Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-17-2013, 09:29 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 66
Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

Just got a new SMB built from SMB Texas this May. I'm feeling the need to cover the top penthouse bolts and washers with something to prevent them from rusting. I've got a pint of glossy black rustoleum and I also have a rattle can of Plasti-dip.

Is either of these a bad idea? I imagine the rustoleum could make removing the bolt tougher.
The plasti-dip can be peeled off easily, but then I worry that it might actually make things worse if water can get under it and be trapped again the metal.

Anyone have input?

Thanks,
Mike

skijunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 06:58 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

The top penthouse bolts should have plastic caps. Are you talking about instead of, or under the caps or what?

__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 07:33 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

I'm not sure you need to do anything. In 9 years mine have not rusted or corroded in the SF Bay area and all the places we have traveled.

If your top is painted, wax the top and the bolts a couple of times a year. If your top is gelcoated, use a marine sealant 1-2 times a year. If you have the textured top, use what you are comfortable with. I would caution you not to block the channel and cause water to pool more by the bolts.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 11:29 AM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 66
Re: Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

I should have mentioned the SMB has to sit in the driveway uncovered. That's the reason I'm feeling the need to protect them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jage
The top penthouse bolts should have plastic caps. Are you talking about instead of, or under the caps or what?
I was thinking, remove the cap, paint, replace the cap. From the picture you added maybe just protecting the exposed metal of the flat washers would be enough.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
If your top is painted, wax the top and the bolts a couple of times a year. If your top is gelcoated, use a marine sealant 1-2 times a year. If you have the textured top, use what you are comfortable with. I would caution you not to block the channel and cause water to pool more by the bolts.
I have a white top so I assume just gelcoated. I will have to look into the marine sealant. Thanks for the tip.
skijunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 06:03 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
larrie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Oregon Ciry Oregon
Posts: 2,843
Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

Not sure you need to do anything either. I replaced some of the penthouse bolts on my 89 as part of my solar project. The nut and hardware under the plastic were in good shape. The washers had some top rust where they were exposed but it was not serious. As long as the water is not trapped on top of the washer you should be fine.
__________________
Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.
larrie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2013, 06:22 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Bay CA
Posts: 1,078
Re: Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

My van has a gelcoated top, and one of the washers rusted quite a bit. But only one (probably not galvanized), and that was since 2001. And the rust didn't really matter; I couldn't see it, only the birds could.

After developing some crazing in the gelcoat, I decided to bedliner the whole top, which I did with Monstaliner. I just painted over all the caps and washers. If I need to get it off I can, and I did the prep work to insure it stuck (primer, etc).

I'd just watch them, and take action as necessary. You'll probably have more pressing maintenance issues to worry about...and in any case, isn't SMB bedcoating the tops now anyway?
__________________
2001 Ford E250 Sportsmobile with Salem-Kroger 4x4 conversion
rob_gendreau is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2013, 08:10 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 9
Re: Paint or Plasti-dip on penthouse bolts? Bad idea?

One more suggestion would be to replace the originals with stainless steel bolts.
Remove an old one to determine the correct length, then use a stainless fender washer
and a stainless or chrome plated brass acorn nut on the topside.
Use a good sealant under the washer. Maybe something like 3M 5200.
Philip
shellback is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.