What sealant for water tank access plate?

[sck5]

I need to take off the access plate for my water tanks to give them a good cleaning. What sealant should I use when I put them back on again? The tanks are aluminum.

[Shrew]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rts-11614.html

Similar discussion.

[leftbrainstuff]

Permatex or food grade thread sealing dope.

We have EPDM seals on ours and only use the thread sealer dope for the blind hole screws to avoid stainless to stainless galling.

Buna N will also work well.

Avoid any non food grade sealants.

[sck5]

Thanks!

[peghall]

Have you considered making a rubber gasket instead of using a sealant? Acess plate would be secured using screws..you'd have to drill a few holes in the access plate and tank, but this would make it a lot easier to remove to clean the tank next time. Rubber gasket material s available from any good hardware store in various thicknesses.

Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

[Pauls]

I'd suggest you consider using an O-ring for the seal. O-ring stock is available by the foot. You cut it to the perimeter length you need and glue the ends with a cyanoacrylic glue made for this purpose. The O-ring is placed inside your hatch mounting bolts. A groove is not necessary, as long as the ring is trapped between flat surfaces it will work. This approach requires that the surfaces be fairly flat. If they are it will seal very positively and will be very easy to remove when you next want to access the tank.

O-rings are available in a variety of materials. Pick the rubber type which is best suited to potable water.

[Cheechako]

As Peggy says, rubber or cork gasket. If your lid and tank are robust enough the oring might work, but they are pretty hard durometer.

[sck5]

a rubber gasket! what a better idea. OK you have opened a whole new thought for me. Thanks!

[Sonrisa]

I have this same issue. I want to create rubber gaskets for inspection ports on our potable water tanks. I'm just wondering if there are suggestions for what type of rubber to use that is considered food safe, and where to source sheets as a reasonable price?

[Gary Mc]

Well if it helps any chewing gum is butyl rubber.