So I was washing my PUP with it folded down and noticed a few cracks in the front storage area (small but worth repairing (if you can give me some hints I appreciate it) but I noticed a more pressing issue, I think.
The rubber seal around the top of my PUP has split and cracked almost all the way around the front edge. How does one go about repairing this? Silicone, Gorilla Glue? Dealer only repair? what should I do. Living in AZ, I am not worried about rain getting in right now, but it is worth looking into.
You will have a tough time finding the roof gasket material. I know the dealers sell it but it is pricy. You might have a try at the local hardware store to try to buy it by the foot. It is a do at home repair as long as you can find the material. You can find the repair kit on the web( sorry I can't think of the address now). For now drill some small holes at the ends of the cracks to stop them from getting any longer. The ABS plastic kit contains all that you should need. Good luck.
My roof gasket came apart along the street side and I used gorilla glue to glue it back together. I used duct tape to hold it together overnight while it dried. It held up all last season like that. I haven't had it out of the garage this year yet although I will be in the next week or two. Hopefully it will still be OK.
1999 Coleman Westlake that replaced STOLEN!!! 1987 Coleman Sequoia
2006 Honda Odyssey
Me, Wife, Daughter, Son
A Pack (Two) of Australian Shepherds MY MOD AND CAMPER PICS HERE
I've tried a few adhesives since I got our PUP 4 years ago. None would last longer than a year. Last fall I (again) tried black RTV adhesive and so far it's holding up well. This time I roughened both the harder upper plastic and the lower rubber bulb with sandpaper before I joined them. It will peel right off if this is not done. This roughening must be the key. I prepped the surfaces with both MEK and acetone, but neither seems to dissolve the gasket materials at all - so this probably had no effect on joining strength. I only do about 4 feet at a time to keep things under control. I don't tape anything, just close the roof and make sure the top and bottom parts of the gasket are lined up good and let it cure at least a day.
At 2 years old, the first gasket split was at the stepper door. Likely from opening the door without lifting the roof a little. The following spring was a 4 foot section on the road side. Later in the summer, about 2 feet in the middle rear - the whole rear section has now been reglued, including both rear corners. In all, I think I've reglued about 75% of the gasket (some places 2 or 3 times)
I figure a replacement gasket is going to separate in the same way after a couple years so would be a wasted investment. I have a little experience with "co-extrusion" and sometimes the different materials just don't bond well when extruded. With the right adhesive and prep procedure, I might be able to fix the gasket for good. Wish me luck.
2001 V6 Highlander, 2002 Coleman Sun Valley, Single Bar WD, Tranny Temp Gage, Prodigy Brake Control
In my experience, your roughing up of the materials did the trick, one other aspect I would cover would be to be sure no oils from your hands are left behind, by cleaning with rubbing alcohol after you have roughed up both sides with say 150 grit sandpaper or emory cloth.
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