What is the correct procedure for using Caulk

[picflight]

I am re-bedding hardware and need to drive screws, also I took the fuel fill hose fitting out, have to apply caulking there too.

What is correct procedure to apply Life-Calk?

Life-Calk

I will be working in ~75F weather.

I know to apply around the screw hole on the edge and then wait before attaching the screw, not to overtightened and snug tighten after 24 hours.

It is the wait time and what step to do after how long is what I am not clear about.

 

[jbrinch88]

I would recommend boatlife's life-seal product over life-caulk. I've found the life-caulk to leave a sloppy bead and be chunky and just a mess to work with. What I do is, remove all old sealant with your choice of tool (razor blade attached to one of those handles is what I use), wipe area down with thinner/acetone to get leftover sealant/grease/dirt out of there, put a bead of sealer around the hole/inside of the hole/and on the fitting itself. If using screws i usually just put a bunch of sealer on a piece of cardboard and dip the screws in them before i put them in. Install your hardware etc, wipe the excess with a rag and acetone, or use a rubber wiper to get a really nice finished bead.

On an average day, I've literally installed under water thru-hulls/transducers etc with this product and launched the boat within 30 minutes with no issues with leaking. I think those "wait times" are alittle overkill and are not necessary. I've never went back and "re-tightened" anything. Never had an issue. Good luck.

 

[Doc Stressor]

jbrinch88 is absolutely right! DON'T use Life Caulk. It's a top deck product that is really only useful for teak, etc. It's a mess to work with and doesn't adhere to metal very well. So it's a very poor choice for bedding hardware.

Life-Seal is what you want to use. It is great for bedding hardware. You can easily wipe off the excess with a shop towel for a clean installation.

I also agree that you should not re-tighten screws after the sealer sets up. That breaks the adhesion and lets water enter the threads. This leads to crevice corrosion and the hardware will eventually weep rust.

 

[DennisG01]

No question about the messiness of the Life Calk! But it's actually a longer lasting product than the Lifeseal - I wouldn't shy away from using it for that reason (that it doesn't seal well). It's absolutely meant for below the waterline. I've (and the others at the shop) used it for years and years (both products) with great results. I've even used it to fill gaps around port holes (fiberglass and stainless steel) and while it's messy, it does smooth out very nicely and makes a nice looking bead. LifeCalk does have a longer cure time, though, than LifeSeal (or at least that's the way it seems from using the stuff).

If you want to make even a better seal, chamfer the screw holes - that will provide for using more product, which will help with the overall seal and also combat elongation and stretch (over time). If you want to make the BoatLife stuff cure a little faster, mist it with water when you're all done. But I do agree that you can launch almost right away - just don't drive the boat around.

If you really want to step up your game, get some butyl tape - that's the best stuff there is.

Either way, yes, another vote for not retightening. UNLESS, you run a small bead around the underside of the flange, let it tack up to be a little firm, then add your screws (dipping in the sealant and even adding some under the head) and tighten. I've done that occasionally, but honestly... it takes too long!

 

[picflight]

Thanks for the replies and helpful tips.

 

[grunt]

I've found the best product to use is a tape sealant from Tremco.
We've been in the construction business since 1969 and have been erecting pre-engineered buildings for most of that time.
This sealant comes in rolls in various thicknessess and widths .
We have used it for standing seam roof systems and also for switchgear houses for the giant windmill windfarms.
And there is no mess or wait time.
I've used it to mount outboards and fittings on quite a few boats also.
Never had a leak...ever