Definitely agree on prep—learned that the hard way after my "quick fix" turned into a weekend redo. I've used Geocel ProFlex RV sealant before; cheaper than Sika and held up surprisingly well through winter and summer swings. Worth a shot if you're budget-minded.
Yeah, prep is definitely key—learned that lesson myself after a rushed patch job turned into a full-blown redo. Geocel ProFlex RV is pretty solid stuff, especially for the price. I've seen it hold up nicely on RV roofs and flashing repairs, even through some nasty storms. One thing I'd add, though: make sure you're not just sealing over hidden corrosion or moisture. Aluminum flashing can hide sneaky issues underneath, and sealing over them without checking can trap moisture and make things worse down the line. I usually give the area a good clean and inspection first, maybe even sand down any rough spots before applying sealant. Might seem like extra hassle, but trust me, it's worth avoiding another weekend redo...
Been there, done that with the rushed patch jobs. Thought I'd save myself a few bucks and some time, but ended up spending double on materials and losing a whole weekend to redo the mess I made. Lesson learned the hard way, haha.
Geocel ProFlex RV is pretty decent stuff, agreed. I've used it on my camper roof and around some flashing on the house. Held up through some nasty winter storms without leaking, so no complaints there. But yeah, you're spot-on about checking underneath first. Aluminum flashing can be sneaky—looks fine on top but hiding all sorts of trouble underneath.
One thing I'd add from experience: if you're really budget-conscious (like me), don't skimp too much on prep tools either. I tried sanding down corrosion spots with an old piece of sandpaper I found in the garage once... let's just say it wasn't exactly effective. Ended up having to run out mid-job for proper sanding pads anyway. So now I just bite the bullet and get decent prep supplies upfront—still cheaper than doing it twice.
Also, if you find moisture or corrosion underneath, it's worth figuring out where it's coming from before sealing it back up. Had a buddy who sealed over a leak thinking he'd solved the problem, only to find water pooling somewhere else later because he didn't track down the source first. That turned into a real headache.
Anyway, good luck with your flashing repair—hopefully you won't end up like me, standing on a ladder at sunset wondering why you didn't just do it right the first time...
Solid advice all around. One little tip I'd toss in from experience: when you're inspecting flashing, gently press down or tap on it a bit. Sometimes corrosion underneath makes the aluminum feel spongy or sound hollow even if the surface looks okay. Saved myself a headache once by catching a hidden weak spot early... wish I'd known that sooner, though—might've avoided some soggy drywall surprises, haha.
Good catch on the tapping trick—wish I'd known that before my last "quick fix" turned into a weekend-long redo. Speaking of hidden corrosion, anyone tried sealing minor flashing damage temporarily, or is it always better to bite the bullet and replace?
