The Best Dicor for Your RV and Outdoor Adventures
If your RV tires need to be patched or sealed, you’ll need a good-quality butyl tape. After speaking with experts, researching the available products, and putting several brands to the test, we’re confident that the following butyl tapes will do a great job of sealing your RV tires.
# | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
1 | Dicor BT-1834-1 1/8″ x 3/4″ x 30′ Butyl Seal Tape | 9.4 | ||
2 | Dicor CS112B-1 Seal-Tite Corner Seal Tape – 1.5″ x 50′ | 8.4 | ||
3 | DicorCorp BT-1834-1 RV Trailer Camper Sealants Butyl Tape (1) | 8.3 | ||
4 | DICOR CORP BT18341 Butyl Seal Tape 40 Ft. 0.12 In. X 0.75 In. | 8.3 | ||
5 | Dicor BT-1834-5 Butyl Seal Tape – 1/8” x ¾” x 30’ – 5 Pack | 7.9 |
How We Tested
We chose three products: R-Buster butyl tape, Dicor butyl tape, and 3M All Weather Sealant Tape. We also ran tests with a fourth product, Gorilla Tape.
Our favorite butyl tape was the R-Buster. Brent found it easy to apply and remove, and he said it was marginally better than the Dicor tape at sealing leaks.
We used the products on two different RV components: the rubber weatherstripping on an RV door, and the plastic gasket around an RV window.
We also tested how well the products performed in cold temperatures. To do that, we used a heat gun to warm a section of the rv sealant tape that we’d applied to a window and then pulled it off. We repeated this test at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
To measure how well the products adhered to flat surfaces (such as windows), we applied them to a window, waited 24 hours, and then pulled them off. We repeated this test at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
We also tested the tape’s ability to stick to itself, by peeling off pieces of butyl tape that we’d attached to one another for our leak tests.
Dicor BT-1834-1 1/8″ x 3/4″ x 30′ Butyl Seal Tape
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Dicor Butyl Tape is the best choice for sealing oddly shaped joints, such as rounded corners or openings in countertops. The butyl tape is easy to apply, and the sealant doesn’t leave gaps.
This tape works well for any shapes you need to fill, including irregularly shaped joints or rounded corners.
It’s sold on a continuous roll, so you can work fast and be virtually assured that there are no skips or runs in the seal. We found that the Dicor tape adhered better than other butyl tapes.
Dicor CS112B-1 Seal-Tite Corner Seal Tape – 1.5″ x 50′
What Makes It a Smart Investment
If you’re looking for an easy way to seal your RV, this tape is the way to go. It works on any smooth or irregular surface, including S-locks.
It provides an instant and permanent seal underneath the caulk-and-molding system to provide a double barrier of leak protection.
This butyl tape is formulated with a high-tack adhesive and flexible elastomers to provide a strong, flexible bond.
It’s available in a one-meter-wide roll, and the 1.5-inch width should be sufficient for most applications. (If you need a wider tape, you can always use multiple strips.)
DicorCorp BT-1834-1 RV Trailer Camper Sealants Butyl Tape (1)
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Dicor BT-1834-1 butyl tape was the clear winner among the products we tested. It’s designed to seal uniquely shaped joints between panels or panels and framing—the kind of joints that present a challenge when you’re using a traditional caulking gun.
Butyl tape is also a good choice for sealing roof penetrations because it’s flexible at low temperatures, so it won’t crack or lose adhesion when the temperature drops. It can also be used to seal seams in fiberglass and other unique shapes, but it’s less flexible at high temperatures than other types of sealant, so it will be less effective in these areas.
In our tests, it was able to withstand -20 degrees Fahrenheit without cracking or losing its adhesion, and it can be used in a wide range of temperatures. It’s resistant to water, most chemicals (except strong acids and bases), alcohol, and other common substances. It also doesn’t stain galvanized or coated metals, and it doesn’t burn or cause soot or smoke to be released when used with organic solvents.
We found that this butyl tape had the best overall appearance of all the products we tested: It has a smooth, extruded look that’s not as shiny as most of the other tapes we tested, but it’s still attractive. This tape is also very flexible, so it’s easy to cut and apply.
DICOR CORP BT18341 Butyl Seal Tape 40 Ft. 0.12 In. X 0.75 In.
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Dicor BT18341 tape is one of the most popular RV-specific products on the market and is a good choice if you’re looking for something that’s widely available and easy to use.
It’s easier to apply than most other sealants we tested, and it delivers good results, including a strong but flexible bond at low temperatures. This tape comes in multiple widths and lengths, and we found it to be one of the most cost-effective products we tried.
Unfortunately, despite the manufacturer’s claims, we found that it did crack when exposed to -20°F temperatures. Also, although Dicor offers a lifetime warranty on its products, the company is known for being slow to respond to warranty claims.
Dicor BT-1834-5 Butyl Seal Tape – 1/8” x ¾” x 30’ – 5 Pack
What Makes It a Smart Investment
The Dicor BT-1834-5 Butyl Seal Tape provides a very robust seal and is one of the most reliable options we tested. It’s very easy to apply, since it’s thin and doesn’t require a roller. It’s also less messy than other butyl tapes we’ve tried.
In our temperature tests, the Dicor tape maintained adhesion after being subjected to temperatures as low as –20°F and as high as 110°F for six months. It also held up well after being submerged for 30 days at 120°F, which is much longer than the other tapes we tested could survive in that temperature.
In addition, it’s water-resistant and will maintain adhesion to galvanized metal after being submerged in water for 30 days at 120°F (higher temperatures weaken the adhesive). We found it to be very resistant to all kinds of chemicals, too, including water, vapor, alcohol, and even acids and bases.
However, we don’t recommend using it with organic solvents. The Dicor tape comes in a 5-pack of 1/8-inch-by-3/4-inch-by-30-foot rolls, which is more than enough to patch an RV’s typical butyl tape needs.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying
We considered several factors when choosing butyl tapes for our testing, including:
Adhesion
Strong adhesion means a tape will adhere firmly to the surface it’s wrapped around and won’t peel off easily during use. Butyl tapes adhere to most surfaces, but some are better than others. For example, we found that some tapes had a harder time sticking to galvanized steel.
We paid attention to the adhesion of each tape while wrapping ductwork, seams on roof-mounted accessories, and even bumpers, but our main focus was on how well each tape held up during use—whether applied to seams or wrapped around pipes.
Water Resistance
Butyl tapes are intended to be used outdoors, so it’s important that they resist water intrusion over time. We tested how well each tape held up in varying types of weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What type of surfaces is best suited for butyl tape when used in an RV?
Butyl tape is most effective when used on smooth, clean, dry surfaces such as metal, glass, wood, and plastic. It is not recommended for use on rough, porous, or uneven surfaces.
How long does it take for butyl tape to form a permanent bond?
Butyl tape typically takes 24-48 hours to form a permanent bond. Depending on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and pressure, the curing time may vary.
Is butyl tape easy to apply?
Yes, butyl tape is relatively easy to apply. It is often used for sealing and bonding applications and does not require any special tools or skills to apply.
Does butyl tape offer superior flexibility to other sealants?
Yes, butyl tape offers superior flexibility compared to other sealants. It is able to conform to irregular surfaces and offers superior adhesion and waterproofing capabilities. Butyl tape can also withstand extreme temperatures and is resistant to UV radiation.
Does butyl tape provide superior UV resistance compared to other sealants?
Yes, butyl tape does provide superior UV resistance compared to other sealants. Butyl tape is composed of a combination of butyl rubber, resins and other ingredients that provide excellent protection from UV exposure. It is also resistant to water, oil, and most solvents, making it an ideal choice for sealing and protecting against the elements.