Chaulking

[Rich]

I have a 2005 SeaRay Amberjack, I want to replace the caulking around the engine air ducts on both sides of the boat. Do the panels that cover the ducts need to come off and if so how do I remove the old caulk or can I put a new bead over the old to make it look better?:huh:

 

[DaleM]

I'm assuming you're talking about the blower covers? If so I had to do the same thing. Mine we're actually only held on by the caulk (no screws, etc). I didn't completely remove them and used the caulk that was there to hold them in place. A buddy of mine had his come completely off. He used the tape to hold things in place until the caulk cured.

I took blue painters tape and lined both sides of the seam to prevent it from getting all over the gel. From there I caulked, smoothed it out and then pulled off the tape.

I used the tape because when I tried to do a different seam "freehand" I ended up making a big smeary mess.

 

[Rich]

I also thought about using painters tape, I am a bit surprised the covers are only held on by the caulk and nothing else. Thanks for the help!

 

[DaleM]

If you need to take them off and don't want to risk prying them off (cracking) or if they really are screwed in, I read about someone using dental floss to get between the hull and the cover and then using that like a "saw" to cut through the old caulk. If they are screwed in the dental floss will hang up as you pull it through.

 

[Rich]

I store the boat indoors, so I will try to get there next weekend to take a closer look. I guess it also depends how cold it is to apply new caulk. Thanks again...

 

[Kreole Kid]

Rich, when you get the cover off, you will see that it sits on top of some little platforms. Make sure you remove all the old glue that's present. I just did my port side a couple of months ago and I used a dremel tool to remove and sand away the old stuff. I used 3m 4200 to re-glue it back together.

I didn't think to use the blue painters tape, but it sounds like a great idea. I'm still peeling and rubbing the excess caulk away:smt013 cause I put too much on.