An RV isn’t just a great way to get around—it’s also a place with a lot of corners. And if your RV is going to keep you warm, dry and out of the rain, it’s vital that your corners and trim remain locked away from the outside world. When simple repairs won’t do, it’s time to think about total replacement. Here’s everything you need to know about trim and RV corner molding replacement.
When Is It Time To Replace?
The simple job of molding and trim is to keep water out of your RV. When it’s no longer capable of doing that, it’s time to think about RV trim replacement. However, you shouldn’t wait around until you notice a leak to make the change. Doing so can lead to water damage—and you don’t want to find out about water damage when it’s already raining.
So why does molding and trim damage happen, and what does it look like? Here are a few signs that it’s ready for replacement:
- Drying out or cracking: Even RV’s are susceptible to aging, and that includes something as simple as your molding and trim. If your trim looks old, there’s a good chance that its performance will be just the same.
- Brittleness: Even if there’s no cracking, give your trim an occasional feel. Does it feel like something that would keep water out, or is it too brittle to be of much use? If it’s brittle, that’s a sure sign of aging, which means that it’s time to consider replacement.
The good news is that knowing is half the battle. The other half is much simpler than you might think.
Replacing RV Corner Molding & Trim
Ever hear of the phrase “measure twice and cut once”? The same logic applies here—even if you aren’t making any cuts necessarily. In other words, the key to a successful replacement of your molding and trim is to know exactly what measurements you’re dealing with. Purchase the right size of trim to correspond to the sections that need replacing. When in doubt, measure the old trim—but be careful to remember it might have changed a bit over time. Here are the other key steps to remember along the way:
- Remove the old trim. Pull it out—piece by piece if you have to—being careful to
make sure you get it all. Hopefully, it’s not so brittle that it falls apart as you remove it. - Insert the new trim and secure. If you need to add a new screw, then do so. It will be worth the extra bit of effort to prevent future headaches.
- Seal any gaps, including the ends. Here’s where a quality RV sealant comes into play. Match the sealant to the type of material you’re working with and you’ll have no trouble creating a piece of trim that’s fully sealed from the outside world.
Stock Up On Quality RV Maintenance Products
Need help along the way? It doesn’t hurt to have the right RV products in your corner as you improve the quality of your RV’s seals.
