As RVers, we’re all aware of the threats to the RV roof that can result in water leaking into various crevices of the rig, further threatening its structure and integrity, while potentially introducing (potentially dangerous) mold into the RV environment. While we used a few different products over the years to keep the roof of our former 2005 Newmar Mountain Aire well sealed, we’ve heard about, but never used, Flex Seal for our RV roof.
There are a number of reasons for this, and in this post, we’re going to share them with you in hopes of bringing a bit of awareness to what this product may be good for – and what it isn’t good for, including your RV’s roof.
- 1) What Is Flex Seal?
- 2) Is Flex Seal the Best Product to Use on an RV Roof?
- 3) 5 Reasons Not to Use Flex Seal on an RV Roof
- 4) What Products Are Superior to Flex Seal for Use On an RV Roof?
- 5) Have Some RVers Experienced Failures Using Flex Seal On an RV Roof?
- 6) When Would It Be Appropriate to Use Flex Seal On An RV Roof?
What Is Flex Seal?
Flex Seal is a product that’s described by its manufacturer as a “liquid rubber sealant coating”, but in fact, Flex Seal is a name that represents a family of products including a paste, a caulk, a spray, a glue, and a tape.
These are deemed as amazingly adhesive and waterproof. Flex Seal is actually a silicone-based family of products.
Is Flex Seal the Best Product to Use on an RV Roof?
While it may be used in many applications, and some RVers have used the products with success, most RV technicians will tell you vehemently never to use Flex Seal on your RV for a number of reasons… and we agree. In our opinion, Flex Seal is NOT the best product to use on an RV roof, and we’re here to tell you why we feel this way.
5 Reasons Not to Use Flex Seal on an RV Roof
There are a variety of products on the market for use on an RV roof. These products are intended to effectively seal areas of your rig’s roof to prevent leaks that can eventually seriously impact the structural integrity of your RV. So, products like these are no minor consideration.
When the roof of an RV is not properly maintained, serious damage can occur before you even know it’s there. This is why using the appropriate repair products is so important.
When it comes to preventing leaks, you want the best product for the job. And generally speaking, your RV’s manufacturer has some opinions and recommendations about this very important maintenance matter as well.
Here are several reasons why the RVgeeks and many (if not most) RV techs and RV manufacturers are unlikely to recommend Flex Seal as a first-choice option for RV roof maintenance and repair.
Flex Seal is Not UV Stabilized
Flex Seal is not UV-stabilized, which means its protection is highly unlikely to last in the harsh, sunny environments most RVs experience. UV protection is a very important part of any product used to seal any part of your RV’s roof. Without UV protection, the product will dry out and crack, and the protection you think you’ve established will be gone, leaving your rig susceptible to leaks you may not even be aware of until significant damage occurs.
There are hundreds of complaints online about Flex Seal cracking and failing, and its lack of reliable UV stabilization is likely partly to blame. Remember that RV manufacturers are well aware of the importance of UV protection and are unlikely to recommend the use of any product that doesn’t offer it, particularly for an RV roof.
It’s Made from Silicone
The members of the Flex Seal family of products are silicone-based. Silicone is not what you want to use on your RV’s roof because it leaves a residue that NOTHING else can stick to (including more silicone!), which bodes very poorly for any future repairs.
The Flexibility and Expansion/Contraction Characteristics Don’t Match Those of an RV Roof
Your RV’s roof is a complex environment. The flexibility and/or expansion and contraction characteristics of Flex Seal products may not match those of the other materials on your RV’s roof, making these products more prone to cracking and separating, leaving your rig vulnerable to its greatest threat – leaks.
Because an RV roof is such a complex environment, it’s very important to use the proper products to seal all areas, as recommended by most RV manufacturers.
There are very good reasons why RV manufacturers use the products that they do. They’re matched as closely as possible to the other products they’ve used, ensuring the longest life and most durable protection.
The Movement of an RV Challenges the Holding Power of Flex Seal
An RV is a tough environment. Not only is the roof constantly subjected to UV rays and other threats, but the constant movement of a home-on-wheels also poses special challenges to products used to seal all areas of an RV. Is the holding power of silicone-based Flex Seal up to those challenges? We wouldn’t risk finding out the answer to that question the hard way.
There are Better Products on the Market for Your RV’s Roof
Perhaps the clearest reason we see not to use Flex Seal on your RV is the fact that there are plenty of better, more appropriate, tried-and-true products on the market to entrust with the critical responsibility of protecting your RV. These products are regularly recommended by RV manufacturers and RV technicians alike, and have been proven to effectively protect RVs over many miles and decades. (Our 2005 Newmar was living proof based on the condition it was in when we sold it after living and traveling in it full time for nearly two decades!)
What Products Are Superior to Flex Seal for Use On an RV Roof?
The following products are superior to Flex Seal for use on an RV roof. These products are well proven to offer the protection an RV requires, and are recommended by professionals and consumers (RVers!) based on long-term experience.
Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant
Way back in 2012, we published a post and a YouTube video about preventing roof leaks with proper Dicor maintenance. In more than 20 years, this system never failed us – and we put some serious miles and constant full-time use on our rig. You may also have seen us using Dicor on DIY projects like our solar and plumbing vent upgrades. You do NOT want your roof leaking, and tiny leaks from improperly sealed roof penetrations can be insidious and destructive. Using the proper product is absolutely crucial in our book.
Dicor is REGULARLY recommended by RV manufacturers and technicians, and for good reason. Actually, with many good reasons.
Dicor effectively seals everything from roof vent fans to vent pipes to screw heads to the edges of your RV roof. It’s a lap sealant developed with the specific challenges of RVs in mind and compatible with EPDM and TPO (“rubber”) roofs. Moreover, Dicor firmly and reliably adheres to fiberglass, metal, vinyl, aluminum, and a host of other surfaces not associated with RVs.
Stick with what works. You won’t want to encounter the consequences that can befall you otherwise.
Note that this Dicor product is a self-leveling lap sealant appropriate for HORIZONTAL (flat) applications.
- Creates a secure, secondary seal along the roof’s edges, air vents, vent pipes and screw heads
- Adheres firmly to aluminum, mortar, wood, vinyl, galvanized metal, fiberglass and concrete
If you need to use Dicor in a spot that ISN’T flat/horizontal, they offer a non-leveling version that is thicker and won’t run:
- USE: This sealant helps create a watertight seal along a roof's edge, air vents, vent pipes, and screw heads
- COLOR: White hue for stylish and beautiful RV roof
EternaBond Tape
You may have seen our post asking the question “Is EternaBond Tape Really Eternal?” EternaBond tape is made from synthetic polymers with a built-in primer, and it’s not only supremely sticky, but it’s UV-resistant as well. The bond created between your RV’s roof and EternaBond tape is lasting and can only be broken with significant, deliberate effort. What you seal with EternaBond tape will remain sealed.
EternaBond tape has a specialized, UV-stable backing that, in combination with its layer of advanced MicroSealant, provides waterproof, air-tight protection that is said to be flexible down to -70 degrees Fahrenheit (-57°C). Due to the extraordinary durability of EternaBond tape, once applied, it doesn’t require regular maintenance.
This is a product that should be in everyone’s emergency kit onboard the RV.
- MULTI-USE: Perfect for use on metal buildings, trailer/RV roofs and sides, drain pans, drain pipes, boats, canoes. bonds to a wide range of surfaces...
- NO ADDITIONAL SEALING REQUIRED: Aluminum backing, combined with a layer of advanced MicroSealant, creates a waterproof, moisture, and air tight...
ProFlex
If you happened to catch our post and video on how to replace an RV window, then you saw us using this product. ProFlex is the sealant that Newmar (the manufacturer of our former Class A RV) uses around the tops of all the windows on its RVs. They do this because it offers a reliable watertight seal, and that’s what all RVers want – reliable protection from potential insidious, tiny leaks that can ultimately cause mold and very serious damage to the structural integrity of the walls of an RV.
Since ProFlex isn’t silicone-based, it won’t leave behind a silicone residue. That means future seals/repairs will be sure to stick in place. Newmar’s long-standing reputation for absolute top quality was enough for us. So, we continued to go with their recommendation, and it never failed us in our 18+ years of ownership of the Newmar Mountain Aire.
If you intend to use ProFlex to seal your RV windows, be sure to watch the important tip at the end of our window replacement video.
- Package Dimensions: 17.1" (L) x 14.13" (W) x 17.1" (H)
- Product Type: Auto Accessory
Surebond SB-140
And finally, if you’re resealing or replacing a skylight, Surebond SB-140 is the recommended product to use. Other sealants may react with, and damage, the plastics used to make skylights, meaning you’ll just have to replace your skylight again a lot sooner than you should have to (but be sure to check with the manufacturer of your replacement skylight and use the sealant they recommend).
Surebond SB-140 is made of butyl rubber and is rated to 200°F. The roof of an RV gets HOT (and especially the darker parts like a smoked plastic skylight), and exposure to the elements aren’t just a possibility – they’re guaranteed. Never risk using anything but the best and most highly recommended sealants on your roof.
Believe us when we tell you, you don’t want to risk a skylight leak. They can be hard to identify, and they can cause a lot of damage before you even know there’s a problem. Risking your RV to underrated or questionable sealant products is never a good idea.
Pro tip: If you do replace your skylight, we recommend having two tubes of Surebond on hand for this job. One tube just barely did the job for us, and we’ve heard from others that they couldn’t complete the job with a single tube.
For step-by-step instructions on skylight replacement, see our post and accompanying video here.
- Flexible butyl rubber sealant
- For sealing rv skylights
Have Some RVers Experienced Failures Using Flex Seal On an RV Roof?
Oh, yes. There are many complaints about the failure of Flex Seal online. With due respect to Flex Seal, there are also people who swear by the Flex Seal family of products or some member thereof. We just happen to believe in going with the RV manufacturer’s recommendations and not risking leaks – ever.
With that said, we offer these few online complaints from people who used Flex Seal on the RVs, in an effort to give you an idea of what to look for in terms of potential issues:
“I have used FlexSeal and it worked okay but only for a short while. Maybe it is better when used in a home. In an RV that is moving and shaking, FlexSeal will not stay attached to the repaired surface and will detach after a few drives. At least that was my experience.”
“I have used it. The product doesn’t hold up well to UV rays, and starts to peel after a while. The commercials are overblown. Once you put that crap on, it would be hard to get rid of it. If it is a leak on a roof, get eternabond tape and dicor caulking. It’s the proper product to use. It could save you thousands.”
There are numerous other comments online from experienced users of Flex Seal on an RV. We’ll let you search those out for yourself. We’re not trying to disparage the products here, after all. We’re simply pointing out that RVs may not be the best application for them.
When Would It Be Appropriate to Use Flex Seal On An RV Roof?
We recommend using Flex Seal on an RV roof only in an emergency – if you don’t have the appropriate products on hand and Flex Seal is what you have for your time-sensitive repair.
We choose to keep Dicor and EternaBond on hand, but if Flex Seal is your choice, then we certainly wish you the best with it. We don’t feel it’s the best product for an RV roof.
Just remember – RVs are twisting and turning and bouncing and vibrating all the time. If you have an issue in your static home, you may have success with any one of the Flex Seal products. But for your home-on-wheels, we believe there are better choices.
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Limestone
Friday 16th of January 2026
Gentlemen, Palomino recommends Alpha Products caulking on their rubber roofs. Alpha makes self leveling and regular caulk. It seems the same as Dicor to me. Are you familiar with Alpha Products? I’m long past warranty on my truck camper. Might it be a recommendation to match a supplier more than it is a necessity.
TheRVgeeks
Friday 16th of January 2026
Hey @Limestone. We don't have any experience with the Alpha Products version of Dicor... and can't really speak to its equivalence. There's been some discussion online about how Alpha Products used to recommend Dicor sealants, but then came out with their own line of similar products and then began only recommending them if your rubber roof was made by Alpha (we're guessing that Palomino is using Alpha Products "rubber" roofing material?). There's also one anecdotal account we've seen online of someone who attempted to use Dicor self-leveling lap sealant on their RV's Alpha Products roof and it didn't stick. But it could have been an issue of improper use and/or prep (plus an "N" of only one isn't exactly a scientific representation, LOL).
If you're out of warranty, using another brand of similar product at least won't void that coverage. But since none of the manufacturers are exactly transparent as to the chemical makeup of their various products (trade secrets last longer than patents/copyright), it's hard to say if you're comparing apples to apples.
Sorry we can't be of more help!
Kathy
Monday 11th of September 2023
We live fultime in our Class A motor home. We just saw an RV cover on top of a 5th wheel. We looked it up and they are expensive. We live in a campground with both shade and sun in Florida. Besides buying/building a metal cover, which campgrounds won't allow, what can I use to protect our roof?
Thanks.
roger
Friday 21st of July 2023
Amazon reviews seem positive for flex seal on an RV, FWIW...
Don
Monday 13th of May 2024
@TheRVgeeks, Thanks for the article. I stubled across it, because I'm needing a temporary fix due to discovering a leak during a rainstorm last night. However, I did see some reviews on Flex-seal (Liquid with UV Protection), and they were posts of 1 year for one person, and a post of 2 year for another. Both had great results, and the 2 year follow up was after going through Hurricane Ian, in Florida. I was going to do Eternabond to start off with, then follow up with a Liquid Rubber of some kind, but there isn't any eternabond where I'm currently doing a healthcare assignment. The rain has stopped for today, but will pick up again for a few days, and again for another few days in a row. It's the area I'm in for the spring into summer season. Therefore, I need something that can work fast, until I have enough dry days for a Liquid Rubber type sealant can cure.
My questions:
Do you think I can get away with using the Flex-Seal spray for a few days to a couple of weeks.
Also, do you know if I can apply the Liquid Rubber over the tape, when the time is permissible for the permanent solution?
TheRVgeeks
Friday 21st of July 2023
That may be true, Roger… but we’d doubt those reviews were written after much time had passed. Amazon prompts people to review products they’ve purchased… very soon after purchase. So the reviews likely don’t reflect how well it holds up over time, in the Sun and elements.
Greg Wiechern
Friday 13th of January 2023
Eternakote seems to be a suitable product, but you haven't commented on it.
TheRVgeeks
Saturday 14th of January 2023
Hi Greg. In this article, we were covering options designed more for spot/seam sealing... not entire roof coatings. Those were in another article (on RV roof coating products), though that article also doesn't include Eternakote. We'll have to look into it more.
C. L. Najera
Thursday 27th of January 2022
Thank you. As an avid passionate RVer, and RV park manager, I am so tired of people not educating themselves on cheap products vs products that are actually manufactured for the purpose of the type of roofs our RV's require. I'm currently watching a YouTube video of someone touting the use of flex seal on her roof. A person that has over 100k subs. Speaks of how one must educate themselves in our world of RVing, yet, knows very little about true RV maintenance. (Which shows in the condition of her rig). Yet, her audience for the most part, don't seem to know how harmful this product is for an RV roof.
I'd like to see articles such as yours hit a larger public forum on these such subjects. Thanks again for putting the facts out there!
Tina Jarrett
Saturday 26th of April 2025
@Julie,
I'm in the same boat because of someone "helping" me before I could do my own research on what to use and put that crap on my rv roof and well now it's gonna cost and has caused imo more damage because of
And i really need to know if the expensive stuff i am buying will even work over the damaged even more area where he put flex seal and it literally melted the roofing material and I had no idea until it literally began raining inside my rv.
Because I trusted someone who knows nothing about rv roofs like I didn't but man do I know now. Sadly much to late 😞
SONDA
Monday 6th of February 2023
@Julie, DID YOU EVER FIND PUT WHAT TO USE TO GET FLEX SEAL OFF YOUR ROOF?????? YOU DONE EVEN NEED TO ASK LOL SMH I LISTEN TO SOMEONE 4 CANS AND 1 TUBE LATER IM KICKING MYSELF IN MY &**^%! ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
THNKS
Julie
Sunday 27th of February 2022
Unfortunately when you take the word of someone that you thought knew about RV s and roofs and leaks its very disheartening to one's that are very new/beginners. So what do you use to get off what you have put on your roof(flex seal) so you can use what you are suggesting?
TheRVgeeks
Friday 28th of January 2022
Thanks so much. We're working to get word out there!