Can we discuss window sealing for van builds? Mine started leaking after just a few weeks...

I put in aftermarket windows with a basic silicone sealant... after a couple of rains, water is seeping in around the edges. The sealant is peeling away from the frame... not sure if it's the product or my application. Really worried about mold setting in if this isn't fixed soon...

2 comments

2 Comments

leof263h ago

Oh no, that's rough! I read somewhere that basic silicone is a nightmare for van windows because it doesn't bond well with metal or glass over time. It just peels off like you're seeing, especially with movement and weather changes. A lot of builders swear by using butyl tape first for the seal, then a proper adhesive sealant on top. You gotta clean the area super well with alcohol too, or nothing sticks right. Mold is no joke, so you really need to redo it soon before it gets worse.

susan_craig662h ago

My buddy had the exact same issue with his camper van last spring. He ignored a small patch of mold until his whole bunk area smelled like wet socks and he found water pooling under his mattress. Took him a whole weekend to scrape off the old silicone, clean everything with rubbing alcohol, and redo it with butyl tape and proper sealant.