what caulk to use
- Thread starter roccod
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More Info Needed and Forum Background
Dear roccod:
Possibly you sent your query from a pda or smartphone maybe while you were otherwise hurried while trying to finish your boat maintenance task before day's end?
Hopefully you might have picked up from the very few responses (and none in depth), that more info about your project is needed before forum members can respond with definitive advice.
From your profile, you have been a member for a while, but have not posted very much. (One time.) Just to mention that your query is picked up by real-life sailing enthusiasts and boatowner's who are proud to share their knowledge and experience which really is extensive. I for one have learned an incredible amount and have avoided many boat maintenance/repair/upgrade errors by the many excellent responses over the past four years since I bought my boat and joined SailboatOwners.com. Posting a question here is not quite the same thing as doing a Google search and then reading computer generated hits from say Wikipedia or HowTo.com.
So engage the forum members -- and get a good answer -- by trying again with more description about your caulking requirement!
Dear roccod:
Possibly you sent your query from a pda or smartphone maybe while you were otherwise hurried while trying to finish your boat maintenance task before day's end?
Hopefully you might have picked up from the very few responses (and none in depth), that more info about your project is needed before forum members can respond with definitive advice.
From your profile, you have been a member for a while, but have not posted very much. (One time.) Just to mention that your query is picked up by real-life sailing enthusiasts and boatowner's who are proud to share their knowledge and experience which really is extensive. I for one have learned an incredible amount and have avoided many boat maintenance/repair/upgrade errors by the many excellent responses over the past four years since I bought my boat and joined SailboatOwners.com. Posting a question here is not quite the same thing as doing a Google search and then reading computer generated hits from say Wikipedia or HowTo.com.
So engage the forum members -- and get a good answer -- by trying again with more description about your caulking requirement!
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For deck fittings silicone is a good choice. But, never use silicone below the waterline. For below the waterline use, like through hulls, etc. you can use a Thiokol- based polysulfide caulk like Boat Life's Life Calk. It can be used for wood or fiberglass and the boat can be launched minutes after you apply it as it cures faster under water with the absence of air. Do not use it to fill a hole in your hull, however. That must be properly repaired. A product like 3M's 5200 is an ADHESIVE sealant and that means it has glue like qualities which means it is hard to take apart once cured. For deck fittings or items that you might need to remove, you don't want to use an adhesive type sealant. It is better for hull to deck joints, keel joints, etc. or anything that you want to be permanent. Without knowing exactly what you want to seal up, this is about all that I can suggest. Be more specific and I can be more specific in the caulk you need to use.
About 4 years ago, I ran a bead of 3M 4200 in the upper gap between the hull edge and the teak rubrails. Despite the boat being covered for 6 months of the year, this caulk still shrank, cracked and deteriorated. Disappointing... I've seen cheap latex house caulk last longer.
So... any recommendations for a better-performing marine caulk that's exposed to the elements, including the sun?
So... any recommendations for a better-performing marine caulk that's exposed to the elements, including the sun?
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