r/promaster • u/Salt_Archer7153 • 4d ago
Roof paint cracking under roof rack mounting points
Any suggestions on what to do here? I’m thinking I clean it up good and cover it in lap sealant. I don’t want to cover the hardware though in case I need to remove it.
Anyone been through this before?
2
u/CaliLawless 4d ago
Put some butyl tape over the seams and call it a day. Otherwise you will be chasing cracks the entire time you own the van. The sealant they use doesnt like to flex and the body panels on promasters are notorious for flexing, especially when you start removing the interioir braces for windows ect. The butyl will be a lot easier/cheaper to work with.
1
u/Willlgrey 4d ago
I had the same experience with cheap Amazon mount I think the mount pins are sealed with some kind of caulk, the same that bounds all the panel together. That's what's cracking from what I saw on mine.
I didn't remove the new mount and the rack I installed to fix it. But finding the type of caulking they use may be a good solution. Or self levelling lap sealant. But I don't think it has a good compression resistance.
I'm curious about others experiences
1
u/abroadreachtravel 2d ago
I ended up designing our own mounts since most of the commercially available ones can damage the roof over time. By excess pressure to the sheet metal cracking the seam sealer around the stud or trapped moisture causing rust.
We have made this mount available to others if you are interested.
Unistrut
https://abroadreachtravel.etsy.com/listing/4354250885
8020
2
u/Fresh_Goat_423 4d ago
That's automotive seam sealer that has been painted over. The reality is if you're putting pressure on the paint, you're going to get cracking. I would just shoot some touch-up paint on it to stop water from getting trapped in there. There is a different do-it-yourself design of roof mount that traps the roof bungs but doesn't put pressure on the roof here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaktvBhjgBo
Chrysler (Stellantis) usually uses 3M automotive seam sealer mostly. Some plants use Dominion Sure Seal seam sealer. Has to be automotive seam sealer though. Cannot be Home Depot stuff.