What type of glue

[smoothsailing]

Hitting all the forums to get an answer.

My wooden spreader broke and can be repaired.

I need a very strong and waterproof glue for the fix.

Since WELDWOOD MARINE RESORCINAL GLUE has been discontinued,
what would be the best available replacement?


TIA

 

[kenn]

If the break will mate together nicely, I would use a urethane glue (eg Gorilla Glue). The bond is waterproof and stronger than wood alone. The stuff foams a bit when it cures, but it sands nicely.

 

[tommays]

Well

I have good luck with gorilla glue and think its the best one part stuff

I also really like West G-flex kit if you go two part as its pretty flexible compared to standard epoxy and i have used on a bunch of things on the boat

 

[SamLust]

Ditto the Gorilla. Make sure you clamp the pieces together while curing. The stuff expands and tries to push the parts apart. Protecting the glue from light after cure is not a bad idea either. Might want to consider upgrading the spreaders to metal sometime soon.

 

[Allan12210]

Wooden spreader? They don't build wooden cold molded boats with polyurethane glue. Its not that structural and urethanes are affected by water over time. Also the fact that it foams (carbon dioxide formation as it moisture cures) will result in less solid material. Epoxy is the the way to go. It does not give off a byproduct as it cures (100% solids) and is hydrolytically more stable. Use the West System stuff and not the 5 minute kind that comes in little tubes. Mix the resin and hardener together, brush on and mechanically fasten with screws or at least clamps until cured. You can wrap with waxed paper or saran wrap until cured to keep excess from sticking to your clamps.

 

[Paul356]

Epoxy, for example West System or MAS. Wrap some glass cloth around the split as well and wet it out.

 

[RON20406]

Smooth Sailing, I would use the methods described by Allan and Paul. I also like Paul's idea of an exterior fiberglass repair since it will add structural strength to the bond. But, a further caution is needed if the break is at an approximate right angle (ie; as if you sawed a piece of wood in half) since there would not be enough surface to surface contact material for a solid mend. In that case, I would probably go to a furniture maker/woodshop and have a new spreader milled, or consider an aluminum sleeve over the repair. Of course, the former would be preferred over the later if aesthetics are important to you. Good luck and good sailing, Ron

 

[Maine Sail]

Cascophen G-1131 or Aerodux-500 are basically the same as the DAP product and still available. They are however pricey and hard to find in small quantities.

Personally I am not a big fan of glued joints that can be exposed to UV with epoxy. The UV eats away it slowly. Resourcinol however leaves a purple glue line so if you don't want a purple line then epoxy will be the best choice unless the wood is darker like teak or mahogany where the color will blend better. Remember thought that resourcinol like temps above 70F for the entire cure so epoxy can be significantly easier to apply. I am also not a huge fan of a repaired spreader regardless of glue..

If you can keep the glue joint covered with paint or multiple layers of varnish or Cetol epoxy is great but bare exposure can cause it to break down at the joint slowly over time.

 

[FourPoints]

instead of the suggestions for replacing with metal spreaders, which won't match the boat aesthetically, maybe you could bore a hole length wise in the spreader (after you repair with glue) and insert / epoxy in a metal dowel for additional strength to ensure it doesn't break again.

 

[Ross]

A new piece of wood may be a better choice.

 

[SamLust]

I change my vote. I'm with Ross. New wood (if not metal). Now the debate over what kind of wood.

 

[kenn]

Having read along, I still think that urethane glue would provide a suitable bond, given that the repair is clamped properly and long enough (as per Mr Lust) which would ensure maximum bond density and strength. Ditto for epoxy.I'm also assuming that the spreader would be properly finished, which addresses the moisture and UV issues.

Anyway, if the spreader is immersed in water for any length of time, you're doing it wrong

 

[Ross]

I do a lot of wood work that is exposed to the weather for years with very little care. Glue joints fail! sooner or later they fail. There are many fine durable wood species available that will work . I won't join a dog fight as to which is better. As far as I am concerned whatever you can get locally that is in the durable wood group will be fine.

 

[Douglast]

marine goop