Maroon Sealant / Mastic / Silicone Available?!

[lagonda 42]

I have a 1951 Riley RMB (my first car!) which is nearing the end of its restoration (took it off the road in 1975 to replace the roof covering...a 3 or 4 week job....ahem!). Most of these had black roofs, but other colours were optional, and mine is going to have a maroon roof.

 

Perhaps I should explain. The Riley RMB is a saloon car, which had a fabric roof covering, same material as a cabriolet. This roof covering is nailed onto the wooden framework around which the metal panels of the body are nailed and welded (yes, the wood framework does get burnt....what a daft way to build a car body). The nails for the roof material are covered by an aluminium moulding, which is also (blind) nailed to the roof; so this sealant is needed to seal between the aluminium & the roof material; vital as otherwise, water gets to the nails; rusts them and rots the wood. You can just see some of the holes in the roof metal for the nails.

 

 

The problem is, finding a permanent weatherproof flexible sealant that is at least close in colour to that of the new roof covering. Nearest found so far have been "Bright red" and "Brick red", which aren't close enough. So, knowing the wide range of employment and expertise on this forum, I wonder if anyone can suggest a suitable product and supplier.

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Two silicone sealant manufacturers we have used on the extension build which I have been impressed with their colour ranges are ARBOSIL and Mapei. I cant guarentee suitability for something that needs to flex as much as a car, or their colour ranges, but it might be worth checking them out.

[lagonda 42]

Hi Craig,

 

Thanks for that, much appreciated. Had a look at both; Mapei range doesn't seem to have anything close enough. Arbo; closest is perhaps "Rustic Red" but would prefer something closer to maroon. Riley's name for the paint colour is "Autumn Red" incidentally.

 

So can anyone else suggest alternatives?

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Have a gander through these:

 

http://www.countyconchem.co.uk/sealant-colours-page-1.html

 

Ruby red on this one doesnt seem like a bad match http://www.countyconchem.co.uk/graphics/sealant%20colour%20charts/ottoseal-s100-sealant-colour-chart-large.jpg

 

Alot of them listed on that site have no minimum order, which seems ideal, as quite a few of the websites I found with a quick search had a 60tube minimum order.. which might be a little overkill for one roof!

Craig

[jeremy 70]

Can you not use clear?

[cRaig 273 1 Cars]

Or another option might be a seam sealer or similar- and then overpaint it?

[lagonda 42]

I'm wary of "clear"; I used some "clear" waterproof stuff to seal the CTi roof....& it turned white at the first drop of rain. Not happy painting over sealant as adhesion likely to be poor and body flexing over time wouldn't help either.

 

As an aside, the wood (mainly ash) frame would be built first; then linen tape was applied to the wood to act as a barrier between it and the metal panelwork. Some of this tape had actually worn through on my car.

 

Craig....I think you've hit the bullseye with that one, Ruby Red looks good to me....thanks for that, really appreciate it.