On 25 Apr 2005 18:07:35 -0700, lbeyer@gmail.com wrote:
I am working on a 18' Buzzards Bay Sloop of my dad's with varnished>decking. The varnish is completly peeling up, and in a few places the>caulking has come out. I am wondering what kind of options I have for>fixing this. I have stripped off most of the varnish and sanded it, so>that part is fine. I am wondering what I should do about the caulking.>What kind of stuff is out there? It should be black.>
The existing caulking looks like Sika Flex or something similar, is>that what I should use? Advice would be apreciated.
Your need better advice than I can provide but 3M does make a tube cartridge dispensed product called Teak Seal. The tube I bought is black but I haven't used it yet. There is black 4200/5200 also. I think my hatch covers were caulked with BoatLife, which is also black and a horrible chore to remove; an 18' deck would be impractical for someone working alone. I took a walk on the dock and most of the hatch and cockpit caulking was white, while decking (the 4 examples in hundreds of boats) is black. I'm still trying to find out if you varnish over the sealant for uv protection. I have had uv exposed 5200 seams fail after 3 years outside. Someone laughed and said, "well, duh, you're supposed to paint it". If you find out more about this please post your findings and good luck.
I have very limited experience of using caulking having only done a small 3'x4' bit of teak but sikaflex-290 was strongly recommended by local boat builders. It came in a cartridge and went on very easily and sands nicely. I did think it was expensive and was glad that I was only doing a small bit but then it does have a little icon with a spoked ships wheel on the tube so it was never going to be cheap.
Next year I will be re-doing all the hatches and seats so would be interested in any experiences you have.
Steve
lbeyer@gmail.com wrote:
I am working on a 18' Buzzards Bay Sloop of my dad's with varnished> decking. The varnish is completly peeling up, and in a few places the> caulking has come out. I am wondering what kind of options I have for> fixing this. I have stripped off most of the varnish and sanded it, so> that part is fine. I am wondering what I should do about the caulking.> What kind of stuff is out there? It should be black.>
The existing caulking looks like Sika Flex or something similar, is> that what I should use? Advice would be apreciated.>
<lbeyer@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1114477655.684162.197030@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...> I am working on a 18' Buzzards Bay Sloop of my dad's with varnished> decking. The varnish is completly peeling up, and in a few places the> caulking has come out. I am wondering what kind of options I have for> fixing this. I have stripped off most of the varnish and sanded it, so> that part is fine. I am wondering what I should do about the caulking.> What kind of stuff is out there? It should be black.>
The existing caulking looks like Sika Flex or something similar, is> that what I should use? Advice would be apreciated.>
It sort of depends on a lot of other issues, but I believe Sika flex is widely used. If it is a special old boat you might want to use tar and string. If it is decking over fibreglass then anything which looks right and stays in place will be okay. If there isn't a cabin beneath then you may not be too concerned with total watertightness.
BTW caulked decks are not normally varnished. You may not want to re-varnish.
'lbeyer' , IF you varnish a deck, you WILL slip, and you WILL fall. If it is a foredeck, hopefully that won't be overboard.
High gloss varnished 'decks' look great on the old 'Classic Chris Craft Barrel Back' or similar powerboat. However on a sailboat they are actually a hazard.
Take a look at the different products available for 'caulking' . Stay AWAY from the 'adhesives/sealers' like 5200, etc. READ the 'specs' on the tubes { 'caulking gun' size }. Some are actually designed for this chore. Also look at the manufacturers on-line sites. THEN . . . look on the shelves of Home Depot, Lowes, etc. In several cases the SAME actual products are there. In others, the only difference is the label. {20 years on a window exposed to weathering 12-months of the year vs. the 'pampered Summer' of a cherished sailboat ?? }
Finally . . . if that Buzzards Bay's deck is TEAK . . . it would be the equivalent of barratry to do anything other than to apply several coats of 'teak oil'. Followed by an oil wipe-down 'as needed'.
Regards & Good Luck, Ron Magen Backyard Boatshop
<lbeyer@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1114477655.684162.197030@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...> I am working on a 18' Buzzards Bay Sloop of my dad's with varnished> decking. The varnish is completly peeling up, and in a few places the> caulking has come out. SNIP
Let me know if you want any specific advice / suggestions.
Regards, Ron Magen Backyard Boatshop
<lbeyer@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1114706890.341639.130110@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...> SNIP> Ron Magen wrote:> SNIP> Thanks, that is the kind of advice I am looking for.>
