TheSamba.com :: View topic - Putty on rear of overhead vent cover plate

Tue May 02, 2006 4:25 pm

The overhead air vent uses a type of putty along the bottom for sealing. Is this putty a regularly available product? What is it called?

The black "friction tape" used on the other 3 sides is available at Home Depot. Example:

(The black friction tape should only be on 3 sides, not the bottom side of the plate)

More reference material:
The answer to this question is that the material used on the bottom is called D-19 Tape and is very similar to "Strip Caulk" or "Butyl Tape".
This is sold at marine supply houses or window supply houses

One example:
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/caulks-sealants/48463.htm

The original screws to hold the plate are:
4 X .70 thread pitch.

Tue May 02, 2006 4:37 pm

i am guessing that the putty is autobody caulk of some sort. i have seen it at my local paint store. it is sold in a box where it is rolled out in strips that are about the size of a pencil. seemed it was faily priced as well.
i have always wondered why they used the caulk stuff only on the bottom edge.

Tue May 02, 2006 4:57 pm

Most bodyshops call it "dumb-dumb" its used as a type of seal a will stay soft for a long time. You should be able to get it from a paint supply house.

Tue May 02, 2006 5:00 pm

Dum-dum putty and the rolls of flexible stuff sound familiar, I will go to the store.

Thanks.

Tue May 02, 2006 5:02 pm

abeed wrote: i have always wondered why they used the caulk stuff only on the bottom edge.
I thought it was more water-proof for condensation or rain water that gets in. It will roll down the plate then off the putty and out the inlet.

Tue May 02, 2006 5:03 pm

yes,at dealerships it was also called"elephant shit" dum-dum sounds more PC

Tue May 02, 2006 7:28 pm

RV and trailer supplies have it. It's called dum-dum or dumb-dumb.

Tue May 02, 2006 7:47 pm

Check up in the forward most area of the overhead vent... there are gaps there that were originally caulked with some sort of goop or dum dum... but 30-40 years later the caulking is gone which means even if the rest of your seals are good, the fresh air will blow in above the headliner, if there is a headliner.

I really need to seal that up on my 61, so I can stop running tape over the inlet in winter.

Tue May 02, 2006 7:57 pm

Yes, that stuff is seam sealer. I did that already, it worked very well.

Messy stuff

Tue May 02, 2006 9:22 pm

EverettB wrote: The overhead air vent uses a type of putty along the bottom for sealing. Is this putty a regularly available product? What is it called?

The black "friction tape" used on the other 3 sides is available at Home Depot. Example:

I thought the friction tape was only used on three of the four sides?
I'm doing the seals in our '56 Westy right now so post the info of the goop you get for the lower seal on the freshair vent.

Tue May 02, 2006 11:18 pm

campingbox wrote: I thought the friction tape was only used on three of the four sides? I'm doing the seals in our '56 Westy right now so post the info of the goop you get for the lower seal on the freshair vent.
Correct, that's why I need the grey putty.

Wed May 03, 2006 9:21 am

The dum-dum is also used around the Westy windows. BTW when the air box caulk on the sides and floor are missing it allows water (even with the flap closed) to run around the inside water gutter throughout the bus and is the leading cause of cancer rust between the roof sheet and the gutter steel. It drains at the rear hatch (and accumulates) and also into the parcel tray on both outboard pillars.

Wed May 03, 2006 9:32 am

plumbers putty is the same stuff.

I scavenged from several over head vent covers to get a perfect set of og rubber seals for the double cab.... cause I know you all will look!

Wed May 03, 2006 10:02 am

I just threw away 10 lbs of dumb dumb from work, we use it while fix-n airplanes, its great for rigg-n doors, you can see whats hitting where and how deep.

Wed May 03, 2006 10:03 am

Barry Lynn wrote: The dum-dum is also used around the Westy windows.

Not to hijack but... one big flaw I saw in the frame of the westy windows is the fact that it's hollow. No matter how good a seal you have this allows water to collect inside there and of course, rust developes without an obvious sign. That is until you remove them and see the damage! :?

I made solid aluminum frames for mine and use caulking between them and the window opening. The very little water that gets in there now dries or "flies" out after a short drive. 8)

Wed May 03, 2006 10:13 am

In my opinion the plumber's putty is not anywhere near as sticky but I guess it would smoosh as well and clean off easier.

Pyro, what is hollow? My Westy's are solid around the perimeter where the screw holes are.

Wed May 03, 2006 10:35 am

Barry Lynn wrote: In my opinion the plumber's putty is not anywhere near as sticky but I guess it would smoosh as well and clean off easier.

Pyro, what is hollow? My Westy's are solid around the perimeter where the screw holes are.

There is a frame that fits in the opening where a popout window goes. The westy window then screws into this frame. That frame, about 5/8" wide, is hollow. 8)

The windows that are used on panels, for obvious reasons, do not have this frame and are screwed right into the skin of the bus. :wink:

Wed May 03, 2006 10:47 am

i dont think plumbers putty would be a good option either. the putty i have is almost greasey feeling. it is not nearly as sticky as the body caulk.
everett,
did you find the stuff at the paint store?

Wed May 03, 2006 12:48 pm

Quote: The overhead air vent uses a type of putty along the bottom for sealing. Is this putty a regularly available product? What is it called?
The stuff you're looking for is 3M Strip Caulk #08578, it comes in a long flat blue box and is ideal for things like this.

Wed May 03, 2006 1:05 pm

Butyl strip-caulk.
Napa part# 4424
1/8 inch rope-type sealer/caulk
Just grabbed the part# out of my warehouse.