Is Sikafelx really the right product?

[Canopy Locked]

I am soon to refit new capping sections (Iroko) on the gunwales. The 2 sections are short (around 600mm long) and fit into a slightly recessed section of the gunwale (see pic)

There is sufficient room at either end for expansion They will be screwed down using 3 pairs of screws for each section.

I was planning to use sikaflex to provide additional adhesion and sealing, but I have a concern that Sika might be too tough and inflexible. It also goes slightly grubby and it'll be visable at either end.

If you've done this sort of thing before what sealant / adhesive did you use?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I fitted iroko gunnel strips to a ferrocement boat using Sikaflex 11FC in two sections the inner one was bolted and sealed and the outer one was just glued with sikaflex FC in brown to match the wood

Both seem ok

These replaces gunnel strips glued on with Epoxy that cracked and allowed water in the joint causing the iroko to rot

 

[Hacker]

You could use Sika 291 to bed the pieces to the gunwhale and then use a caulking version for the ends (TDS or there is a Sika product but can’t remember the number of the top of my head).

 

[Tranona]

That is not very demanding and you really only need a sealant rather than an adhesive. I would use brown CT1 which is both and much cheaper than sika. I have used it extensively with Iroko onto both ply and GRP.

 

[Canopy Locked]

Many thanks for your replies - Hadn't considered brown - good idea. CT1 ? - after reading up, great suggestion product ordered. Thanks again