External sealant

I was looking over the van today and noticed that the brown sealant around the plastic panels on the sides of it has either come off or pulled away from one face or the other.
I will replace it but was just wondering, is this sealant there to stop water getting behind the panels or just to make it look a bit neater.
Also, I was thinking of using [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] but am open to suggestions if you know of anything better.

I confess I don't know the answer, but I've come across an example of someone getting this very wrong - a Duetto in Glencoe last year where the previous owner had used a non-setting mastic. The problem is that strong sunlight heats the panels very quickly, and the result was the mastic melting and literally dripping out of the bottom of the panels!

I would suggest that if you think you will ever need to get the panels off, use a silcone-based sealant, and if not, use a frame sealer or something like Sikaflex. I know from personal experience that if you use Sikaflex and need to get it apart again it can be very hard work...

Yeah, frame or silicone was the plan.
I can't see any reason why I would ever need to remove the panels, don't even know what is behind them.
I didn't know there was such a difference between silicone and frame sealant though, thanx.

I had a similar situation some time ago with a van which had black plastic covers over the rear side windows (A Holdsworth Villa).

The Brains Trust from another forum recommended Sikaflex - 221 which I used with much success.

Very unlikely that you'd ever want to remove them so you can be generous with it.

Easy to use and was 100% effective.

Good prices on Ebay

Celticbiker wrote:Yeah, frame or silicone was the plan.
I can't see any reason why I would ever need to remove the panels, don't even know what is behind them.
I didn't know there was such a difference between silicone and frame sealant though, thanx.

If the panels are like my Harmony, then they are just for cosmetic looks.
Behind the panel is the white 'van' panel.

I always use CT1 for all sealing jobs. (In the home and vehicles)

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PB

Please don't use a silicon sealer its not suitable for motorhomes. All of the other sealers mentioned are very good.

Whilst I apreciate and accept your expert opinion, could you elaborate as to why?

Its just not up to the job. Its adhesive properties aren't good, it goes mouldy, the rubbery consistency doesn't give a good seal when the vehicle is flexing as you drive and there are many more, much better sealants. You will not find manufacturers using silicon they will all use one of the other types mentioned such as sikaflex.

I think the trend of the advice here is to do the job properly.................................... and do it just once.

Yeh I get that TonyT, I'm just a bit OCD about knowing why, 'Because' has never been good enough for me.
Thanx Ubuntu, I will take your sage advice and use Sikaflex.