Start again or not?

[tidclacy]

Silly me
Did not read instructions when fitting a new spin lock rope clutch
Used sikaflex 291 to bed down then read do not use polysulphide or polyurethane.
I believe sikaflex is polyurethane. What can happen and should I be worried. Do I need to take off and start again?

 

[sailorman]

why did you think the need to glue the fitting onto the boat, all you need is a sealant

 

[macd]

291 can degrade some plastics, particularly acrylics such as ABS.

 

[prv]

why did you think the need to glue the fitting onto the boat, all you need is a sealant

291 is a sealant, albeit quite a firm one. 292 is the adhesive version.

Pete

 

[pvb]

Do I need to take off and start again?

No, just live with it. But RTFM next time!

 

[sailorman]

291 is a sealant, albeit quite a firm one. 292 is the adhesive version.

Pete

Use above and below water line - General all-purpose sealant - Resists salt water - May be used for light duty –
bonding - Fast strength build-up - Excellent adhesion to gelcoat, fiberglass, metal and wood - May be squeezed or brushed into
place
- Stable
- Paintable - Versatile packaging - Excellent bond - Fast tack-free time
- High solids content - Sandable - NSF approved for potable water
(black and white only) - USDA approved for incidental food

 

[VicS]

Use above and below water line - General all-purpose sealant - Resists salt water - May be used for light duty –
bonding - Fast strength build-up - Excellent adhesion to gelcoat, fiberglass, metal and wood - May be squeezed or brushed into
place
- Stable
- Paintable - Versatile packaging - Excellent bond - Fast tack-free time
- High solids content - Sandable - NSF approved for potable water
(black and white only) - USDA approved for incidental food

Areas of Application
Sikaflex®-291i is a multipurpose product used in marine constructions. It is suitable for making elastic, vibration-resistant joint seals, and can also be used for a variety of interior and exterior sealing applications. Sikaflex®-291i bonds extremely well to the materials commonly used in marine construction like wood, metals, metal primers and paint coatings (2-C systems), ceramic materials and plastics (GRP, etc.). Sikaflex®-291i must not be used to seal plastics that are prone to stress cracking (e.g. PMMA, PC, etc.).

This product is suitable for experienced professional users only​

 

[laika]

I wonder how many riggers and boatwrights have been using pu sealants for years without reading that? Now I've seen this thread obviously before the next time I bed down a clutch I'll do the research although on balance I don't think I'll bother re-bedding the clutches I re-bedded 7 years ago with 291.

 

[Tranona]

I wonder how many riggers and boatwrights have been using pu sealants for years without reading that? Now I've seen this thread obviously before the next time I bed down a clutch I'll do the research although on balance I don't think I'll bother re-bedding the clutches I re-bedded 7 years ago with 291.

The instructions on the Spinlock are very clear. Had to buy a small tube just to do one clutch, but small price in relation to the cost of the clutch.

 

[awol]

The base of my Spinlock XTS clutches are aluminium alloy - can't see that 291 or even Blutack would make any difference - the load is through the fixing screws.

 

[VicS]

The base of my Spinlock XTS clutches are aluminium alloy - can't see that 291 or even Blutack would make any difference - the load is through the fixing screws.

Spinlock do say not to use a polyurethane or polysulphide sealant

• Never use polysulphide or polyyrethene based sealants which can
degrade the product

 

[PabloPicasso]

Best thing for bedding in deck gear I've found is that sticky black stuff for sealing glazed units. It never goes off, seals perfectly, and can even be reused if a deck fitting needs to be removed and replaced or refitted

 

[Kelpie]

Best thing for bedding in deck gear I've found is that sticky black stuff for sealing glazed units. It never goes off, seals perfectly, and can even be reused if a deck fitting needs to be removed and replaced or refitted

Butyl rubber tape?

 

[Iminei]

EPDM sealant. Magical stuff.

 

[Tranona]

Best thing for bedding in deck gear I've found is that sticky black stuff for sealing glazed units. It never goes off, seals perfectly, and can even be reused if a deck fitting needs to be removed and replaced or refitted

But if you have just spent over £60 buying a Spinlock clutch it would be foolish to ignore the very clear instructions on what sealant to use.

 

[jac]

But if you have just spent over £60 buying a Spinlock clutch it would be foolish to ignore the very clear instructions on what sealant to use.

I agree.


That said - i'vehad to fit two. Both times I went into swindlery to say what have you got that isn't polysulphide or polyyrethene. Both times ( separate places) the assistant said that most people seemed to use Sika.

I found some sealant that was ok.

Personally I would redo. It's probably fine but there will always be that nagging feeling that the sealant is slowing destroying the plastic on the clutch. DO you want that doubt when they are under a lot of load.

 

[tidclacy]

I agree.


That said - i'vehad to fit two. Both times I went into swindlery to say what have you got that isn't polysulphide or polyyrethene. Both times ( separate places) the assistant said that most people seemed to use Sika.

I found some sealant that was ok.

Personally I would redo. It's probably fine but there will always be that nagging feeling that the sealant is slowing destroying the plastic on the clutch. DO you want that doubt when they are under a lot of load.

Yes I think I will redo its that nagging doubt about many things that keep me awake at night!

 

[VicS]

Yes I think I will redo its that nagging doubt about many things that keep me awake at night!

Perhaps the damage has already been done. The solvent or whatever causes the trouble might have been absorbed into the plastic that the clutch is made of before the sealant cured. Removing it and refitting with a different sealant may not prevent it slowly continuing to degrade in the same way.

Sleep well !

 

[pvb]

Yes I think I will redo its that nagging doubt about many things that keep me awake at night!

When you're awake at night worrying, reflect on the fact that many thousands of these things will have been bedded on Sikaflex and we don't hear stories of them disintegrating.

 

[macd]

When you're awake at night worrying, reflect on the fact that many thousands of these things will have been bedded on Sikaflex and we don't hear stories of them disintegrating.

Very true. The clutches inherited on our boat were, I think, bedded with Sika 291 or similar. They appear sound but have unsightly stains adjacent to where the bedding compound used to be.