What sealant?

[Joetech]

I am working on the brightwork on my, new to me, 86 C-27. The sealant on the handrails and traveler blocks my be silicone? (I hope not). I did remove the face strip and handle from the sliding hatch. The sealant there does not seem to be as 'rubbery' as that under the hand rails. I decided not to remove the hand rails and I will refinish in place. All seem to be the original mountings. The sealant on the stern step, which I also remove, also seems to be silicone.
Does anyone know what type of adhesive/sealant Catalina used in the mid 80's?

 

[KingAirDriver]

I wouldn't use anything but Maine Sail's Buytl Tape. That is what I used on my 22, and will use on my 84 C-27.

Works GREAT!!!

 

[caguy]

I also used butyl tape on my C27 handrails and all of the other bright work. Easy to use and highly effective.

 

[captcoho]

Anything BUT silicone !!!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Silicone is not bad stuff. But, you do not want to use an adhesive caulk for sure, because that has gluing properties that make it difficult or impossible to remove the hardware at some future date. Like you'd never use 3M's 5200 for deck hardware.

 

[Joetech]

yes, but:

I have butyl tape from Mail Sail and I agree that 5200 is not a good choice. But I want to know what is on it now or what Catalina may have been using in 1986.

 

[Ajay73]

This is just a guess but I would say it's something like Lifecalk polysulfide. That's what it looked like to me when I took off my hand rails and sliding hatch rails. Like others here I would recommend the butyl tape. So much easier to work with than the Lifecaulk and way cheaper too.

 

[Jon_E]

This is just a guess but I would say it's something like Lifecalk polysulfide.

I believe this is what Don Casey recommends in his book, and he definitely is "thumbs down" on silicone. I used Lifecaulk Polysulfide when I rebedded my deck fittings (stanchions, winches, hatch rail) and have been very, very pleased.