Bedding compound deck fittings - recommendations, please?

[Poignard]

Some years ago I had to take off a lot of wooden fittings, coamings etc off the deck.

I refitted them using a polyurethane sealant designed for fitting wooden window frames in buildings, with nylon washers as spacers so as not to squeeze out all the sealant.

So far so good, it all worked brilliantly - no deterioration of the sealant, which remained flexible.

BUT, when I had to remove these fittings recently I had to saw through the sealant to get them off! A lot of work with a narrow saw blade trying to saw through a rubbery compound without damaging anything else.

This time I want to use a sealant that will adhere well to the mating surfaces so as to keep the moisture out of the joint but not adhere so well that the fittings are difficult to remove in future

Someone has suggested using polysulfide sealant.

Advise, please!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

There is a recommendation to use Butyl Tape to seal down hardware. The links below are to instructions and a supplier in the UK. I have used Butyl Tape on my refurbished windows to great effect — no mess, compliant sealing. I actually pulled off gel coat removing the old windows which had an adhesive type sealant applied to a leaking frame. Hope this helps, worth a read if nothing else.

Regards,

BlowingOldBoots

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251285702478?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
http://www.sealflex.co.uk/Butyl-Tape.html

The last link gives some technical descriptions of the Butyl Tapes that are available.

 

[geem]

We use Geocell 'the works'. Bit like sikaflex but doesn't go off in the tube.

 

[PhillM]

Dave, shipwright that has been working with me on paean uses a 2 part compund that he calls Rubbaseal. Seems to work a treat. I have been looking for it online and have so far failed. When I see him next, I will ask him where he gets it.

 

[Alpha22]

+1 for butyl rubber. Available as a tape or in a tube. It's like blue tack but oh so much stickier!!!!

 

[Tranona]

Go with the polysulphide such as Boatlife or the Arbo equivalent.

 

[northwind]

+1 for butyl rubber. Available as a tape or in a tube. It's like blue tack but oh so much stickier!!!!

+1 from me too, with the advantage that you can store some onboard, and it doesn't go off.

 

[[3889]]

+3 for butyl tape.

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for the helpful advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Poignard]

Another question!

Is it a good idea to put some kind of spacers (eg nylon washers, matchsticks etc) between the mating surfaces so as to ensure a minimum thickness of bedding compound, or not?

 

[ianfr]

+4 for butyl!

Ian

 

[Alpha22]

Is it a good idea to put some kind of spacers (eg nylon washers, matchsticks etc) between the mating surfaces so as to ensure a minimum thickness of bedding compound, or not?

No need with butyl tape.....!!!

 

[Poignard]

Eventually, I opted for Arbomast BR (=Butyl Rubber) in a cartridge. This was cheap and readily available from my friendly neighbourhood MarineSuperStore.

I took great care applying it and put plenty on so that it oozed out all round the fitting but next day the compound had shrunk a lot, leaving a noticeable gap between the fitting and the deck.

Have I done something wrong or is this what Arbomast BR does normally?

If I just inject more compound to fill the gap will that bond properly or am I faced with taking the fittings (there are a lot of them and I don't have much time ) off again and using something else?