I have searched quite a bit through the forums and havn't found anywhere that really says how to remove the old caulking from an all aluminum trailer roof.
found a couple good tip and product suggestions. The wife says "just pay the dealer to do the roof when they check out and fix the floor" but I'm saying "work is slow if I can find the right info to do the job the right way why not?"
also bare aluminum on top, so i'm thinking maybe seal/paint to help keep it cooler in the summer
Posted 2012-08-12 8:19 PM (#146293 - in reply to #146289) Subject: RE: Re-Sealing Roof
Veteran
Posts: 259 Location: Topeka Ks
If you have the time go for the project. I don' t think you're going to find a product to make it come without a lot of work. My two cents, It will take a ton of effort to prep the entire roof so just do the seems.
To remove caulking, you can grind the tip of an old screw driver into a rounded edge. Other wise the square corners can rip and penetrate the aluminum or fiberglass. A brass wheel installed on a drill can clean up the areas. A narrow putty knife, again with the edges rounded, works well. My favourite tool is a cotter key extractor. Many people use a utility knife. Scoring the metal with the blade tip, can set up a marked area for future corrosion and metal failure. Be very careful if you use any sharp tools.
Posted 2012-08-18 6:17 AM (#146422 - in reply to #146289) Subject: RE: Re-Sealing Roof
Member
Posts: 37 Location: Upstate NY
i found the BEST tool in the father-in-law's tool box while I was working on the roof.
it's a screwdriver handle but comes down and forms an "L" shape with a rounded hook.
used a course brass wheel on the drill to remove some of the caulking, then I could slip the hook in and pull away and it was sortof like a seam ripper just pulled the old caulking right out. got one side of the trailer done in about an hour. finished up with a fine brass wheel and i think the repair shop should be happy since they said they can seal over anything that isn't cracked but all of the cracked caulking has to go.
just googled and found out it's a "90 degree pick"