Owning an RV is all fun and games until the roof starts leaking and you find yourself going around in circles!
In this case, half of your friends will advise you to use Dicor tape, while the other half will insist that Eternabond will do a better job. So, how to determine which one best suits your needs?
To help you out, I’ve decided to create the following Dicor Tape vs Eternabond comparison.
Let’s dive in!
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Dicor Tape | Best for Applying on Curves Due to its Flexibility | Check Price |
 | Eternabond | Best for Multi-Purpose Use (Sticks on Any Material Except Silicon) | Check Price |
Dicor Tape vs Eternabond
Most people would agree that these two products are the top sealing tapes on the market. Yet, they still have their differences, which you have to understand before you buy either.
Now, let’s discuss these variations in terms of use, quality, longevity, and more.
Difference in Use
Dicor tape and Eternabond aren’t so different when it comes to their use. You can utilize both to fix leaking RV roofs, which may be a result of punctures or damages. Yet, these two options might slightly differ according to the type of material they’re applied to.
To be more specific, Dicor tape offers two types of patches and rolls to be compatible with certain materials. The first type of Dicor tape is suitable to use on aluminum and steel roofing. The second one works on steel, aluminum, wood, EPDM rubber, fiberglass, wood, and plastic.
It’s nice to be able to choose the exact product that you need for a certain purpose. Using Dicor tape, you can repair roofs, holding tanks, sidewalls, and more.
Also, Dicor tape can be easier to use to fix protruding things like antennas, plumbing vents, and the like. This is because it’s available in the form of patches, which can be more useful in these scenarios.
Now, let’s talk about Eternabond. This tape relies on the same adhesion technology as Dicor tape, which depends on a water-resistant compound. Yet, the best thing about Eternabond is that it will stick to almost any material except for silicone.
You can use Eternabond on steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood. Additionally, it works on EPDM, most PVC types, CSPE, SBS, asphalt BURs, galvanized steel, gypsum board, brick, and concrete.
Therefore, Eternabond would be a better choice if you want a multi-purpose product. It’s quite great when it comes to fixing seams, roof tears, skylights, gutters, and more.
Yet, you should note that Eternabond is only available in tape form, unlike Dicor tape. This makes Eternabond more convenient for long, smooth seams. However, it’s not suitable to use around curves because it’s not as flexible as Dicor tape.
Quality
If you’re thinking about overall quality, then you should know that both products are pretty incredible in this regard. However, to get the best results, always put the right tape to the intended use.
For instance, I’ve already mentioned that you’ll be better off using Dicor type with curved objects. If you try to use Eternabond instead, you’ll find that it’s too stiff for this purpose.
Yet, Eternabond is the wiser choice for long, vertical seams because they aren’t prone to much strain.
Another thing you should pay attention to is removal. Sometimes, extreme weather can cause more damage to a sealed roof, requiring you to remove the tape, clean the seam, and reapply it.
If you think this scenario might happen, then your best shot would be to go for Dicor tape. According to almost everyone who tried it, Dicor tape always comes off clean and doesn’t leave traces that are hard to scrub off.
On the other hand, Eternabond tends to leave more residue, which might take you more time and effort to remove.
Also, in harsh weather conditions, Eternabond is more likely to rip off because it hardens. We can’t say the same for Dicor tape, which shows more resistance to cracking, peeling, or hardening.
In terms of flexibility, Dicor tape is the more efficient choice.
Both adhesive tapes are available in four-inch and six-inch rolls. The former is great for sidings, while the latter is perfect for roofs. Yet, Eternabond has a third option, which is a three-inch roll, which suits smaller areas.
Check out our quick DIY guide on how to bend RV corner trim
Longevity
When you apply it correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, Eternabond can last up to five years. This works as long as you use it to fix long, straight seams that don’t need much flexibility.
Also, I’m assuming that you won’t face any extreme weather conditions that might cause the seal to tear apart.
Alternatively, Dicor tape can stand steady for maybe four or five years. But you can still increase its longevity by checking on it every three months or so to make sure there are no leaks.
If you maintain a Dicor tape-sealed roof properly, you can make it last for more than five years.
Price
Both products should be quite affordable for the majority of people. A four-inch Dicor tape roll is only slightly more expensive than a four-inch Eternabond roll.
However, these few extra bucks are unlikely to hurt anybody.
For some, Eternabond might present itself as a good deal for its price because it works with a wider variety of materials. Again, this is another fair point that you can’t ignore.
User Experience
Before deciding which type of sealant is better for your needs, you may want to take a look at what other people had to say about them. You’d probably be relieved to know that both products have huge fanbases.
People who tried Eternabond loved that it lasted longer and stood more firmly to repair vertical roof tears. Some even claimed that their Eternabond seams lasted for ten years!
Plus, they’d only needed to check for cracks or leaks every six months.
Yet, a few people faced some problems with their Eternabond-fixed roofs. Due to harsh weather conditions, the bonds were ripped off, leaving plenty of residue on the sealed surfaces. Of course, that’s another common problem that some people came across.
As for Dicor tape, users have found it easy to use, perfect for small and curved areas, and more resistant to cracks. Even better, everyone loved that this tape was flexible, not to mention painless to remove when necessary.
What we learn from this debate is that both products are awesome options. You just have to use each one correctly, follow the maker’s instructions, and consider physical aspects such as flexibility.
How to Use Sealant Tapes to Fix RV Punctures
Choosing either Dicor tape or Eternabond is up to you, but you might still need some guidance on how to use them. Thankfully, applying these tapes is pretty simple. So, here are some quick tips to help you do it.
Clean the Area
The first thing you should do is to clean the area where you’ll apply the tape thoroughly.
Use a solvent to do this, but don’t put it directly on the surface you’re cleaning, especially if it’s rubber. Instead, pour some of this solvent into a rag, then wipe the RV roof or siding with it.
You can buy a Dicor or Eternabond cleaner for this purpose according to the brand of tape you’re using.
When you’re done cleaning the spot where you’ll put the tape, wait for it to dry completely. Then, you can proceed to the next step.
Cut the Tape Into a Suitable Length
In this step, using a strong and sharp pair of scissors will do the trick. However, the scissors might not be the same again, but it’s an inevitable task, so be prepared!
You can always try wiping the blades with solvent, which might require more effort than you’re ready for. Still, this can save your precious scissors.
Peel off the Backing and Apply the Tape
When the roof is all clean and ready, remove the backing of the sealant tape. Next, lay it down and apply pressure.
You may want to take some extra care when sticking the tape. If you accidentally put it in the wrong area, it won’t come off so easily. Therefore, you might damage your roof trying to remove this strip of tape.
Also, pay attention so that the tape won’t fold over itself. A foolproof way to make sure this doesn’t happen is by using an extra pair of hands. Have someone hold one end of the tape while you take the other, then slowly put it in place.
Once the tape is on top of the puncture, you can either press it with your hands or use a seam roller. This handy tool could finish the job more easily and quickly.
Now, you’ve finally fixed your roof to prevent leaks. You can follow the same basic steps to repair tears in any part of your RV.
The Bottom Line
Comparing Dicor tape vs. Eternabond can be especially helpful if you wish to fix punctures in your RV body. To make the right decision, you must weigh a few factors such as intended use, quality, price, and longevity.
Hopefully, you’ll find that sealing your RV roof or sides is an effortless task. Just follow the instructions that come with each product to end up with the best results.