Thickness of 25' x 3" Quick Roof Butyl Tape QR59FR

Updated 02/17/2026 | Published 06/13/2024

Question:

Hi, I have a leaky homemade aluminum trailer, held together with rivets and angled aluminum, riveted to 1x1 square tube steel frame with 1x2 square tube steel frame roof. I suspect the skin and roof were just sealed with silicone that has failed over time. Or no seal at all. Im inclined to de-rivet the angled aluminum on the roof to see if anything seals the side skin and roof. Also inclined to use 3 buytl tape to seal this, then rivet the angled aluminum back into place. My question is - if I pierce thru the buytl tape with the rivets, will it still have a tight seal around the rivet? Do I need to dip the rivet in silicone so its back end compresses with a watertight seal? Finally, the Quick Roof Buytl Tape roll is 25 long and 3 wide... But the description doesnt say how thick some Buytl Tapes are 1/32 - 3/8. It would be helpful to know what thickness this is. Thanks! Kelly

asked by: Kelly G

Expert Reply:

Hello Kelly,

The thickness is 1/16" for the Quick Roof Butyl Tape for Rubber Roof Seams - 25' Long x 3" Wide # QR59FR.

As for going through the rivet, you should still have a tight seal without dipping it.

expert reply by: Kyle S

Robin H.

2/17/2026

Hey Kelly, how did things go sealing your trailer roof with the Quick Roof butyl tape? It’d be great to hear if the 1/16" thickness gave you the watertight seal you were after. Your update could make it easier for others working on similar aluminum trailers.

Kelly G.

2/17/2026

@RobinH For the most part, it went fine. Being home made, this trailer had quite a few shortcomings; location of the rivets, capped sides kept water from flowing off, so it pools in places, including over other rivets. But the buytl tape worked well. As I riveted the sheet metal to the frame, the buytl tape compressed and is probably as good as it will ever be. It added a bit of height and width so not all of my previously drilled holes lined up, but a pipe clamp helped in both directions.