Flex Seal: use on boats?

[12BCruzn]

Have any of my fellow CF members used this product to seal a Lexan window bonded to a fiberglass (FRP) hull? If so, did it do the job and not look like c-rap??

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/As-Seen...-Seal/20850472

[12BCruzn]

Has anyone used it for _anything_?

[CharlzO]

Very few things out of Walmart would I ever trust on my boat, especially when it comes to sealing out weather and water. To be honest, if you were looking to reseal, you'd probably be better off doing it right the first time, pull the ports, get some butyl tape or something specifically designed for it, and re-install.

[chuckr]

we sail a jeanneau ds40 -- and we reset all of our windows after an atlantic crossing and one of them leaked a bit - (a bit depends on who you are taking to - the admiral says half the atlantic was coming in the capt said just a few drops) - it was not serious but had to be addressed

we talked to jeanneau and another boat repair guy we knew and trusted and both said the same thing sikaflex period --

[Wotname]

I suggest Sika 295UV with Sika primer 215.

I used this some years abck and all but one of the ports are still leak free. One has a very slight weep - probably to my poor less than perfect workmanship.

For detail see pages 16 & 17 of http://www.bluemoment.com/downloads/...nehandbook.pdf

Bonding and sealing Lexan has some issues so it is important IMO, to use specialised products and not any old sealer. Also the sealant must be UV stable and many over the counter products aren't.

[Bill_E]

Butyl Tape!! It's basically the material used to seal windshields on automobiles. I got some from Maine Sail and I wish I had time and energy to reseal everything on my deck with it. Here's a link to some of his discussion. Sealing Deck Penetrations to Prevent Core Rot Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

Of course everyone has their favorites...I happen to really dislike 5200 for most things and I think Sikaflex is a similar product. And another link to a nice discussion of sealants. He points out the need for different sealants for different places on your boat. Adrift at Sea » Marine Sealants in a Nutshell

Bill

[12BCruzn]

I have a slight leak in a salon window and am looking for a temporary fix while I search out a more permanent one. The window will ultimately have to be removed and rebedded.

[FlyingCloud1937]

If it's a drip drip type of leak. Not a gusher.

Then this is the product I can easily recommend. Some 30 years of experience.


From the manufacture http://www.captaintolley.com/diff/diff.html

Lloyd

Originally Posted by 12BCruzn

Have any of my fellow CF members used this product to seal a Lexan window bonded to a fiberglass (FRP) hull? If so, did it do the job and not look like c-rap??

Walmart Mobile

[12BCruzn]

Thanks Flyingcloud. It is a drip drip type of leak. That product might actually represent a permanent solution. There is a rubber seal between the edge of the window and the frame that I would probably have to remove to use that product, right?

[FlyingCloud1937]

I have seen it become permanent solutions. As long as the rubber gasket isn't UV damaged.

No removal. Go to the manufactures web site that I posted, it includes complete instructions.

BTW, I am in no way associated with them, but have found their product to work.

Lloyd

Originally Posted by 12BCruzn

Thanks Flyingcloud. It is a drip drip type of leak. That product might actually represent a permanent solution. There is a rubber seal between the edge of the window and the frame that I would probably have to remove to use that product, right?

[12BCruzn]

FlyingCloud would Crack Cure make it more difficult to remove the rubber gasket (which is in good shape) if it did become necessary to rebed the window?

[onestepcsy37]

going back to the op's question....

yes, i have used flex seal. i had an old hypalon inflatable with many pinholes on the bottom. too many to patch individually. i sprayed a couple of coats of flex seal on the inside bottom. no more leaks. i only kept it a couple of months more but the guy i gave it to still uses it.

[12BCruzn]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

going back to the op's question....

yes, i have used flex seal. i had an old hypalon inflatable with many pinholes on the bottom. too many to patch individually. i sprayed a couple of coats of flex seal on the inside bottom. no more leaks. i only kept it a couple of months more but the guy i gave it to still uses it.

That sounds like an excellent application for this product. The dinghy that came with our boat might benefit, come to think of it. Thanks onestep!

One question: You said you "sprayed a couple of coats on the inside bottom". . did you apply the Flex Seal with the boat inflated or deflated?

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by 12BCruzn

One question: You said you "sprayed a couple of coats on the inside bottom". . did you apply the Flex Seal with the boat inflated or deflated?

i fully inflated the boat - maybe over inflated it. the idea was to get the tubes up and away from the bottom so i could get into the corners. i cleaned out the bottom with a sponge and water and let it dry in the sun for a few hours. i still managed to spray some on the tubes but it was an old dinghy anyway....