This is about Dacron Sail Material. I had a customer contact me last week with a yellow boat and a black mast. He asked if Black sails would be neat!, would they age more with UV etc. Well... White reflects more, but black should absorb more UV (why tires are black) and might fade? I suppose black sails could be touched up with dye and would show the dirt less. Has anyone any relevant experience? Jim W
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Black Sealant Resists Sunlight Better
For what it's worth, the Dow factory sealant rep (Hunter, Bayliner, and other boat builders use Dow sealant) told me that black resists sunlight and UV better than white. Perhaps this is why the xx.5 series Hunters used black sealant on their deadlights? And some trivia: Dow sealant model number 995 is used to hold windows (glazing to architects) in place on skyscrapers. No fastners or clips are used. But this is industrial grade stuff and you have to be a contractor to get it. So why don't the marine stores sell Dow sealant? (that's my question)
For what it's worth, the Dow factory sealant rep (Hunter, Bayliner, and other boat builders use Dow sealant) told me that black resists sunlight and UV better than white. Perhaps this is why the xx.5 series Hunters used black sealant on their deadlights? And some trivia: Dow sealant model number 995 is used to hold windows (glazing to architects) in place on skyscrapers. No fastners or clips are used. But this is industrial grade stuff and you have to be a contractor to get it. So why don't the marine stores sell Dow sealant? (that's my question)
I think I know why.
John: I think I have an answer to your question. It is marketing. 3M has marketed the crap out of 5200. As far as I'm concerned it is one of the least desireable sealants to use, but everyone thing that it is better to put down a cleat on your deck with 5200 than 4200, why? Life products are far superior as well as Sika Flex, GE and DOW products. West Marine carried Island Girl products now you no longer see them on their shelves either. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. This is why we have to use Microsoft Windows instead of OS/2.
John: I think I have an answer to your question. It is marketing. 3M has marketed the crap out of 5200. As far as I'm concerned it is one of the least desireable sealants to use, but everyone thing that it is better to put down a cleat on your deck with 5200 than 4200, why? Life products are far superior as well as Sika Flex, GE and DOW products. West Marine carried Island Girl products now you no longer see them on their shelves either. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing. This is why we have to use Microsoft Windows instead of OS/2.
Jim, I can think of one good reason not to...
have black sails. The boat would be virtually invisible in low light levels or at night. Have you tried to shine a light on a black sail to identify yourself in an emergency? Not a rhetorical question... I'm curious about what happens when a light is shone onto a black sail. Tom
have black sails. The boat would be virtually invisible in low light levels or at night. Have you tried to shine a light on a black sail to identify yourself in an emergency? Not a rhetorical question... I'm curious about what happens when a light is shone onto a black sail. Tom
Wouldn't the black sails get awfully HOT
They would probably be absorbing all that sunlight which equals heat and if you ever put your hands on them....yow!......Like a black Tshirt sitting in the sun all day. Maybe desirable in the northern climates though.
They would probably be absorbing all that sunlight which equals heat and if you ever put your hands on them....yow!......Like a black Tshirt sitting in the sun all day. Maybe desirable in the northern climates though.
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