Leaky windows, stanchions, and fittings galore. I'm preparing to repaint my deck and plan to remove as much hardware as possible for re-bedding.:{ I plan to enlarge all the holes, fill them with epoxy, re-drill, and thru bolt with backing plates. What bedding compound should I use up top and why? 5200, silicone, Play-Doh, surf wax, ...I'm open to suggestions. Thanks
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Bedding
If you want something to stay on forever use 5200/4200. If you want to be able to remove it, for whatever reason in the future, use a marine silicone. The problem with 5200/4200 is that it is so adhesive and tough, if you attempt to remove it, it sometimes takes part of the fiberglass with it.
If you want something to stay on forever use 5200/4200. If you want to be able to remove it, for whatever reason in the future, use a marine silicone. The problem with 5200/4200 is that it is so adhesive and tough, if you attempt to remove it, it sometimes takes part of the fiberglass with it.
Bedding Bests
Patrick There is no best, it's what the use is for. Most boating catalogs, like Wst Marine, and BoatUS, will have "Use Guides," as will most manufacturers, like Boat Life. Check out West Marine's Advisors on-line and other manufacturer's website for the best uses of the different materials: adhesives, polymers and silicones. Stu
Patrick There is no best, it's what the use is for. Most boating catalogs, like Wst Marine, and BoatUS, will have "Use Guides," as will most manufacturers, like Boat Life. Check out West Marine's Advisors on-line and other manufacturer's website for the best uses of the different materials: adhesives, polymers and silicones. Stu
Permanent or Removeable Later?
When I owned my 1972 Coronado back in the 80's about that time they introducted 5200 caulk. This stuff was PERMANENT! I used it for all my thru-hulls, stanchions and several on deck fittings. They will forever stay on that boat. Recently, when I hauled my 1988 Catalina 30 for a thru hull transducer, I had a local yard mechanic do the install. I thought for sure he would use 5200. After a long conversation and references to his years of experience with bedding compounds, he refused to use 5200 because its a one time application and it's extremely difficult to remove. He was a proponent of "Life Caulk" sealant and used it on the wooden donut behind the transducer thru hull fitting. Why? Because its a great sealer, dries fairly quickly, and is removeable. I am not knocking 5200 as a great beading compound, but be aware that it is more or less permanent and may not be well suited for certain applications. If you bent or broke a stanchion, it would be tough to get it off. However, if you were mounting a wooden or fiberglass block in which to attach a pump 5200 is top notch. The yard guys have all the experience and it may be worth a trip to a yard to seek out advise on what they use before starting. That has been my experience. Regards Bob
When I owned my 1972 Coronado back in the 80's about that time they introducted 5200 caulk. This stuff was PERMANENT! I used it for all my thru-hulls, stanchions and several on deck fittings. They will forever stay on that boat. Recently, when I hauled my 1988 Catalina 30 for a thru hull transducer, I had a local yard mechanic do the install. I thought for sure he would use 5200. After a long conversation and references to his years of experience with bedding compounds, he refused to use 5200 because its a one time application and it's extremely difficult to remove. He was a proponent of "Life Caulk" sealant and used it on the wooden donut behind the transducer thru hull fitting. Why? Because its a great sealer, dries fairly quickly, and is removeable. I am not knocking 5200 as a great beading compound, but be aware that it is more or less permanent and may not be well suited for certain applications. If you bent or broke a stanchion, it would be tough to get it off. However, if you were mounting a wooden or fiberglass block in which to attach a pump 5200 is top notch. The yard guys have all the experience and it may be worth a trip to a yard to seek out advise on what they use before starting. That has been my experience. Regards Bob
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