. i made 2x2 wood frame lagged in place for the supports. i used similar for my hatch seals, wish i would have done the same for the openings of the hatches, because it works pretty darn well, 8 might rebuild them someday.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Mgulley82

I used butyl tape around the edges of my lexan

Dicor around my Hardware and also around the edges after mounted

Then I masked the lexan off (leaving a small edge unmasked) and painted the roof

No leaks

I also added some sheet metal to make
My opening smaller first

Butyl tape, seam sealer, lap sealant- those are the weapons of choice for FIXING roof leaks! Or preventing them.

[o1marc]

Keep in mind that Lexan comes in clear or tinted and I will not be using clear for covering the hole. I'll use a piece of tinted and then mount my FantasticFan in the middle of it.

[Gustav]

I like that idea.

[Ninjakitty]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Keep in mind that Lexan comes in clear or tinted and I will not be using clear for covering the hole. I'll use a piece of tinted and then mount my FantasticFan in the middle of it.

Oh, you are right on with not using clear. I installed a clear, non-tinted skylight. I am now building in an ez-bake oven

[mad.am.scientist]

Has anyone built an opening roof hatch with lexan??? The light and air are both ideal for me

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by mad.am.scientist

Has anyone built an opening roof hatch with lexan??? The light and air are both ideal for me

Issues with sealing against rain becomes an issue. The fan I plan on mounting in the Lexan does open for egress if needed. I think I'm leaving the front escape hatch in as it can be opened fore or aft for ventilation and the fan in the back hatch will draw air for circulation.