Our Aluminum Beds are not sealed...And there's more...
The light in the crease is actual daylight shining thru the crack
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,337
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From: Lost Wages
It would be nice if it was sealed. I have a cover and a bed rug. First time down a dirt road the front corners were caked with dirt and everything in the back was covered. I never get any water which is great but the dust and dirt gets inside pretty easy.
#2- Put truck into a dark garage, or do this outside after dusk.
#3- Get the brightest light you can find, I used a 500 watt halogen work light from Harbor Freight, and put it in the bed, tonneau closed.
#4- Wherever you can see light coming out of the bed on the outside, then dirt, dust and water can come in. Do what you have to do to stop the light from shining through. Clear LATEX caulk works.
I go down desert roads for miles and had your exact problem. Followed steps 1-4 on my 2010, and now on my 2016, problem solved.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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A lot of RTV silicone sealants release acetic acid while curing. This is why Ford says NO to their use around aluminum. The electronics industry has used neutral cure silicone to encapsulate circuits with success for a long time.
You can buy Room Temperature Vulcanizing silicone that does not release acetic acid in the cure process. It will say on the label that it is non-corrosive or neutral cure. (will not smell like vinegar)
There are 2 main types of neutral cure
Other types that are less readily available are Amine (cyclohexylamine, hazardous and corrosive) and Acetone that need to be used in a well ventilated area.
GE Silicone I is Acetoxy (acid)
GE Silicone II is Alkoxy (alcohol- neutral cure)
There are many color variation widely available, red, black, clear, white, silver...
Here are some other neutral cure silicone sealants:
Permatex 82180 Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTVSilicone
Dow Corning rtv737 Neutral Cure RTV Sealant, Clear
You can buy Room Temperature Vulcanizing silicone that does not release acetic acid in the cure process. It will say on the label that it is non-corrosive or neutral cure. (will not smell like vinegar)
There are 2 main types of neutral cure
- Oxime cure (methylethylketoxime) release methyl alcohol and oxime compounds (not for use with Polycarbonate plastic or for large copper surfaces).
- Alkoxy release only Methyl Alcohol and are suitable for most uses.
Other types that are less readily available are Amine (cyclohexylamine, hazardous and corrosive) and Acetone that need to be used in a well ventilated area.
GE Silicone I is Acetoxy (acid)
GE Silicone II is Alkoxy (alcohol- neutral cure)
There are many color variation widely available, red, black, clear, white, silver...
Here are some other neutral cure silicone sealants:
Permatex 82180 Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTVSilicone
Dow Corning rtv737 Neutral Cure RTV Sealant, Clear
5 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 552
Lmao, so..people that buy Ferraries (race car) are suppose to race everyone on the street everyday on their daily commute, otherwise they are not using it for what it was meant for?
You sir are a true hill billy. Why do I have to have the same reason to buy anything (including a truck) as you? You're a red neck with a different thought of mind than me!
You sir are a true hill billy. Why do I have to have the same reason to buy anything (including a truck) as you? You're a red neck with a different thought of mind than me!
Last edited by Mike Up; Jul 3, 2016 at 02:09 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 813
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Thanks for all the great post's... It seems that there are a New Group of People that are purchasing FORD Products. And, this group is used to a Higher level of sophistication and fore thought of engineering.
That is to say that those people are more demanding and have higher expectations than those who just want a Truck to haul stuff. These folks want the option to have it leak or to NOT have it leak.
These new Truck Folks got the cash, and they want the Service! They have expectations that supersede those who have owned truck for 50 years...
Because These newer trucks have now come to a higher level of sophistication, these folks are finally considering buying a truck...And, instead of you welcoming them into the fray, you say things like use Duct Tape, or silicone that has already been discussed and is a NO-NO. or even to say that it is leaking from the tonneau cover... Cmon' guys! How would you like it if your son's arm was broken, and the Doctor said to use Duct Tape...It is comical and ridiculous.
The truck beds can easily have 4 drain holes with removable plugs, and this conversation would be mute...
I have wrote FORD, and will be awaiting their response...
That is to say that those people are more demanding and have higher expectations than those who just want a Truck to haul stuff. These folks want the option to have it leak or to NOT have it leak.
These new Truck Folks got the cash, and they want the Service! They have expectations that supersede those who have owned truck for 50 years...
Because These newer trucks have now come to a higher level of sophistication, these folks are finally considering buying a truck...And, instead of you welcoming them into the fray, you say things like use Duct Tape, or silicone that has already been discussed and is a NO-NO. or even to say that it is leaking from the tonneau cover... Cmon' guys! How would you like it if your son's arm was broken, and the Doctor said to use Duct Tape...It is comical and ridiculous.
The truck beds can easily have 4 drain holes with removable plugs, and this conversation would be mute...
I have wrote FORD, and will be awaiting their response...
Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 13
How about using duckbill valves?
http://www.valveandequipment.com/cat...ckbill_76.html
http://www.valveandequipment.com/cat...ckbill_76.html
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 438
Likes: 97
From: Toronto, Canada
BTW, I don't live in Toronto, I live in the country north of it. That makes you a wanna be city slicker metrosexual who's nothing but an uneducated hill billy red neck!
My time is worth more than replying to red necks like you. I'm done with you!
Last edited by V8-Coyote; Jul 3, 2016 at 03:13 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 600
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In this thread we debate whether a truck bed should be sealed or not. Completely ignoring the fact that it was never designed to be sealed, and also ignoring the fact that aftermarket solutions already exist to change this.
Community Team
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,601
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From: Florida
Not sure but If the openings are around the wheel wells then maybe me having the Wheel Well Liners may be helping??? Also I removed the drop in bed liner and had Line-X sprayed in... Just may have sealed it up. I am just guessing but I don't get dust or water in my bed at all.
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