http://blip.tv/boatworks-today/marine-caulking-which-one-do-i-use-6222972
Products highlighted in this episode:
~ 3M
– 5200
– 4200
– 4000 UV
– General Marine Silicone
~ Dow Corning
– 791 Structural Silicone
– 795 Structural Silicone
With the exception of the silicone, all the products from 3M I consider to be excellent “bedding compounds” which are what is best used for general sealing / water-proofing. Whether it’s deck hardware, thru-hulls, wood trim, etc a quality bedding compound will preserve the integrity of the boat by keeping the water out, and the core nice and dry.
All of the caulking from 3M come in white, but 5200 is also avail in black, tan and mahogany. I had mentioned that 5200 is a product that I don’t use very often on fiberglass boats, however when working on wooden boats this adhesive / sealant is a must have!
An excellent source for ordering this material is Jamestown Distributors and West Marine
The glazing compounds that I use when working with poly carbonate (aka plastics) is made by Dow Corning. This caulking is avail in almost any color you would need (12 different options) and forms a very strong bond to the plastic while providing excellent waterproofing ability.
The best source I have found for this material is from Sealant Engineering Associates
Enjoy! Please post any questions below and remember to subscribe to this site 🙂
Thanks!
~Andy
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I was just removing silicone from plexi windows last week. What a pain in a badushka!
It took over 2 hrs to do each window.
SILICONE IS EVIL!
I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!
So, from your video I gather I should use white silicone to seal the plexi windows, and 4000 UV to seal the wooden frame to the fiberglass. Yes?
What do you think about Sikaflex?
For the last 11 days I have been working on a 1969 Taipan, removing nonskid that was applied with epoxy, and then painted over. The boat looked like it has a skin disease.
The owner wanted the boat to be smooth again before selling it. After trying 9 different sanders and 24 grit sandpaper, I discovered the Multimaster. I feel in love with this thing. Have you ever used one?
I definitely know what I will be asking Santa for this year!
In any event, the doghouse is finally smooth and I am painting her with Interlux Yacht Enamel.
I have learned so much from your videos, I appreciate that way you edit them, and your personality
is so engaging.
Thank you,
Karima a BIG FAN!
Hey Karima! Yup 😉 you are correct on the process for sealing the portlights. Dow Corning for sealing the glass and 4000uv (or 4200) for mounting the frames.. I don’t know why but not much of a fan of sikaflex. A lot of boat yards use it, but I guess I am a bit of an old dog that way; I don’t like to break routines…
The multimaster is a wicked good tool! It’s one of those things where once you’ve used it you don’t know how you ever lived without it! A little pricey, but Fein makes great tools..
Thanks again for the kind words! Have a great weekend
~Andy
Andy,
I need to mount bench seats in my Gamefisher Boat. Is the 3M 4000 the right choice??
Kurt
Hi Kurt,
Either 4000uv or 4200 would be good choices for sealing the bench mounts to the deck. Sorry it took me a little bit to get back to you; your inquiry was sent to my spam folder 🙁
Hope this helps!
~Andy
Thanks… Good stuff
I love your videos, thanks for sharing your expertise.
Maybe only semi related, but what do you think of bedding with butyl tape?
Butyl tape was used a lot, but it’s what I consider ‘old school’ as there are better products avail. It’s not a bad choice, but I think there are better ways to go 🙂 Let me know what you’re working on and I’ll make a recommendation!
that is actually a very good question! And I appreciate the answer! Thanks for everything!
Hi Andy,I am building teak companionway doors for my 31 O’day with polycarbonate windows.Does the Dow corning work with the teak as well?
I get a lot of help from your videos as I have watched most of them.Keep them coming,there great.
For wood on glass I’d personally use 3M 4000uv 🙂 Silicone I only use on polycarbonate (lexan, etc)..
Andy,
thanks for the informational video.
My beneteau has teak wood on the seating surface of the cockpit. I’ll be replacing it with the teak slats. I’ve heard of a Sika product and 3M 4000UV. my concern is CTE mismatch between fiberglass and the long teak slats. What’s your thoughts?
Maurice
Hi Maurice,
I wouldn’t use either one of those products for seaming between the planks. Use this instead: http://www.teakdecking.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81:tds-sis-440-teak-deck-caulking-msds&catid=12&Itemid=107
This is what the caulking was designed for 🙂 As far as securing the slats to the fiberglass seats, Teak Decking Systems also makes a mastic epoxy designed for this purpose (mastic = flexible epoxy; doesn’t get hard and brittle so it can flex).. I’d check with them to see what the costs would be for a small container. Worst case is you may be able to secure the slats with the same caulking I mentioned but I can’t guarantee that it will last. It might, might not (isn’t what it was designed for). But, absolutely use this caulking for seaming between the slats 😉
I am re bedding the windows on a 1980 Hershine Trawler. The frames are teak and the glass mounts into the teak. I need to get a good seal between the wood and glass and the boat, but it needs to be able to be removed if the glass breaks or when it is time to re seal. Which product would be your choice? Thanks
Hi. I want to rebed the front windshields of my Old Bertram . The windshields are bedded over the aluminum frames. What kind of sealant should I use in this case? . Thanks
Has a friend clue me in on your website… Great stuff thanks
Hi Andy,
I’m late to the party, I see but still thought I would knock on the door! We have a teak cap rail mounted to fiberglass. I have been doing countless hours of research about the best caulk to use between the teak and gelcoat/fiberglass.
Some suggestions have been:
4000UV
Fix1DC with the Fixseal 1060 A+B Epoxy Sealer
Bostik Simson Advance Teak Caulk with Norski or Everdure Epoxy Timber Sealer/Preserver beforehand
In addition, we were going to finish with Semco Teak Sealer to protect the teak but it’s also been suggested that the Semco will react with the caulking because it softens polyurethane. We are better to let the teak weather naturally rather than try to “protect” it.
I would be ever so grateful for your thoughts and guidance!