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Old 05-02-2019, 01:24 PM   #21
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Golden Valley AZ
Posts: 1,036
Year: 1993
Chassis: ThomasBuilt 30'
Engine: need someone to tell me
Rated Cap: me + 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis View Post
Here are some pics of a seam I laid down today between two roof panels:

https://imgur.com/a/PgOyKDS

I masked off the area, laid down a bead of 550 and then smoothed it as best I could with my finger, then removed the tape. I think the seam is good in the sense that it will be a good waterproof seal, but it looks like straight ass. Any tips on getting a smooth-looking seam over a ridge like this? Would using a putty knife side-to-side give a better result? Is this something that will look a lot better once I sand it and paint over the whole roof?

There are also some pics there of my Dynatron job on two of my windows. Those also seem to be well-sealed but also look pretty amateurish (although I didn't use any masking tape for those). Are there any good tutorials around for this?



I don't know much about buses, But I worked with a lot of caulks over many years.

Never used this brand of caulk, but here is how I have laid down miles of various caulks and it will probably work with this caulk also. It is quick, easy, produces quality, pretty results and any body can do it. Gets better with practice, but is quick/easy to learn. Try it if you can understand my instructions. It sounds complicated, but mostly because I have a problem explaining a skill with words only.

First get an inner tube that you can cut up. I used Firestone rubber roofing back in the day, but any inner tube rubber works fine.

Tools: 1- 5 gal bucket with a handle (can also be hung off of a ladder if necessary), 1- caulk gun, 1- good, sharp pair of scissors. Some small disposable rags or a roll of paper towels, I prefer rags. Some thin nitrile disposable gloves could be handy but I've never used them. A knife to cut the caulk tube if it doesn't have a built in cutter.


The bucket serves as a trash container and keeps all of your gear together so you can move quickly, cleanly, and efficiently around. Also works great off of a ladder. You could also use a second bucket for trash, if you have it, (keeps the sticky caulked up rags and rubber strips from getting everything else messy) - keeps the mess to a minimum

Put 2-3 caulk tubes and all the rest of the stuff in the bucket. Hang the caulk gun on the inside of the top of the bucket (by the handle) so that any caulk drips will fall into the bucket and you always have a place to quickly put your gun. Put your paper towels/rags in a disposable plastic grocery bag (to keep them contained and clean) and hang from the bucket handle inside the bucket. Forget your masking tape. I carry my scissors in my back pocket, handier for me.

Getting Ready: To find out how to cut up your rubber for use (and practice) - get a crisp, new sheet of 8x11 paper, Cut 3 strips lengthwise, 11 inches long. 1 - 1inch wide, 1 - 1.5 inch wide, 1 - 2inch wide. Take 1 of the strips in your hand and lightly cup it so that it curves in the short direction, let a couple of inches stick out between your index and middle finger so that 1 finger rests on each corner. Put your 2 fingers down on a tabletop with the paper down between your fingers and the table top. The paper should be arching up between your fingers. Spreading your fingers apart makes the arch wider and lower, bringing your fingers closer together makes the arch narrower and higher. This arch is going to be the profile of your caulk bead. You control it with your 2 fingers. Make sure that you have a wide enough strip so that there is enough paper/rubber under your fingertips to get a good grip and get the arch profile that you want. Your fingertips can hang over the sides a little, if you like, and it improves your control. You may have to use your thumb (or your other hand) to help form the arch initially.

Try all three pieces of paper to see what you like best then cut a piece that fits you. Bigger fingers like wider strips. When you think you have it figured out, cut a rubber strip to your size and give it a try. They don't have to be perfectly straight edges. You can also experiment with cutting curves/angles on the end of the rubber strip to change the profile, but I always came back to a straight cut. Some plastics/paper may work instead of rubber??? Never tried it. Paper may tear. You can also buy plastic "tools" pre-made. Never tried them either. I have used duct tape instead of rubber, with the tape stuck to my finger tips. It is cheap and gives good control, but my fingers get sore after repeatedly pulling the tape off (the glue tries to pull off your skin, never occured to me to try using gloves).

Caulk gun prep: Make a straight, smooth, 45 +/- degree angled cut on the caulk tube near the tip. Poke a nail or wire into the tube several times to open the seal. Squeeze out a bit of caulk. You want a 1/4 inch - 3/8 inch bead of caulk. Enlarge/re-cut the tube if necessary. If you need to stop and you have a partial tube, use a screw or bolt of the appropriate size to plug the tip (duct tape can be of help)

To use: Lay a bead about a foot long and then work it with your rubber strip. Quickly put the rubber over the bead with 1 finger on each side and hold down firmly while making a continuous smooth stroke. The caulk will form to the shape of the arch. You are in control of the shape by changing the distance between your fingers and the pressure. Sometimes I use my index and 4th finger with my middle finger on top of the rubber center for some situations. Whatever works for comfort and control. The smoothness is controlled by speed and the cleanliness of the rubber tip. When the tip gets nasty, hold it over the bucket and cut it off with the scissors and start over. When the rubber gets too short to handle make a new one. I make several at a time so I don't have to stop (keep them in your pocket or in the bag with the clean rags).

A short length of bead is better to start with. You can have a second person running the caulk gun as long as they don't get too far ahead of the person running the rubber. Work fast, the caulk begins to skin over immediately and quickly gets to a point where you can not work it fast enough to make a pretty, smooth surface. Don't get greedy and try too long of a bead, you won't go any faster and your work will just get crappier. If you don't like it, wipe it off immediately and do it over. Practice makes perfect. In my opinion, lint free rags (cut jeans, t-shirts, sheets) work better than paper for cleanup.


Somethings to keep in mind when using caulk is don't get it too thin, especially over cracks or gaps. It has to have enough thickness to have any strength and really thin tapered edges tend to come undone when it drys. Surfaces have to be really clean for most caulks to adhere properly. Don't be lazy when prepping.

You can also keep a small container of sovent or water (depending on the caulk type) in the bottom of the bucket for quick smoothing and clean ups.

Have fun...

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Old 05-02-2019, 02:20 PM   #22
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Golden Valley AZ
Posts: 1,036
Year: 1993
Chassis: ThomasBuilt 30'
Engine: need someone to tell me
Rated Cap: me + 1
PS...


After looking at your pics I would use a polyurethane caulk instead.



I know that you don't want to hear this, but, it is also my opinion that you are doing the windows wrong and are causing more problems down the road. You are creating what I call dams that will prevent any water that gets in from up above from being able to get out and will sit there trapped by the caulk causing corrosion problems. Seen this mistake many times. Rubber seals should be replaced with rubber seals when possible. The metal cover between the windows should not have any caulk at all.



Caulk is not a magical cure all and has to be the right kind and used properly to be of any use. If it is not leaking, don't caulk it. If the windows are leaking and need caulk it probably is between the aluminum frame and the steel. Remove the frame, clean out the old caulk, and re-caulk with single part polyurethane. Due to galvanic corrosion aluminum cannot be left in contact with steel, especially if it gets wet. It has to be separated by a caulk, rubber, or something else that does not conduct electricity. Stainless steel screws should be used in wet conditions.



BTW, I looked at the description on Amazon for this very expensive caulk you are using and it is used by car manufacturers and body shops between panels and over welds (bare, clean metal) before painting. Although it says it can be used over paint, I would probably use a different caulk. Once again, my preference is polyurethane, just because I never had a failure with it. There could be much better caulks available now that I have no knowledge of. I do know that polyurethane has been successfully used for sealing skyscrapers with all of their flexing for years. I have been out of the trades for 20 years and better products may be available now, maybe not. It is tough, durable, elastic, and sticks like crazy and you hope you don't need to remove it.
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Old 09-16-2019, 12:28 AM   #23
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,831
Year: 2007
Coachwork: Thomas Built
Chassis: Minotour
Engine: Chevy Express 3500 6.6l
Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis View Post
Here are some pics of a seam I laid down today between two roof panels:

https://imgur.com/a/PgOyKDS

I masked off the area, laid down a bead of 550 and then smoothed it as best I could with my finger, then removed the tape. I think the seam is good in the sense that it will be a good waterproof seal, but it looks like straight ass. Any tips on getting a smooth-looking seam over a ridge like this? Would using a putty knife side-to-side give a better result? Is this something that will look a lot better once I sand it and paint over the whole roof?

There are also some pics there of my Dynatron job on two of my windows. Those also seem to be well-sealed but also look pretty amateurish (although I didn't use any masking tape for those). Are there any good tutorials around for this?
I picked up a tube to use like a caulk. The stuff skins quickly so you need to work fast or when it’s cold. I can see where a putty knife or one of those bondo spreaders would work well for wide gaps. The stuff that I was doing was narrow. I used T-shirt cloth with paint thinner to smooth it out. Worked great. Paint thinner for cleanup too.
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Old 09-16-2019, 06:01 AM   #24
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
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Chassis: CE 300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danjo View Post
I picked up a tube to use like a caulk. The stuff skins quickly so you need to work fast or when it’s cold. I can see where a putty knife or one of those bondo spreaders would work well for wide gaps. The stuff that I was doing was narrow. I used T-shirt cloth with paint thinner to smooth it out. Worked great. Paint thinner for cleanup too.
Looks good - I like your incorporation of the bumper rail into the box door.
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