Another Eternabond Failure?

The owner asked for a clean cleaning and inspection. Artic Fox built this roof with eternabond tape on the front and rear cap molding. Again, this tape ripped and failed. Again the repair is made more difficult by the application of the tape. Again this tape job would have cost $60. Again the sealant would have been $20. Thanks!

[riccochet]

This does not look to be a failure of product, rather a failure of installation of it. The application of eternabond should be done with a roller so there are no "gaps". That being said, if after 10 years in the desert that is the extent of the damage to that tape. I'd call that a win. Tell me what dicor looks like in 10 years of desert sun.

[gannonfamily]

Glad I am having perfect results with my Eternabond seal. 8 years on a new TPO roof and is just as new looking as the day we put it on. Could be the ZEP Floor Polish Wet look I also coated it with at the same time. Roof looks just as good as the day it was installed. And it is stored outside. 2006 Everest 344j.

[traygar]

I’m getting ready to buy some Eternabond for all of my roof seals. I know that wasn’t the intent of your video, but lasting that long in extreme heat and sun before needing repair is a major selling point for me. If I can get 5 years out of it in the Carolinas’ weather before needing replacement then I’ll be a happy camper. Nice work on the video, BTW, even though I somewhat disagree with your conclusion.

[TK-ffkc]

Why would you believe the factory installed it correctly. I know of brand new trailers leaking. Looks pretty good for how many years in the desert?

[notaperson]

Eternabond did its job as far as I am concerned, the failure is more on the design and construction method used by Artic Fox. You seem to have an axe to grind with Eternabond, it's a great product and I wouldn't even dream of using anything else on my RV. No sealant would have performed better under the circumstances.

[oldcarliol]

I've got to say, the eternabond seems to have held up pretty well and yes I do think you've got a vendetta against it.

[keninvic]

Twelve years ago I covered the front and rear cap seams with Eternabond over Dicor, I sealed the edges with 3M 5200 (would have used the 5200 instead of Dicor on the caps, but dealer had already put fresh Dicor there). No problems in all these years, no maintenance at all, and that is with winters in AZ and hot summers at home. My Eternabond looks nothing like that, it looks the same as the day I applied it.

[scottback]

So the decorative white split but the actual sealant was still intact? And in 10 years of Arizona sun? I’m goin out and getting me some eternabond now! Thanks for the tip

[rickl]

I'm replacing my TPO roof on our 2003 Newmar Dutch Star DP and it was suggested that instead of(or maybe in addition to) using all the dicor on the termination bars(which are up on the horizontal flat surface of the radius cap as well as the front and rear caps, I might want to use 4" eternabond or sika tape completely over the termination bars. I got the impression that's what they do when the factory replaces a TPO roof. I may have misunderstood but it does sound a lot easier than sealing over 500 screws and both edges on the termination bars. Love your channel, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Its' the best part of YouTube.

[PaulEmiliani]

So, in reality, you don't even know for sure that it was Eturnerbond tape?

[donklaing]

Nothing lasts forever. How long do you think this band aid lasted?

[dnlmachine]

That factory "tape" was not applied correctly. It was stretched over the contours instead of being applied to follow the shape of the material underneath. The Eternabond now cannot expand-contract, it starts tearing, and the cracks hold water. Also, any roofer will tell people that low spots in the construction should never exist, or be properly addressed when the roof is installed. The environment HAS to be taken into consideration with any construction. I assume that in the desert, most materials will dry and crack faster than in a humid environment.
Stay gold.

[dmd]

In northern climate ( that is : NO Arizona sun !!!), EternaBond tape works great and lasts a long time without cracking...Love it...

[showcasecharlie]

Sorry..but that crap wasn't eternabond. I have never seen eternabond do that. It was probably a repair by the owner with an eternabond knockoff. Every trailer ive seen done with Eternabond has lasted years and not ever cracked like that.

[NomadMechanic]

Never seen you actually clean the surface after old material removal. I remove all of the old material, scrub the area with dawn soap water in a hand sprayer then alcohol to ensure a super clean surface for a strong bond. I use ProFlex RV sealant and it sets fast and bonds super strong when the repair surface is very clean. Good video on the problem with factory butyl use and cheap lap sealant.

[ixlr]

Love Your Video tutorials. Awesome work! Just find it interesting you never use any heat to soften the sealants you remove. Nor do I ever see you sharpen a hard plastic putty knife to do the work around hard items, one might benefit from not scratching? Arizona for 9 years plus on a thin layer if eterna bonds top layer is pretty good. As soon as it started to crack, a owner should of found ya, for a reseal. If not sooner. As with all things created with stock value in mind, the parts of RVs assembled when clean and new, doesn't change the fact that the installer was rushed, did not have all the suggestable tools available, and is constantly told faster was better for the company.

[Bob-meku]

Was the gap or channel due to improper installation? If it were applied and pressed so that the tape came in contact with the molding all the way around the gap would not have been there.

[dannyhaining]

Thanks for info. I just did use eternabond, Dicor and GE 10 year silicone to re repair a grudge in my RV roof from a huge branch. It was an area surround a vent pipe too. 10 inches along the edge. Took the trim/rain gutter back. Used an oscillating scraper.. no teeth, peeled all they old material, Dicor away. Re set a overlapping later, tucked it in under luan board.. it fit tight. Glue secured. Put trim back on.. used toothpicks in holes then screwed it back into place with silicone dipped screws. Rolled tape with that heavyweight steel roller. Used a thin coat of Dicor over each overlap. Used the flexible silicone over top of trim and screws. First timer.. but it came out better than original repair. The scraper blade on DeWalt oscillator saved me a bunch of work. Didn’t maul my rubber roof

[Brian-osqj]

Learning from each old or new episode. In the market, preparing and planning what sort of RV owner/traveler I will be. Thx man

[mrmudstud]

Excellent, like your presentation and attitude along with your personality and information. Great Job, Keep it up 👍.