Self Fit Rooflight Warning. (1 Viewer)

[Tootles]

After taking the best advice last March, (*FUNSTERS*), I bought a new Heki rooflight for our old Hymer. The original 'pop up' model was getting really old, very discoloured, and frankly, brittle.
All went according to plan, and the Heki became part and parcel of the truck, (following a nervous period checking for leaks). No problems at all until November, when I noticed a .....'dreaded drip'. Didn't amount to much, but with the winter in full swing, I dropped the truck off for repair with Stewart Morley of Pilling, Lancashire.
He repaired, and reported thus:- My fitting had been fine, roof prepared properly, and the correct sealant used, Sykaflex 512. However, Stewart found that the Sykaflex had not taken to the roof light, because, (it seems), I had neglected to clean off the brand new unit with meths. When these plastic units are manufactured, they are sprayed with a silicon release agent, so they don't stick to the mould. This had stopped my sealant from adhering to the Heki, and completing a good bond, resulting in eventual water 'creep' over the plastic lip. A big job for a small oversight.

 

[Phill D]

oops. ..... hope it was not too expensive to sort

 

[SMB]

Hope it didn't cost too much Tootles but at least you have passed it on for others. If it had been a tank it probably wouldn't have mattered so much

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[vin0114]

thanks toots for heads-up, will def clean any new units beforehand now, now a dedicated meths user

Vin

 

[hilldweller]

That's hard luck.

 

[Lenny HB]

Perhaps someone should tell Autotrail, always seing reports of them with leaky Heki's, British built par for the course.

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[Tootles]

oops. ..... hope it was not too expensive to sort

Well, he repaired it, and also fitted a new unit I had already bought for the loo, secured some of the insulation roof panels that had 'moved' slightly by becoming unstuck from the roof. £140 total, which I thought was very fair. Because I wasnt in 'a rush', he took his time over six weeks, kept the truck inside the workshop whilst I was in hospital, which was a great weight off our minds. Cant fault his attitude, nor his work.

 

[Wildbill]

so sorry to her that toots but the man who hasn't mad a mistake hasn't done any thing
bill

 

[Taran_Las]

Thanks for passing on your experience Tootles.

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[Badknee]

Yes, thanks Toots. You would think something new would be fine really and now we are all forewarned and forearmed.
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What a knob, I told him to clean that shite off first but would he listen would he hell, winge winge moan moan.

 

[Frentchy]

Its the same with PVC window replacements! they need cleaning where the sealer joint and existing wall/frame need sealing

 

[Tootles]

Its the same with PVC window replacements! they need cleaning where the sealer joint and existing wall/frame need sealing

As Knee says, you don't realise that something brand new needs treating first. My error, the fitting instructions might have said something, but being totally in German, easy to miss a meaningful phrase or instruction.

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[Phill D]

As Knee says, you don't realise that something brand new needs treating first. My error, the fitting instructions might have said something, but being totally in German, easy to miss a meaningful phrase or instruction.

com on now Toots ... your a man! when all else fails! you read the instructions... were all the same!

 

[Frentchy]

As Knee says, you don't realise that something brand new needs treating first. My error, the fitting instructions might have said something, but being totally in German, easy to miss a meaningful phrase or instruction.

Not necessarily, Iv' even seen some replacement frames fitted with the plastic protection still on!! they trimmed around the frame and sealed to the plastic

 

[Tootles]

com on now Toots ... your a man! when all else fails! you read the instructions... were all the same!

Your right. I read the instructions on my marriage licence, but missed the small print which referred to me being totally subservient for as long as we both shall live......

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[RS_rob]

I am intenting on fitting 2 later this year & all the how toos Ive read on fitting these not one has mentioned using meths to clean the Hiki
Good job I have some

 

[Phill D]

I am intenting on fitting 2 later this year & all the how toos Ive read on fitting these not one has mentioned using meths to clean the Hiki
Good job I have some

there is a great article with pics somewhere on google used it for aour last van before i changes 2 mini Heki's .

there is a roll of sealing material in tape form that makes it really easy to seal and same as the professionals use, towsure used to sell it... oops still do.. Broken Link Removed

 

[DonA4000]

This is a job on my list so Thanks for sharing

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[scotjimland]

roof prepared properly, and the correct sealant used, Sykaflex 512.

Can I ask why you chose Sikaflex 512 rather than a traditional sealing mastic such asBroken Link Removed which is a non-setting bedding mastic ?

 

[davidbaldam]

Good heads up Tootles, thanks.

 

[WillH]

Useful to know, thanks.

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[Emmit]

Toots,
With regard to your Marriage Licence.
You said,"but missed the small print which referred to me being totally subservient for as long as we both shall live......"

You must have the Old licence.

Mine says the same but it's in size 24 font.

 

[teddybard]

Nice Write up Toots;
I shan't say who but there was a funster that laughed sincerely for about 10 mins when I said I was taking mine to the original manufacturer to have them fitted. So it seems
my bad decision is vindicated. No leaks Great Light
3 Fitted. Cost reasonable.

 

[Tootles]

Can I ask why you chose Sikaflex 512 rather than a traditional sealing mastic such asBroken Link Removed which is a non-setting bedding mastic ?

Because everyone who posted to my query on *FUN* recommended it at the time, Jim.

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[Tootles]

You must have the Old licence.

Mine is so old, it came with a bill for the last supper........

 

[scotjimland]

Because everyone who posted to my query on *FUN* recommended it at the time, Jim.

ok.. but it wouldn't have been my advice.. must have missed that thread..

Sikaflex is primarily an adhesive and yes, sticks like shit to a blanket.. great for many jobs, but roof lights and windows are generally sealed with a non-setting mastic, either in tube like Carafax IDL or on a strip for ease of application and convenience

Non-setting mastic allows the roof and window to flex , and also contract and expand at different amounts without breaking the seal..
it's also easy to remove the window should the need arise...

 

[Tootles]

ok.. but it wouldn't have been my advice.. must have missed that thread..

Sikaflex is primarily an adhesive and yes, sticks like shit to a blanket.. great for many jobs, but roof lights and windows are generally sealed with a non-setting mastic, either in tube like Carafax IDL or on a strip for ease of application and convenience

Non-setting mastic allows the roof and window to flex , and also contract and expand at different amounts without breaking the seal..
it's also easy to remove the window should the need arise...

Right mate. Bet that kicks off a fair old debate........ Don't know what he used for the repair, or the second unit he fitted, but I shall ask. He was employed as a body fitter by a regional ambulance group, so he should no his onions....

AND no 'body in ambulance' cracks you lot....I already thought of it.

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[scotjimland]

Don't know what he used for the repair, or the second unit he fitted, but I shall ask. He was employed as a body fitter by a regional ambulance group, so he should no his onions....

should be interesting.. always willing to learn..

 

[Tootles]

should be interesting.. always willing to learn..

Will find out for you Jim.