Quote:
Originally Posted by tony17112acst
John,
Working with the Proflex RV (clear version) was almost exactly working with silicon. If it gets on an edge or surface you don't want it on, you got to wipe it off immediately with a paper towel or something, because it dries fast, and like silicon, a wet rag will not remove it. Mineral spirits works great on it if it's on your fingers, etc. But I did not need to use soapy water on my finger to "tool" it in. Be aware that it DOES shrink considerably as it dries, but since it's so sticky, I han no problems with any undesirable gaps forming. I chose not to use Dicor (non-leveling) because it does collect dirt easily and it would look terrible on the front. So I do have this fear with the Proflex Rv, because silicon does the same thing, and this seems to have a lot of properties silicon has ...we'll see.
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Hi Tony,
Thanks for reporting back. Lets compare notes on the Proflex RV.
Did you apply the chalk during the heat and high sun of the day? Any chance you knew the temperature of the day at the time you applied it?
From your description of characteristics, what you are saying points to temperature at the time of application. I found the same things you are describing when using Dicor non-leveling and Proflex when I applied the product to sun heated aluminium. Everything changed about how the product reacted, in a very negative way.
I learned the hard way to "not" apply the either product during high temp sunny days. I now do it all inside out of the sun completely if I can. If I have to do it outside then late in the day after the siding cooled some or early in the morning. I have applied both Dicor and Proflex RV between 45 to 75F temp. I actually did use Dcor even colder, but not very much of it. I try not to get above approx 70F air temp or the siding that is hotter then that. I can tell there is a difference between 70 and 75. Anything up in the 80's, gets real complex, real fast.
On Proflex RV colder allows it to not dry as quick. If you apply too hot, it dries almost instantly and starts rolling up in a ball making tooling it out close to impossible.
It is solvent based caulk and it appears temperature affect how fast it starts to flash off the solvents. And, when it sets up fast like that, it does shrink fast too. But, when the temps are lower, 60 to 70 F, it all changes, to being very manageable. You still need to work quickly, I only apply 2 to 4 ft at the most before I start tooling (smoothing) it out. Again with a wet soapy water finger. I never timed it, but you have about maybe 2 to 3 minutes max to do what you are going to do and be moved on. Again, at 60 to 70F.
If I over apply where I did not want it, then I use a rag with Naphtha on it and it will take it off totally if you get to it before it starts curing up. The mineral spirits works too, but it leaves more oil residue where the Naphtha does not leave much is anything.
The shrinking, it seems when it dries too fast, it shrinks a lot. When it cures more slow, I have not seen an issue with large shrinking or any real notable shrink.
Sticky, when it is in the wet stage, yes it does stick. When it cures through, I on purpose use it over the Dicor as there is no stick to it. It is not as slippery as silicone, but more smooth and so far, dirt does not bond right on it like Dicor can sometimes.
Also to note, I use the white and all the experience I have is on white so far. I do have 2 tubes of clear in case I needed it, but have not used them yet. Colorants in plastic I know can alter the characteristics some, I'm just not sure if color alters Proflex RV. I have a fellow Sunline friend who sold his Sunline and bought a Forest River camper, he uses the clear on the fiberglass siding and has not reported any issues different then I have.
Here are a few pics of my uses. I need to make a post on just this.
Smooth rod gun and soapy water
Shore line cord hatch. Old putty tape, cleaned and old excess trimmed off
Gun applied, I wiggle a little.
Tooled out with soapy wet finger
Slide flange applied, giggly a little.
Tooled out with soapy wet finger
Cargo door tooled out
Window flange applied. Again a little wiggly.
Tooled out
I also made sure I can get the Proflex RV off the camper if I ever need to service the item sealed. Both the Dicor and the Proflex RV does comes off. Heat gun warm it, use a stiff plastic scraper to get the most of the goo off without scratching the siding, then before it cures up solid again, use mineral spirits to get the fuzzy let overs. Then Naphtha to get the left over mineral spirits off. Add heat gun heat if it cures up too hard in the removing process. Just do not heat active non dried up mineral spirits, it is flammable.
John
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