ETERNAL BONDING
Highways Tip of the Month
By Bob Livingston
 With
winter just around the corner, RVers should inspect their roofs for
possible leaks. It's important to look closely at all the seams
around the roof, refrigerator and plumbing vents, as well as the
feet of the roof rack and the seams for any other appliance that may
be installed on the roof. You should also verify that any seams
between the front/rear caps and the roof (whether it be rubber,
aluminum or fiberglass) are free of cracks and holes.
While there
are products formulated specifically for sealing the roof, there's a
tape called EternaBond that's designed to provide powerful sealing
qualities and last for a long time. The company guarantees the tape
will not shrink, peel or crack for 10 years.
When I first
saw this stuff, I shrugged my shoulders and pondered how a tape was
going to replace a good self-leveling sealer. But once you stick
this tape to any surface, you'll quickly realize that it's not going
anywhere. As a matter of fact, don't plan on removing the tape if
you happen to stick it to the wrong place.
EternaBond
was originally designed to seal and corrosion-proof pipes that are
used underwater - and it can actually be installed underwater. While
there are a number of configurations of this tape, the WB-seal
is the most versatile (easiest to mold around corners and into tight
spots). Its woven backing should be painted with a tintable UV
protector to handle elements and match the color of the roof;
the WB-seal can be used on
all types of roofs, including rubber. A 50-foot
seam repair kit has tape 4 inches wide. According to EternaBond,
tape with white backing is on the way for those who prefer not to
mess around with the UV protector.
The installation
process was very simple with only a good cleaning required for
best adhesion. There's no need to scrape off the old sealer before
laying down the tape, but if you do so, the tape will lay down more
smoothly. You'll need to plan ahead and work slowly to prevent
unwanted tape from becoming a permanent fixture on your roof.
EternaBond, 16 Saint John Drive, Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047; (888) 336-2663.
www.eternabond.com
As appearing in Highways Magazine, September 2000, page 24.
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