A few questions on Bathroom skylight repair

[RorySamuels]

I am in the process of sealing my roof and replacing the bathroom skylight. I have attached a couple of photos.  The skylight was broken when I bought the coach. To seal it temporarily I applied flex seal tape. In the pictures you can see that I have started to remove the tar tape. I know that I will have to drill out the rivets.  Question 1 is there anything I need to do when drilling out the rivets to protect the coach? Question 2: Is there anything special I should do about filling the holes from the rivets other than putting skylight caulk over them? Question 3: Are there special screws/size I should be using other than the obvious weather resistant such as stainless steel etc.?  The replacement came from EZtops world wide. There are no holes drilled in it.  I am assuming that I would drill holes in the new skylight between where the holes are on the old sky light. My plan is to place Eternabond tape over the edges like Monaco did with the tar tape and then use Dicor on the edge of the tape. Finally, the old skylight looks like it is bent to match roof contour. Question 4: Do I have to accommodate the contour with the new skylight? Question 5: If I have to place a bend in the new skylight is there a procedure to follow?  

IMG_0308[1].HEIC IMG_0309[1].HEIC

[Doug and Nicki]

Ugh! you are going to need to use solvent on that. I would try several different ones to see what will work best without damaging the roof. All of that needs to be removed to get to a clean roof. I never use Eternabond or any other tape product on the roof. It is nearly impossible to remove. I would use Dicor lap sealant around the new light. Are you sure it is riveted verses screwed?

Edited January 4, 2024 by Doug and Nicki

[RorySamuels]

Unfortunately, it is riveted. Mineral spirits work well to remove the tar. The roof is aluminum. I also use a heat gun and putty knife. Hope to finally be traveling in the coach this spring and summer.

Edited January 4, 2024 by RorySamuels
add information

[Georgia Mike]

I know when I replaced my skylight on my Dynasty you couldn’t use Dicor to install it. It has chemicals in it that causes the skylight to crack prematurely. I had to use Surebond SB 140 to seal it. It is specifically made for skylights. I used stainless steel screws and 1 inch stainless washers to distribute the pressure so I wouldn’t crack the skylight when screwing them down then sealed the screw tops with SB140

[CAT Stephen]

 

[Jim Pratten]

Trust EZ sent you a Lexan skylight which drills and cuts well vs Plexiglass which is prone to cracking.

I’m a fan of Eternabond but not in this application. Recommend use of Surebond. Eternabond will “tent” over fastener heads resulting in small air pockets around fastener head circumference. Over time, these pockets can get punctured, which granted is low risk, but IMHO why go that route.  I also use Surebond between the roof and skylight.

[RorySamuels]

Thank you for your replies. I have ordered the SB-140. I had seen that video that Cat Stephen attached and a few others. The videos didn't answer the questions I asked. None of the videos had a riveted skylight or one that was covered with tar tape. I was hoping to just remove screws and replace them with new ones into the original holes. Since I can't do that and was unable to find similar installations, I asked the questions, hoping someone in this group had done the repair and could tell me what they did.  Also, so that I could confirm I was on the correct track.  

Georgia Mike, can you tell me what size screws you used?  Were they self-drilling? Are the screws just fastening to the aluminum sheets of the roof?

Edited January 4, 2024 by RorySamuels
asking for additional information

[frankogrly]

I replaced mine a few years ago. Ordered new outer shell from Veurinks. Drilled out the rivet's, cleaned the area with a plastic putty knife and denatured alcohol. I do not use Eternabond cleaner as it will remove the paint. I should have ordered both the inside and outside shell as separating the old one was very difficult. I believe I resealed the two pieces with rope caulk and used rope caulk as a base to set the skylight on. Installed new rivets and used Eternabond tape to seal the installed skylight to roof. This was 5 or six years ago and no problems.

Frank O

01 Endeavor

[Georgia Mike]

23 hours ago, RorySamuels said:

Georgia Mike, can you tell me what size screws you used?  Were they self-drilling? Are the screws just fastening to the aluminum sheets of the roof?

My roof is not aluminum it’s a fiberglass roof so I didn’t use self drilling. I used 1 1/4 #8 stainless screws with 1 inch stainless washers with the SB 140. The SB140 will work work with all kinds of materials including metal or aluminum just make sure you put plenty on so when you install your screws it squeezes out the sides all the way around the outside perimeter and then cover the screws liberally with SB 140. I’m sure you could also do what Frank did and use rivets and Eternabond and it would work ok but I prefer the SB 140.

[dennis.mcdonaugh]

I’ve heard that Dicor will crack skylights, but never from someone who had it happen to them.  I’ve been told by the fewpeople who’ve used it that they had no issues. I used it when I replaced mine a few years ago and have contemplated removing it, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort. I had two skylights custom made so I could use them as a double pane skylight. The inner was about 2” shorter than the outer. Even with two skylights, it’s not as dark as the original was. 

[RorySamuels]

I have attached a picture of the cleaned skylight. I have removed it only to find that the inner skylight is bonded to the outer and cracked.  I have bought the SB-140 and 1" self-drilling/tapping screws. Just have to order the inner portion. Re-read all of your comments and realized that I should have known that the two portions were bonded together. 

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[96 EVO]

6 minutes ago, RorySamuels said:

I have attached a picture of the cleaned skylight. I have removed it only to find that the inner skylight is bonded to the outer and cracked.  I have bought the SB-140 and 1" self-drilling/tapping screws. Just have to order the inner portion. Re-read all of your comments and realized that I should have known that the two portions were bonded together. 

IMG_0341.HEIC 2.62 MB · 0 downloads

Well, that's not 100% guaranteed!

My inner and outer domes are two separate pieces! No idea what years they made the change.

[eddie4ne]

 Has anyone dealt with mold and rot on rear outer corner of skylight frame

[RorySamuels]

It has only taken me 1 year to get this skylight repaired. I am attaching some final pictures.  Couple of things that helped. 1) Once the rivets were drilled to allow me to take off the old skylight, I found it was easy to pull the remaining part of the rivet out with pliers.  2) The self-drilling, tapping screws worked very well. Next time I would use 2" instead of 1" screws. In fact, the ones in the picture without caulking on them were replaced with 2" screws.  Hopefully, in the next few weeks I will finish sealing the roof and then get it to the mechanic for engine repairs and safety checks. Goal is to start using it the end of his summer.  

[96 EVO]

On 2/29/2024 at 3:37 AM, eddie4ne said:

 Has anyone dealt with mold and rot on rear outer corner of skylight frame

Don't know if 'HappyCamper' still follows this forum, but he had lot's of rotten wood around his skylight!

When I replaced my outer dome a few years ago, it had an aluminum frame. 

Edited May 21, 2024 by 96 EVO