Removing Sealant from Roof Radius

[treimche]

I am starting to remove the old sealant on the edges of the roof radius on my 1999 Chieftain and need to find a faster method. I have been using paint scrapers and so far only some is coming off. Most is too thin to scrape.

Since I’ll be using 4” wide eternabond tape instead of sealant, do I even need to remove the old sealant? I definitely need to get the old sealant off of the aluminum channel and clean everything really well.

Can I just use a wire wheel on a drill to remove this old stuff? I doubt this has ever been done to this RV.

[treimche]

Well I’m partially answering my own questions here. So far using a single sided razor blade, carefully scraping at an angle with a little pressure seems to be removing the bulk of the old sealant. Then using a wire wheel on a drill to remove the thin sealant from the aluminum channel is working well. Lastly, I’m wiping with mineral spirits and scraping more to loosen the little bits of old sealant.

Still wondering if I even need to get it this clean, see attached pic.

[wahoonc]

I use an oscillating tool with a smooth blade and a poly strip disc for clean-up. They are plastic scrubby-looking discs that fit in the grinder.

Aaron

[treimche]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I use an oscillating tool with a smooth blade and a poly strip disc for clean-up. They are plastic scrubby-looking discs that fit in the grinder.

Aaron

I have an oscillating tool too. Never thought to use the smooth blade. What’s a poly strip disc? Got a pic?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by treimche

I have an oscillating tool too. Never thought to use the smooth blade. What’s a poly strip disc? Got a pic?

10 Pack Strip Discs Rust Remover Wheel Stripping Wheel for Angle Grinder Paint Strip Wheel Quick Abrasive Discs Rust, Oxidation, Paint Remover (4-1/2'' x 7/8'') https://a.co/d/hRaLPsO

Aaron

[treimche]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

10 Pack Strip Discs Rust Remover Wheel Stripping Wheel for Angle Grinder Paint Strip Wheel Quick Abrasive Discs Rust, Oxidation, Paint Remover (4-1/2'' x 7/8'') https://a.co/d/hRaLPsO

Aaron

Ok awesome. I have something similar. I'll try it on the sealant that's on the filon. It didn't do a whole lot to the sealant that's on the aluminum channel. Wire wheel works awesome on the aluminum.

[bigb]

I used Scotch Brite Roloc disks on a variable speed electric die grinder but a drill would also work. Scotch Brite Roloc disks come in different diameters and different grades of coarseness. Even just using a green Scotchbrite pad with solvent works very well. Of course I also re-painted the radius so I went down to the gel coat.

[treimche]

Originally Posted by bigb

I used Scotch Brite Roloc disks on a variable speed electric die grinder but a drill would also work. Scotch Brite Roloc disks come in different diameters and different grades of coarseness. Even just using a green Scotchbrite pad with solvent works very well. Of course I also re-painted the radius so I went down to the gel coat.

Another great idea there. I'll have to see if I have something like that in my tool box. My Chieftain just has unpainted filon, so I don't need to worry about paint. Plus I'll cover it all with the eternabond tape, so I'm not real worried about what the bottom couple inches of the roof radius looks like. I just want to be sure it will stick properly.

[bigb]

When removing gasket sealer from engines I used to use only scrapers and razor blades till a seasoned mechanic told me about using Scotch Brite pads. You remove the heavy stuff first with solvents and blades then polish the surface with a green Scotch Brite. Much less chance of scoring a sealing surface too.

[treimche]

Originally Posted by bigb

When removing gasket sealer from engines I used to use only scrapers and razor blades till a seasoned mechanic told me about using Scotch Brite pads. You remove the heavy stuff first with solvents and blades then polish the surface with a green Scotch Brite. Much less chance of scoring a sealing surface too.

Sounds like an awesome method I will try in the future. I also have a drill/die grinder attachment that is like a wire wheel but the bristles are a hard plastic. I have used that on engine sealing surfaces too. Works like a charm.

[bigb]

Originally Posted by treimche

Sounds like an awesome method I will try in the future. I also have a drill/die grinder attachment that is like a wire wheel but the bristles are a hard plastic. I have used that on engine sealing surfaces too. Works like a charm.

I have one of those with plastic bristles as well but I never thought of a use for it, thanks. I did buy a Drill Brush kit for scrubbing the tile shower in our house, works great! https://drillbrush.com/