Hatch Sealant

[Punx]

Just wondering about recommended sealants used to re-seal my hatch. I'm pulling it off, getting rid of all the old sealant, and re-seating it. Any recommendations are appreciated.

[jacob30]

I just rebedded a hatch with Life Caulk and a window port with 3M™ Marine Adhesive/Sealant Fast Cure 4000 UV in front of a layer of butyl tape.

Both seem to be doing well. I will tell you in about 6 months if there are any issues.

[enovillo]

If you're pulling it off, you might as well make sure that no core is exposed. If it is, I think a layer of epoxy is standard practice.

Also, it helps to route a bevel on the top edge (before epoxying), so that whatever sealant you use has somewhere to go when you re-install the hatch.

I've used butyl tape around ports, based on what I've read. And 3M 4200 around the edges. So butyl tape is mostly in the bevel, and 4200 visible outside.

This is what I did with most of the ports on our boat. It's been 2 years and there haven't been any leaks... yet

[ADMPRTR]

I use 3M 4200 for areas not exposed to sunlight and it seems okay. Less experience with UV4000. I had previously used sikaflex and felt that it dried out prematurely but do not have empirical evidence of that.

[enovillo]

Right, I meant to add that whatever 4200 is visible, will turn yellow due to UV exposure.

Does 4000 UV not have this problem?

[ADMPRTR]

At the risk of taking this off topic, what are the thoughts of using marine silicone versus products like 4200?

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by enovillo

Right, I meant to add that whatever 4200 is visible, will turn yellow due to UV exposure.

Does 4000 UV not have this problem?

400UV is formulated not to degrade in sunlight so probably the answer is yes.

[jacob30]

I think most will not recommend this. I am not sure completely but believe shrinkage and bonding are the issues.

Originally Posted by ADMPRTR

At the risk of taking this off topic, what are the thoughts of using marine silicone versus products like 4200?

[Punx]

I think I'm going to follow this guys advice for most of my repairs:
Re-Bedding Deck Hardware Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

lifecalk should do the trick. Should I put some 4000uv down along the edges to dress it up? I don't know if the lifecalk is UV resistant.

[Cheechako]

5200. do it once in your lifetime. :>)

[ADMPRTR]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

5200. do it once in your lifetime. :>)

Ya, leave fixing it when it eventually leaks for the next owner...

[jacob30]

Yes I would. Either life caulk or the 4000 UV. Love the Butyl in combo for most things hatch or port related.

Originally Posted by Punx

I think I'm going to follow this guys advice for most of my repairs:
Re-Bedding Deck Hardware Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

lifecalk should do the trick. Should I put some 4000uv down along the edges to dress it up? I don't know if the lifecalk is UV resistant.

[Punx]

I don't want 5200 anywhere near my boat. I'll stick to a butyl and 4000uv combo.

[Charlie]

Are you talking about plexiglass hatches. If so the best products I know are made for glazing. It is very important that they have a lot of stretch. "As for sealant Dow 795 is the most widely used sealant for this type of application. Alternatives are Sika Flex 295 UV with the primer & GE SG-4000." stolen from Maine Sail. I have used the Sika Flex and the Dow 795. The Dow is cheaper and easier to use IMHO.

[feelsgood]

Originally Posted by Punx

Just wondering about recommended sealants used to re-seal my hatch. I'm pulling it off, getting rid of all the old sealant, and re-seating it. Any recommendations are appreciated.

I have just done this very job on a yacht all the windows and the hatches. I used a product called sikaflex 250. Its the one the car industry uses for fitting in car windscreens. It has gone through the tests very well and NO leaks. Hope this helps. Regards Pete