I am interested in sealing the seams in parts of my deck. Does the SIS 440 work? Once you open the tube how is the shelf life? Or is there a two part sealant that will work on the market?
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TDS 440 is a good teak deck caulk, I highly recommend it but there is a high 'learning curve'. ,
1. The teak must be *absolutely* dry ... and especially at the butt ends of the strakes where moisture may have followed the grain well into the wood - applies to all deck caulks. For problem areas and when totally frustrated with the bonding, I 'tent' the problem area with plastic and shove desiccant under the 'tent' to accelerate the dry- out --- a gallon of freshly regenerated Silica Gel per butt end seems to bring the moisture to low % after a day of 'tenting'; of course I start with no visible moisture.
For 'real' wetness problem areas, I desiccate, brush on penetrating epoxy, etc.; when in doubt, dry and epoxy or youll be redoing sections of seams again in a few weeks.
2. Shelf life is very short once you open the tube ... I feel 3-4 days is max. Also be sure to check the manufacturing date as it only lasts about 1 yr. from the date of manufacture.-
3. TDS has a high learning curve and its better to use 'thick' masking tape when caulking for a 'proud-er' fill of the grooves as it tends to 'shrink' a bit more than 2-part caulks. I prefer TDS to 2 part caulks ... less 'rework' on failed seam bonds. DO use a 'bond breaker' in the bottom of the groove; I use 1/4" 3M Fineline tape. Keep your caulking knife clean and 'wet' and slick and at a low angle so you get some 'rebound' to make the seam 'proud'. Dont pull the tape for several days (or more) after application.
4. As far as 2 part caulks that will work ..... probably hasnt been invented yet.
5. FWIW I usually run a 'laminate trimmer' (on a seam following 'jig') with a flat 'bit' along in the groove to clean up the sides of the strakes for better adhesion... just to remove a 'few thousandths' of an inch of 'old' wood. For 'small' repairs, I hand sand the sides of the grooves.
hope this helps
1. The teak must be *absolutely* dry ... and especially at the butt ends of the strakes where moisture may have followed the grain well into the wood - applies to all deck caulks. For problem areas and when totally frustrated with the bonding, I 'tent' the problem area with plastic and shove desiccant under the 'tent' to accelerate the dry- out --- a gallon of freshly regenerated Silica Gel per butt end seems to bring the moisture to low % after a day of 'tenting'; of course I start with no visible moisture.
For 'real' wetness problem areas, I desiccate, brush on penetrating epoxy, etc.; when in doubt, dry and epoxy or youll be redoing sections of seams again in a few weeks.
2. Shelf life is very short once you open the tube ... I feel 3-4 days is max. Also be sure to check the manufacturing date as it only lasts about 1 yr. from the date of manufacture.-
3. TDS has a high learning curve and its better to use 'thick' masking tape when caulking for a 'proud-er' fill of the grooves as it tends to 'shrink' a bit more than 2-part caulks. I prefer TDS to 2 part caulks ... less 'rework' on failed seam bonds. DO use a 'bond breaker' in the bottom of the groove; I use 1/4" 3M Fineline tape. Keep your caulking knife clean and 'wet' and slick and at a low angle so you get some 'rebound' to make the seam 'proud'. Dont pull the tape for several days (or more) after application.
4. As far as 2 part caulks that will work ..... probably hasnt been invented yet.
5. FWIW I usually run a 'laminate trimmer' (on a seam following 'jig') with a flat 'bit' along in the groove to clean up the sides of the strakes for better adhesion... just to remove a 'few thousandths' of an inch of 'old' wood. For 'small' repairs, I hand sand the sides of the grooves.
hope this helps
teak decks do well when kept sea water wet. thy also do well with rock salt in the event of not being near seawater. i have only seen teak sealer kill the deck, as the wood and polysulfide separate as the teak shrinks from lack of seawater. goood luck.
Here's a very easy to use teak caulk and jamestowndistributors has many videos on how to use it. Don't forget to purchase the paper tape that goes at the bottom of the channel. They also sell a great tool to help pull caulk out from the groove.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...d=1518&familyName=Teakdecking+Systems+-+Caulk
http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...d=1518&familyName=Teakdecking+Systems+-+Caulk
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