Bedding compound for new hatches

chamac

chamac

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Hi All
I got two new hatches for my boat to replace the existing leaky ones. Can anyone recommend a bedding compound for them? I could use Sikaflex but understand that this would be a permanent fix. Should I be using a Polysulfide instead? The deck is GRP. Any ideas would be great.
 
I went to the local glass merchants and they recommended a butyl type mastic on a roll thats wrapped each side with non stick paper tape,its non setting and I was very impressed.this is on the front windscreen which gets some hammer,its about 3/4inch wide and easy to work with.done 2yrs ago no probs.
 
Quorning boatbuilders (Dragonfly manufacturer) use this stuff. I don't think it's as long lasting as setting stuff, but it's dead easy to replace. Getting a Butyl tape sealed hatch out of a deck is as easy as removing the screws and prising it up with a screwdriver, no probs at all, even years after it was installed.
 
I have always bedded them on Sikaflex. How often are you planning on removing them anyway?

I use lots of kitchen roll and white spirit to clean up the edges after the stuff oozes out. Twas what the local boat yard was doing and you get a perfect edge! I know that some people use masking tape, but this method works for me.

If the worst comes to the worst it IS possibly to remove the hatch when bedded on Sikaflex. Its just hard work...
 
Never Never Never fit hatches with Sikaflex adhesive-sealant.

You are near guaranteed to wreck the hatch and damage the boat when you come to remove it in a decade's time!
 
I agree. There are very few sealing/bedding jobs on my boat that I don't use Sikaflex for. If you want to keep the water out, use something that really works. As said above, when were you planning on taking your hatches out next?
 
[ QUOTE ]
Never Never Never fit hatches with Sikaflex adhesive-sealant.


[/ QUOTE ] We will have to agree to differ. It is what Sika flex is made for after all...

Personally, I would never bed marine hatches on some sort of glaziers butyl tape as some-one suggested.

But then, my hatches don't leak either...
 
Yes I agee Sikaflex is an excellent product,but assuming you break the glass, plastic,acrylic or someone does breaking in who wants the agro of removing a sikaflexed hatch when there is an excellent product that is easy to remove.The "glaziers tape" doesnt give the hatch its fixing strength,they are screwed or bolted for this.It provides an excellent seal.
 
Decks tend to flexa bit whereas window frames don't flex as much. I would go for Sikaflex - IIRC there is one which is not so sticky and is recommended for bedding hatches and suchlike.
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