I've had mixed results with the rubbing alcohol thing myself—sometimes it seems to hold up longer, other times it's a total bust. But honestly, when it comes to aluminum flashing, prep is key. Learned that the hard way after a storm peeled off my quick-fix job from the garage roof. Second time around, I took my time cleaning and scuffing the surface properly... still holding strong two winters later. Could be luck, could be prep—but hey, whatever works, right?
I've had similar ups and downs with quick fixes. A while back, I rushed through patching some flashing at my uncle's place—figured it was good enough. Nope... next big rainstorm, it was flapping around like crazy. Ended up going back, cleaning it properly, and using a decent roofing adhesive instead of relying just on sealant. It's been solid ever since, even through some nasty weather. Definitely agree prep makes the difference, but sometimes it's also about using the right products for the job.
"Definitely agree prep makes the difference, but sometimes it's also about using the right products for the job."
Yeah, learned that one the hard way myself. A couple years ago I inspected a house where the owner had patched aluminum flashing with duct tape—no joke. Looked okay at first glance, but one good storm and it peeled off like cheap wallpaper. Proper cleaning and a quality adhesive or roofing nails can save you from revisiting your handiwork in the rain... trust me on this one.
Yeah, duct tape on flashing is a classic DIY fail... seen it more times than I'd like to admit. Honestly, aluminum flashing expands and contracts with temperature changes, so you really need something flexible but durable—like a good roofing sealant or proper flashing tape. Prep is key too; gotta clean off dirt and oxidation first or even the best products won't stick long-term. Learned that lesson early on, thankfully before I had to redo my own work in the pouring rain.
I agree duct tape is rarely a good solution for flashing. A few years back, I inherited a property that had been "maintained" by a DIY enthusiast. The flashing around the chimney was sealed with layers of duct tape and some kind of silicone caulk—probably whatever was on sale at the hardware store. Predictably, it failed during the first heavy rainstorm. After peeling off the mess, it was clear they'd skipped proper surface prep entirely. Oxidation everywhere, dirt buildup, and zero adhesion left from the tape.
While I understand the temptation to go for a quick fix, especially when budgets are tight, aluminum flashing needs something specifically formulated to handle thermal expansion and contraction. Roofing sealant or specialized flashing tape is definitely the way to go. And yes, thorough cleaning beforehand can't be overlooked. Learned that one the hard way myself.
