reimo multi rail leaking

[newbie vans]

Is it normal to for some water to slip behind the reimo multi rail and is this a problem?

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

Wouldn’t say it’s normal did you run a bead along the whole rail and extra into the drill holes ….will be if it’s getting into the holes

 

[newbie vans]

I had it fitted so I didn't see what they did. I asked them to put primer in the holes and they said they were using sikaflex I think. the joins on the end bits are not very good. It leaks there but also at some other points. My concern is that if water gets in behind the rail its likely to be a rust problem and I don't know how this can be fixed if it wasn't done properly.

 

[Ayjay]

Just to reopen this discussion, there's a bit of rain forecast here for tonight and my wife just reminded me that when it peed down before during this current trip, we had a couple of small leaks coming from between the Reimo Multi Rail and the van. The rail has now been on the van for 3 years and we never noticed these particular leaks before as they were hidden by the horrendous leaks which came from the gaps between the individual pieces of Figure 8 in the driveway kit and which have now been sorted by using a single long length. I know that the guy that did the conversion used Sikaflex of some sort along with the screws on the rail and I don't really fancy taking the whole thing off to sort out these leaks unless I have to. The question is could I run a bead of sealant across the top of the van where the rail joins it and, if so, what sealant would be recommended - I'm wondering here whether any particularly type of Sikaflex would do the job or whether something else might be needed. I see that Screwfix sells this stuff:

Sika Sikaflex EBT+ All-Weather Sealant Black 300ml

Order online at Screwfix.com. High strength, multipurpose construction adhesive. Fast curing time with powerful initial grab and permanent elasticity. Also suitable for joint sealing and filling. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Qnapper]

I took ages to fit mine and used loads of sikaflex like stuff `(hard to get in Spain) in all the holes I drilled and along the rail. When screwed down and happy, I also ran a bead of sikaflex like stuff right round the top of the rail. A right pain to get clean afterwards, but worth it.
I would suggest you remove it and refit checking that primer in the holes is done.

You could of course run a bead of sealant across the top of the rail and down the sides and hope for the best.

 

[Stay Frosty]

I would run a thin bead of clear silicon along the top edge as if you make a mess of it then it's relatively easy to pull the stuff back off when cured and try again.
You won't see the bead anyway but something like Tiger seal would be a pig to pick off.
I'm guessing the leaks are simply water going behind parts of the rail that some tight git didn't apply sealer to rather than water leaking into the van down through the fixing screw holes, if the latter was the case you would have to remove the rail and refit just to preserve your van and sanity.

 

[Ayjay]

@Stay Frosty. I suspect that's what I'm going to do. As I said above, I'd weather avoid taking the rail off unless I have to as I would prefer to avoid to whole cleaning the current sealant/adhesive thing which can be a real pain.

 

[Ayjay]

In the end, I ran a bead of the clear Sikaflex EBT+ along the length of the rail. I'm pretty sure that the job is now done BUT what a pain in the 4rse that stuff is to use. I'm well used to doing a very neat job of renewing the silicone sealant in our showers and always use Dow Corning 785 (white) which is easy to handle in comparison.