Snap replace and seal options

[Herrickjde]

I will be having my boat detailed and they are going to remove the current snaps to do the work. I am thinking about putting new snaps on, but do I need to seal them? Any suggestions on the best way to do this.

 

[ttmott]

I will be having my boat detailed and they are going to remove the current snaps to do the work. I am thinking about putting new snaps on, but do I need to seal them? Any suggestions on the best way to do this.

Seal with a dab of 3M 4200 or 5200 on the snap screw threads.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Seal with a dab of 3M 4200 or 5200 on the snap screw threads.

Only use 5200 if you want the snaps to be PERMANENTLY installed. If you do choose to use 5200 you must remove any that squeezes out as after exposure to sunlight turns brown. I learned both the hard way.

For any item that is mechanically attached to fiberglass best practice for correcting a loose fitting screw is to mechanically clean hole and threads with either a small rat tail file, or very slight over drilling. Then fill the hole with a paste consistency adhesive, either thickened epoxy, or resin, that will adhere to gelcoat and underlying fiberglass. Once the adhesive has cured, redrill the screw hole with the proper sized drill it for the threads.

 

[dtfeld]

I removed mine for polishing/waxing and I reinstalled using 3M Marine silicone caulk. I put a good amount on the treads, so that I had a little bit of caulk squeeze out when tight. I used my cordless drill with the clutch set to a 7 out of 20, so roughly 30% and they tightened up nicely. Then wiped excess around the perimeter and wiped up. I had several that in oversized holes and I filled with Marinetex and redrilled, then reinstalled with silicone.

My thinking is I want to be able to remove again, but protect the core, so need to be well sealed, but not permanent

I had purchased new snaps on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WC9JJQV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ttmott]

Only use 5200 if you want the snaps to be PERMANENTLY installed. If you do choose to use 5200 you must remove any that squeezes out as after exposure to sunlight turns brown. I learned both the hard way.

For any item that is mechanically attached to fiberglass best practice for correcting a loose fitting screw is to mechanically clean hole and threads with either a small rat tail file, or very slight over drilling. Then fill the hole with a paste consistency adhesive, either thickened epoxy, or resin, that will adhere to gelcoat and underlying fiberglass. Once the adhesive has cured, redrill the screw hole with the proper sized drill it for the threads.

It's only a small threaded fastener; it will come out just fine with either 4200 or 5200 if removal needed.

 

[Herrickjde]

All great advise and my detailer is going to replace with new stainless and seal them at a reasonable price.