Flex Seal or similar prooduct to waterproof a pannier or top case?

[ADKsuper10]

I have an SW Motech Trax Evo top case which came with my S10 when I bought it. I love the case, the quick release, storage (38L I think) and general build quality. I do know, however, that this thing is not waterproof - thus the drybag SW Motech sells that goes inside it.

Anyone ever tried the "as seen on TV" product "Flex Seal", truck bedliner sray, or anything similar to spray inside these cases to makee them more waterproof? Seems like it would also help to keep the aluminum resideu from coming off on your stuff.

 

[Sierra1]

Wow! I would have thought a hard case to be waterproof. I've used the Flex Seal with mixed results; waterproof, but not durable or pretty. If I were to use a spray bed liner, I would apply it to the exterior. Another option is the Duplicolor spray wrap. Good color choices, and easy to apply. I would apply it to the exterior also; extra thick. If you didn't like it, peel it off with no lasting effects.

 

[fred-houston]

Actually I have had good results with Flex Seal, but I am not sure how well it would work on hard bags.

Leakage on hard luggage is usually always via the seals, so since you can not create a solid seal with Flex Seal, you probably will still have the same issue. You didn't mention specifically where your bags are leaking, but if it is at the point of the opening and closing seal, then I would look at a thicker molding. If the leaking is at seams and/or rivets, Flex Seal would most likely work. If you spray it on the inside, this will turn into a regular maintenance task because the constant of rubbing of putting items in and out of the bag will peel the Flex Seal off. Of course, as mentioned above, you can install in on the outside, but it will look like crap. I have never used Duplicolor, but it does sound like it would be worth looking into.

 

[RCinNC]

I used rubberized bed liner on the exterior of a homemade ammo can pannier once, and it's not all that durable; it peels off the sharp edges pretty easily, and it's subject to wear and tear. Plus it stinks, and it seems like it outgasses for a long time. Your pannier lid will be closed most of the time, so all your stuff in your pannier is going to end up smelling like rubber.

It does amaze me that a $400 aluminum top case isn't waterproof, but a $100 Pelican (or my $40.00 Duratool case) is.

 

[ADKsuper10]

I used rubberized bed liner on the exterior of a homemade ammo can pannier once, and it's not all that durable; it peels off the sharp edges pretty easily, and it's subject to wear and tear. Plus it stinks, and it seems like it outgasses for a long time. Your pannier lid will be closed most of the time, so all your stuff in your pannier is going to end up smelling like rubber.

It does amaze me that a $400 aluminum top case isn't waterproof, but a $100 Pelican (or my $40.00 Duratool case) is.

My thoughts exactly. It's too bad because they are nice looking cases (the Trax Evo). Personally I like to look of bare aluminum. Silver anodized is smart and looks good too.

I will probably end up going with Bumo cases or similar. The Trax Adventure cases look nice but are more expensive than Bumot.