Sikaflex and rain?

Roach1948

Roach1948

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27 Apr 2006
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www.dallimoredesigns.nl
Can I get away with attaching my rubbing strakes in the pouring rain? Will the Sikaflex still work? My yacht moves to the boatyard Tues AM and I can't transport the rubbing strakes without them being attached as they will simply snap or fail at the scarfs...so hence my idea of attempting to attach them in the rain.
 
I wouldn't expect Sikaflex to attach to a wet surface. You must be using some form of metal fastening to hold them in place, even if you are hoping for Sikaflex to hold them in the long term. Why not just dry screw them in place, and apply the Sikaflex when the weather is a bit more amenable?
Peter.
 
No , your joints need to be dry and clean for any glue to make a good bond . Can you not throw a tarp over her to get the job done ?
PS i have a half penny and a trepney bit from 1948 if you want to step your mast on them ?
 
Sikaflex wont stick to a damp or wet surface. Unless its your hands - face, arms, legs etc when it sticks like /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif however wet you are!

Been there, got the teeshirt, still finding patches of sikaflex at bathtime! And had to go back with a fresh tube on a dry day!
 
Peter, good idea. Will attach them without bedding down just yet, although it looks like it is drying up later today.... might give it a go then. Dont really feel like screwing on, taking off and rescrewing with bedding (and missing all the holes as the bedding compound is hiding them!)
 
I need a get a tent rigged with sides in this cross wind. The gunwales still get sprayed. I'll wait till a dry spell (maybe later tonight) and dry the sides off with a manky old towel.

PS. Jason, that is a very kind offer and would love to step her mast on one - specially as it is from a fellow forumite with a similar Seedhouse project!
 
Could you perhaps fasten them with screws now, while using packing spacers to ensure a uniform gap of a few mm between the rubbing strakes and the hull?
When you are ready to 'send the screws home' all the way, remove the spacers, run the Sikaflex liberally along the gap created between strake and hull, and then tighten up the screws. I have put a gunwhale on a dinghy this way.
 
Tried your suggestion last night and I am back to square one now as the splines failed (obvioulsy I am useless at splines)! So now they can fit in the back of the car!
 
I'm puzzled by your reference to "splines". It sounds like you mean "scarphs", the shallow tapered joint between lengths of timber. If this is the case, you'll need some form of backing to keep everything tightly together. Have you allowed the adhesive enough time to develop its strength? It is very frustrating to make a definite time to launch when there is so much still to do. I assume that it is necessary to do it so that you can book a crane or similar launching method.
Peter.
Peter.
 
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