Wood handrails leak - butyl tape or 3M 4200

CalebD · Jul 18, 2013

Having used both 4200 & Butyl tape I'd grab Butyl tape for most any bedding job these days. Butyl is so much easier to clean up and work with. The fact that Butyl remains elastic makes it an ideal material for bedding between two different materials (FRP & wood) that expand and contract differently though temperature changes.

Indysailor · Jul 18, 2013

I used it butyl tape for my handrails a couple years ago and have been pleased with the result. It's easy stuff to work with, provided one uses a few tricks, like using a small ball of it to clean up the excess. Thanks to Maine Sail for that tip and for making it available!

Ted · Jul 19, 2013

butyl tape or 3M 4200

On the last few boats that I have owned that have teak handrails, I've been using a different method to prevent water intrusion. I always remove my handrails in order to refresh the finish. That way I avoid getting Cetol or varnish on the deck. I make gaskets out of 1/8" thick cork. The gasket is the exact size and shape of the portion of the teak rail that contacts the deck. The color of the cork matches the teak very well and is hardly noticeable. When it's time to remove the rails, they come off easily and clean. No caulking to clean off the deck or rails. The gaskets are reusable and have never leaked in the 30 years I've been using cork gaskets. I use butyl tape for bedding almost all other deck hardware.

Maine Sail · Jul 19, 2013

Brian S said:
I've got 2 rolls of MaineSail's butyl on hand, she'll get her railings sealed up this weekend (hopefully)!

Brian

It will work just fine...

Florida sail · Jul 19, 2013

Maine,

I've used your Butyl for all my stanchions and many other bedding situations. I have been reticent to use for the handrails. My handrails are held down with screws through the cabin top and screwed into the handrails. Will there be enough pressure to seat the Butyl tape when I screw the handrails back on?

Thanks,

>>ron<<

Maine Sail · Jul 19, 2013

Florida sail said:
Maine,

I've used your Butyl for all my stanchions and many other bedding situations. I have been reticent to use for the handrails. My handrails are held down with screws through the cabin top and screwed into the handrails. Will there be enough pressure to seat the Butyl tape when I screw the handrails back on?

Thanks,

>>ron<<

If you apply human body weight to compress the butyl while tightening the screws it works fine but is a two person job.. Don't rely on the screws to compress the butyl use your body weight.

Florida sail · Jul 19, 2013

Maine,

Sorry I just looked at "ask all sailors" and you answered my question.

>>ron<<

TahoeMAC · Jul 22, 2013

Butyl tape works awesome

Brian S said:
I have a friend with a Com-Pac 19. There are wood handrails on the cabin top, and we think that this is where the leaks come from. We also think that they are bolted in with nuts inside the cabin.

Is butyl tape good for a wood to fiberglass through bolted joint like these handrails?

I know some folks feel that wood fastened by screws (like toe rails) do better with 4200, and butyl is better with bolted items.

I have the butyl tape already, and she wants to get started on this job this weekend. I've sent her MaineSail's link on butyl tape already. I'm concerned if she were using 4200, she'd get it all over everything (heck, I get it all over everything...)

Thanks,
Brian

Brian;
I've used butyl tape on several of my boats in the past and presently just finished resetting all ports, rails and deck fittings on my M22 with butyl tape to end those small leaks. It works a treat, easy to apply, easy to trim. I got a big roll from my local Graingers supply for around $40, direct pickup no shipping. Good luck.
Cheers,
CH

Happy Daze · Jul 25, 2013

Would that be the same as Butyl in the tube like 5200?

Happy Daze · Jul 28, 2013

Wow , Thanks!