Rebedding Q on deck HW

[bigcrunch]

So I started to rebed some items on my 268, it has a speaker wired to the VHF it runs thru a hole in the deck with a gob of silicone on it. To do this correctly reseal it with 5200? use this butyl tape I acquired from Compass marine??

I am even considering eliminating it as last solution and seal holes with resin and fiber mat.

 

[src]

I wouldn't use 5200 - that's permanent, and you may one day have to replace that wire.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I agree with the 5200 comment. Butyl tape is probably the best stuff out there for long term sealing. There's other excellent choices, but if you have the tape, use it.

 

[KC_Sundancer]

Since it something that may stop working and need replacement I re-bed ours with 4200UV.
From experience I found the 5200 is a real agressive adhesive sealant.
I have seen parts break and gelcoat delaminate trying to remove items it was used on.
just my thoughts.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Wait, I just reread your post and you said the wire simply comes out through a hole. I think you might have a hard time relying on the tape to make a proper long-term seal in this case. Instead I would use something like LifeSeal's LifeCalk (which would be my personal choice) or the 3M 4000UV (still excellent stuff).

 

[bigcrunch]

Butyl tape can be easily shaped in any shape, just looking for a bit of other SR owners best practices.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Butyl tape can be easily shaped in any shape, just looking for a bit of other SR owners best practices.

I agree - but I've only used it occasionally over the years and never in this manner. If you're comfortable with it staying in the form you put it in for the long haul, then use it as it is better than anything out of a caulk gun. I just don't have the experience with it in this manner to say one way or the other. I thought, based on how you worded your initial post, that you had limited experience with it as well?

However, in line with your initial post, it's not all that hard to fill with resin and gelcoat. If you're looking, indeed, for the "best practice" then hands down reglassing and gelcoating is it.

 

[BryanOnTheBay]

If you are rebidding, I would over drill the holes, fill with epoxy and then redrill the holes to the proper size. That way when whatever you use to bed with fails, you won't have water intrusion into the decking. I also agree that you don't want to use 5200. You would hate yourself when you had to replace the wire. Also, make sue the area being bedded is very clean. Your bedding will stay water tight longer.

Bryan

Edit: What Dennis said. If the area being filled is exposed to UV you do need to gel coat it.

 

[bigcrunch]

What brand epoxy? I want it to last.

 

[Lazy Daze]

There's many choices for resin. You can use polyester resin, which the boat is built from. A good, readily available brand is Evercoat. You can use epoxy resin which is a bit stronger (and more $) and brands like the West system (NOT "West Marine") are easier to work with than the poly. But there are other good brands, as well.

 

[bigcrunch]

What is Resin shelf life?

I found some Elmers brand Made in the USA in original can that had been opened but sealed tight in my shop. It is still liquid form and I'll need to find some harder.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Shelf life is a common term used to describe how long it (or any product) is good for if unopened.

Personally... Never knew that Elmer's made epoxy or poly resin. If you're at all unsure, do you really want to skimp on the couple bucks that new stuff would cost?

 

[bigcrunch]

Shelf life is a common term used to describe how long it (or any product) is good for if unopened.

Personally... Never knew that Elmer's made epoxy or poly resin. If you're at all unsure, do you really want to skimp on the couple bucks that new stuff would cost?

hey, not trying to skimp just use a better quality product to avoid problems in the future.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Gotcha. Well, I can't say anything one way or the other about Elmer's as I know nothing about their epoxy/polyester. If you want simple to use, great quality and a permanent repair - use the West system. It's a bit pricier than most, but there's great info on their website and you can even call them and get a knowledgeable person. Plus, it's widely available.

FYI, if I was doing those holes, I would just use a thickened mixture of epoxy. Either thicken with filler or chopped/cut up glass. Obviously, prepare the holes properly, but there's really no need to lay strips of glass in.