Resealing your caravan, Motorhome or RV 

Speaking as someone who fits kitchens and bathrooms including the tiles - I never use water, soapy water, finger, spit. Apply Sealent then use a tool, the results will last a long time. My bathroom - 11 years still looked like new. The soapy water method is used imo by amateurs and those making a quick buck. On the flip side it can help achieve a cosmetically good look, but id question the longevity of that method. Ty

I’ve never had any issues doing it the second method using a wet finger but tend to use a non latex glove. A silicone tool you can also use, but as you said small amount is key, then reapply if required. 😀

Thanks for another needed lesson. You can get a Vitrex Grout Finisher quite cheap from B&Q, it will do a nice smooth job - on tiles anyway, so I would imagine they would do the same job on caravans. I tend to let the sealer dry after using the small tool because the ball end actually leaves a cut line (not actually a cut) that enables you to peel away the excess.

The biggest cause of major leakage is from the deteriorating / degrading sealant under the awning rails on both sides. Because of the totally inadequate way most British caravans are manufactured, sealant is the main line of defence against water ingress and it shouldn't be. Because you can't see and inspect the sealant under the awning rails, as it inevitably degrades and shrivels with time. The awning rails need to be removed and the silicon replaced. I would say at least every 10 years on older manufactured caravans and more often on newer caravans, particularly those made when demand was high during the staycation period after covid. My caravan did exactly this. The manufacture method was rubbish and almost completely put me off caravanning altogether. It is easier and cheaper to make a suspect product and repair faults under warranty when presented than make a quality product at manufacture. Bear in mind that awnings pull at the most suspect point of your caravan, if you put one up. Watch Atlantic Caravans on youtube and he will tell you the whole story about modern caravan manufacture.

I would use masking tape to get a nice clean line

Use masking tape to get clean edge's. That repair you've done will look awful once the silicone gets mucky.

A bigger job but would it be better to remove the trim, clean it all and then bed it on the silicon sealant, then tool off any excess?

Use a green packer gives a nice finish

Have you tried the silicon profile tool?

Great video and super informative., both wit technique and materials used.

I use an old cup or small bowl of water, as you have done a smallest amount as possible, dip my finger in the water then smooth over, rewet finger as required, and kitchen roll to wipe off any excess off your finger as you go along. Do what works best for you I would say, but have the smallest bead as possible is best.

you NEVER use your finger as it gives a very armature finish, use a proper silicone finishing tool as it gives a very nice finish and also pushes the sealant into the gap.

Mark I've got black mould stain on the silicone seal in places on my caravan. What can I use to remove the stain without damaging or removing the seal?

All these bodgy little repairs would put me off buying a caravan from you, you're not doing yourself any favours doing this. The battery box should be removed and resealed properly.

Just been doing a bit of this

Masking tape both sides of the bead apply sealant between & tool up the bead before removing the masking tape is the only professional way to do it IMO

Thanks for another really useful video, it would never have occurred to me that there were specific sealants for caravans! On a completely different subject, I would like to replace the radio in my caravan with one that is DAB, I have asked search engines but get nothing sensible in response; do you have any suggestions please?

Hi . What's your opinion on buccaneer caravans and bessacarr caravans. I was told that buccaneer was the Rolls-Royce .of caravans . Would that be correct. I also heard very good things about bessacarr. . Does a heavier caravan always mean a better built caravan. Thanks. Love the videos.

No water on first run with a tool again with water

Use a mastic tool and not your finger and water. Think about it. You add the soap and water so it does not stick and what do you want it to do “stick” Just use the tool and no water and it will stick for much longer. James

On a small area like this I've used masking tape and a spatula. Peel tape away, perfic PS What is that mould like marking the top of the rail?? Had it one of my vans, only way I could get it off, was to rub with Wet & Dry,

The way you are sealing the side locker is wrong. Only one way is to remove the whole door frame clean it then re seal and re fit.

Can you advise on what to use to seal the underside of a motorhome? We've a 2018 elddis and I'm working my way around with the sikaflex on the sides and roof but I've no idea what to use underneath

Mask it up before sealing every time . Pointless using water .