Deck caulking, and caulking colors

[gran398]

We are chewing over what type of caulk to use on the seam for the tank hatch. I am making the presumption that the production builders use a polysulfide, like Life Calk. Or was it a silicone/polyurethane combo, like Life Seal?

Our gel is antique white. The builder feels that a bright white caulk will look crappy next to the antique white, and I agree.

Have found a product by Sika that is available in colors...but don't know how it will tool. It is polyurethane. I have used polyurethane caulk on windows etc...it is kind of "gloppy"...

Ideas?

 Thanks

[slvrlng]

Why not use clear like I did? I used the white on the console to floor contact to give that edge some definition.

[Skoot]

I have a couple,  and I know this first one sounds crazy but, maybe some 5200 or 4200, the non-uv, which discolors in the sun to a cream color. It might be a perfect/close match.  Test on a piece of scrap, lay it in the sun for a few days and it may just work. For my tank hatch I used the Clear 3M Marine Grade Sealant. It worked great, super strong, bonds really well, and still looks great after 2 years. Plus it cuts easy (with a utility knife) If you ever have to remove your hatch.

[jdupree]

I would go with 3m 4000.  I have used it for years on all types of applications.  Does not bond like 5200, but will seal from water intrusion.  It also has uv protection and I have found it will not mold and mildew or fade like the rest.  Easy to clean as well.

[wingtime]

Scott,  I used white marine silicone on my tank cover seams.  My floors are painted a very similar color to yours or even darker.  You can hardly notice it.  The white silicone is almost translucent.  Also you can easily pull it out of the seam to reseal it or remove the cover if you  have to.

[Blue Agave]

I used Sikaflex 505UV on mine with no issues. The manufacture I do contract work for uses it on all the boats he builds.

[pete]

just an idea,I have seen some done in black silicone,the black contrasts well and does not show any dirt or mildew stains

[skyliner4444]

I worked at Boston Whaler many years ago and we used clear RTV silicone sealant on all our tank covers. It was easy to apply, held up great, cleaned easily, and was not very difficult or messy to remove if you had to get under the cover. The silcone sealants today come in several colors, but I'd still probably go with the clear.

[gran398]

Thanks to all for the great input! I'm still up in the air.

The biggest thing with the silicone...clear or white...is mold. Daggone, it seems like it grows from underneath, black and splotchy.

The builder suggested again last night Life Calk. It is advertised as "paintable". His idea is to paint it with an artist's brush with antique white Krylon Fusion paint for plastic.

[gran398]

He's come up with a better idea.


Life Calk comes in colors. White, "teak". mahogony, and black.

He's going to get a tube of white and a tube of teak.....and start off at say a 6/1 mix, judge the match, and put it in an empty caulk tube.

[Curious]

Hate to hijack the thread, but it got me thinking.  Are there any tricks to dealing with coffin top screws that don't bite on replacement?  5200 the hole, snug it up and let it sit?

[gran398]

Not a hijack young man...read some of my former posts

Lot of carpenters used to use match sticks and wood glue, let it set up...then re-drill. But your idea should get'r done too.

[slvrlng]

I overdrilled the screwholes with a 5/8 bit and then filled the hole with thickened epoxy. I let this cure for 48 hours, then redrilled the holes the right size. Before I put screw in I filled the new hole with clear silicone. This really worked well! I had to do it this way because when I tried tightening the screws down they were pulling through the glass as that was all that was holding them. There are areas in the 222 deck that are mulch because no one sealed them originally.

[gran398]

Excellent guidance...sure beats matchsticks

Since its the tank ledge, and you have good access...to prevent the epoxy from seeping down...put a few layers of masking tape on the hole bottoms.

[Skoot]

Excellent guidance...sure beats matchsticks

hahah, too funny! Brings back memories of my Father.
Growing up My father "always" had a wooden toothpick in his mouth. When working on projects around the house and if a screw would slip, he would take that toothpick, stuff it in the hole, break it off flush and the screw would tighten right down. He eventually switched to these plastic toothpick with an angled tip, and those worked even better at filling oversize holes. I bought a box of them just for this purpose. Come to think of it, I currently have a few of those plastic toothpicks and silicone in my coffin screw holes, worked like a champ.