Caulk Question

[freelancer]

I want to re-caulk because some of the factory caulk on my boat is fraying around various moldings and hardware. The beads are pretty thin in some places and the caulk is white very flexible. Original stuff is about 10 years old now; I would like to keep some on the boat for general maintenance inside and out.

Any suggestions for a good all around marine caulk? Thanks.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Caulk Question

It sounds like you are really referring to 'bedding compound' and not 'caulking'. Bedding compound is used to set in & seal around deck hardware, windshield frames, brackets, etc. There are lots to choose from, Sikaflex & Boatlife are two known names. For what you are looking to do (which seems to be to clean up the appearance) I might even suggest a good quality latex type of 'window & door sealant' from a hardware store (or 'big box' type of store) as the water cleanup aspect will be nice when making a nice bead on items that are already installed (thought it won't last quite as long). - I would stay away from 3M 5200 which you might have suggested to you. That product is also a very tenacious adhesive and you will have a REAL hard time undoing anything you do with it in the future (I used to use the stuff by the case when I worked as a boat builder building commercial boats years ago, I don't think I'd use it on anything of my own. - just my $.002)

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Caulk Question

5200 is pretty brutal to clean up too. It is great for below the waterline and when you want an adhesive type caulk.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Caulk Question

Thanks Ned... I have heard about the foreverness of 5200; I don't think that's what I want for this job. I'm starting to have to look at different maintenance issues 10 years into the boat. I also have heard the not to use house hold caulk and always use marine grade/formulated caulk. I hope to get a good water tight seal that won't corrode the hardware, remain flexible and do the job.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Caulk Question

Sounds like you need 4200 , not as permanent as 5200 just as good of a seal

 

[Ned L]

Re: Caulk Question

I hear you on the 'house hold' stuff. Agreed that if you are looking for a long term first rate solution I would do better too. In non-critical above the waterline situations where you can keep an eye on it, it can work ok, and quite a bit more ecconimically. I don't think a polysulfide 'type' product like Boatlife should cause any issues with corrosion & aluminum. Clean things well with alcohol, terps, etc., mask things well to leave just the area you want the caulking applied to, apply the bead, 'squeegy' with your finger, pull up the tape, & you have a perfect fillet/bead. I haven't used 3M 4200 myself, but from what I understand it is much like Boatlife & Sikaflex.