Sealant costs

Durcott

Durcott

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 Jul 2006
Messages
194
Location
East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Visit site
Hi Folks - this might be a bit of an old saw ...

On the one hand, I am perfectly happy with the performance of my tube of 291.

On the other, walking into any decent builders merchants turns me green with envy at the prices charged for what appear to be similar products.

I'd love to hear any opinion on whether the 100 to 150% uplift in cost is really supported by evidence that 'non marine' sealants just aren't worth the obvious savings.

(Let's restrict this to tasks such as sealing deck hardware :-) )

Kind regards to all YBW folk

Jeff
 
Sikaflex is expensive no matter where you buy it.
Try CT1 from your builders merchant, in my opinion better than Sika but you will find the cost is much the same.
You get what you pay for, most of the Sika like sealants are much the same price. Silicones are usually not very effective in any challenging environment - that's why they are much cheaper.
 
For some reason or other people have latched onto the Sikaflex trade name. There are lots of other sealants out there from companies as big a £M, and I dont believe for one moment that Sikaflex is any better than anything 3M would make.

But its good marketing by Sikaflex. Get yourself a good name and then translate it into profit by hiking up the price - as long as you dont overdo it. Musto do the same thing. As do HR.

That said I would not use bathroom sealant below the water line. I would chose a marine sealant made for the job but by another company.
 
I use a variety of sealants, polyurethane/isocyanate bonding adhesives, MS Polymer/isocyanate and silicone dependent on use. If I am bonding deck fittings, I use Poly or MS, of course neither of these types are suitable for bedding Acrylic or Polycarbonate as they both cause stress cracking in these substrates, I use neutral cure silicone on ports and windows. EBT and Soudal Fixall are MS polymer/isocyanate, 291 is poly/isocyanate. In use I cannot see any mechanical difference between Poly or MS.

In terms of cost EBT and Soudal Fixall come in between 5-6.50, while 291 tends to be available at marine outlets for twice that price.
 
wotayottie said:
For some reason or other people have latched onto the Sikaflex trade name. There are lots of other sealants out there from companies as big a £M, and I dont believe for one moment that Sikaflex is any better than anything 3M would make.
Click to expand...

Neither do I - but the trouble is I don't know what Sikaflex 291 technically is, so I can't identify an exact equivalent by any other company.

Pete
 
3M make '5200' which is as Sikaflex a polyurethane adhesive sealant.
And available at one third the chandlery costs in the USAs DIY 'sheds'
I know cos I built( rebuilt) a boat out of it:)

Wickes used to sell something similar for around a fiver but I noted that with time it would discolour from white so possibly lacking sufficient UV protection/inhibitors for sustained marine exposure..?

Sikaflex originated afaik for bonding in car windscreens . Arguably the variety if driving conditions and global climes far exceeds its work when used to bond deck fittings on a boat. Price aside I think it is the most wonderful stuff:)
 
Any Sikaflex product with "9" in the middle of the number is "marine" hence higher price. Sika also do products that do not have the '(' in the number thus not marine but are the same produce. Sikaflex 221 is the same as 291.

I have also used Den Braven product which I have found to be just as good as sikaflex but not aimed at the marine market.

http://denbraven.co.za/polyurethane sealants.html

UK office

http://www.denbraven.nl/en/locations-35
 
Natterjack said:
Anyone tried these?? http://www.marinemastics.com/

Prices seem very reasonable, Marineflex from £4.80 inc VAT

Dan
Click to expand...

I have, for sticking my new seating onto the locker lids, followed by Sika caulking. I had opted for Marineflex not just on the basis of price, but because it said it would do the job I wanted it to do.
This was done in June and was pleased with the stuff in use. So far things are ok, but only time will tell.
 
KevO said:
Any recommended alt for 290 caulk? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adh...lphide+Sealant+400ml+Black/d180/sd2350/p85374 :)

or

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adh...Gutter+Mastic+300+ml+Black/d180/sd2350/p11002 :rolleyes:

I used the top one when making new washboards - worked well - did not set as hard as the Sika caulk but stiuck like the proverbial to a blanket

Sanding down after left a matt finish so a quick rub with "wet-n-dry" and all was well. Took the varnish (external polyurathane) without any problems.
 
cliff said:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adh...lphide+Sealant+400ml+Black/d180/sd2350/p85374 :)

or

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Adh...Gutter+Mastic+300+ml+Black/d180/sd2350/p11002 :rolleyes:

I used the top one when making new washboards - worked well - did not set as hard as the Sika caulk but stiuck like the proverbial to a blanket

Sanding down after left a matt finish so a quick rub with "wet-n-dry" and all was well. Took the varnish (external polyurathane) without any problems.
Click to expand...

I don't intend to seal, oil or otherwise treat the teak once caulked. The caulk needs to cure thoroughly so that the locker lids can be sat on safely without marking clothes etc. Will the toolstation stuff do that?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top