Topped up sealant on joints.

[Jasz]

You could easily say this shouldn't be necessary in the first place! but I recently contacted AT's technical help line, to ask what I could use to top up the sealant on the joints between the roof and sides, as they held water and got dirty. Their response was to send me a tube of their version of stickoflex (something that doesn't appear to be readily available).
Having got it I couldn't stop at just these joints and found myself going round any others that looked as though they could be improved - this also gives me confidence that water will not get in through any of these joints

 

[Figaro]

 

[tonyidle]

Sealing around the outside of existing joints will improve the appearance and can be used as a temporary solution to a leak. A water seal or joint intended for mastic or adhesive is at least 20mm wide. If water can pass through that barrier a millimetre or two on the outside will have no permanent effect.

 

[Jasz]

Sealing around the outside of existing joints will improve the appearance and can be used as a temporary solution to a leak. A water seal or joint intended for mastic or adhesive is at least 20mm wide. If water can pass through that barrier a millimetre or two on the outside will have no permanent effect.

This was done mainly as a cosmetic exercise and not because there was any sign of water ingress on any of these joints.

 

[tonyidle]

This was done mainly as a cosmetic exercise and not because there was any sign of water ingress on any of these joints.

I assumed that was the case . You sound much too chirpy to have a water leak.

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[The Wino]

I think extra sealant will do nothing unless all the old stuff is removed first and the area thorughly cleaned/degreased. Maybe as a cosmetic exercise fine especially if looking at moving it on soon but I recon it will start to peel off the old sealant fairly soon.

 

[rosalan]

If your intention is cosmetic or attending to potential future leaks I would, from past experience, remove the majority of the old sealant before re-applying new sealant. A previous owner to a van we once owned had sealed all possible areas, leaving invisible excess along each area. As time moved on, the previously invisible mastic gathered dirt or faded and became unsightly, leaving fuzzy edges in contrast to the vans otherwise clean lines.

 

[Jasz]

These comments are very valid points and I am sure that I will have some cleaning off to do. In my case, I have only brought it up to flush with the joint edges, to stop dirt getting trapped in the joints. I also used a tool to smooth it, so hopefully I will still have sharp edges to the sealant.

 

[Blue Knight]

Anything you can do to help seal an Autotrail is a good thing IMO.

I would see if they can send you two or three more tubes.

 

[raysalaugh]

Autotrail have a surplus of these tubes of sealant since they eliminated them from the production line.

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[Northernraider]

A big tarpaulin and some duct tape if all else fails