Deck fittings/butyl tape

[ripvan1]

I'm about to replace deck fittings to grp using butyl tape. (Thought I'd try instead of s/flex this time). I read somewhere that sealants/tapes/glue only affix to the immediate substrate and you are best off fixing these to bare gelcoat.

What do those in the know think and do I need to now sand off the primer before putting the fittings down ?

Thanks

 

[Ardenfour]

Since the tape is being used as a gasket not an adhesive, I would have thought a clean smooth surface would be adequate. I've used this a couple of times, in particular to bed the fore hatch onto grp. Never had any leaks through this, only criticism I have is the butyl keeps sqeezing out through the gap. Trim it around the fitting and in a few days more has appeared, since it never sets.

 

[voyager35]

I have been using butyl under some new deck fittings this winter and so fare have been pleased with the results. I read that for the best seal the hole should be slightly countersunk which makes sense.I would think that this would also get around ant potential moisture creep under your paint

 

[Alpha22]

Hi,
You could do a lot worse than have a quick look at this site.....

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware

 

[Martin_J]

The other Butyl based option is something called 'Arbormast BR'...

It comes in a similar tube to the Sikaflex type sealants (and is half the price) but is non-setting. Although it does the sealing part well, it relies on something like the fixing bolts to do the mechanical part of the fixing.

They sell it just up the road from you for £4.90

Arbomast BR

 

[ripvan1]

Thanks all, will give it a try and report back.

 

[mawm]

Here is a discussion devoted to using butyl tape

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/63554-bedding-deck-hardware-butyl-tape.html

 

[jfkal]

Go for it

I'm about to replace deck fittings to grp using butyl tape. (Thought I'd try instead of s/flex this time). I read somewhere that sealants/tapes/glue only affix to the immediate substrate and you are best off fixing these to bare gelcoat.

What do those in the know think and do I need to now sand off the primer before putting the fittings down ?

Thanks

I tried all other goo's. They all leak eventually. Used butyl tape and never looked back.