Sealant Question

[Walt McLean]

I need to replace a port light bulb and will need to use a sealant after I replace the bulb to bond and waterproof the light socket. I note that some people like life caulk while others like silicone sealant. Where I am bonding metal to fibreglass, which would be better? I understand silicone holds up better to sunlight. Is there some disadvantage to using life caulk in that it may not completely harden? Is silicone too tough to remove? I am a new owner and know very little!
Anyway please send suggestions



atope@bellatlantic.net

[Richard Hill]

I need to replace a port light bulb and will need to use a sealant after I replace the bulb to bond and waterproof the light socket. I note that some people like life caulk while others like silicone sealant. Where I am bonding metal to fibreglass, which would be better? I understand silicone holds up better to sunlight. Is there some disadvantage to using life caulk in that it may not completely harden? Is silicone too tough to remove? I am a new owner and know very little!
Anyway please send suggestions

Either will work, but I think silicone is preferred in this application. You're just trying to create a gasket, and silicone is good for that purpose. Before you start applying any gooey stuff, however, make a template with blue masking tape or mask off the area around where you'll be working. This will keep the stuff from getting all over EVERYTHING! I think I could cover my county with one tube of the stuff. Don't forget to put a dab under the heads of the screws. When you have put caulk on the pieces and screwed it down lightly (don't tighten it down fully, yet), you can remove the masking tape and the excess caulk with it. Come back a couple of days later and fully tighten down and you'll have a nice tight gasket. The main thing here is not to get silicone on areas that might have to be painted in the future - it's really tough to fully remove (you can get most of it off by just rolling it with your finger, but any leftover silicone residue will keep paint from adhereing). I think you'll find that it's really easier done than said.



captrahill@comcast.net

[Larry DeMers]

I agree with Richards advice if you are indeed using screws to afix this device in place. However, your letter said "Where I am bonding metal to fibreglass", and this is a whole different consideration. Life Caulk is just that..a caulk to keep out water primarily, and to give a seal to the two pieces. It does not bond things too well however. For that, silicon would be better if the correct prep is used (alcohol wipe down of both surfaces).
Drilling and screwing two pieces together with a caulk between would be the best method however, and then Richards advice would be spot on. I like that idea of surrounding the area with masking tape...that stuff seems to defy gravity itself, and gets everywhere!

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

I need to replace a port light bulb and will need to use a sealant after I replace the bulb to bond and waterproof the light socket. I note that some people like life caulk while others like silicone sealant. Where I am bonding metal to fibreglass, which would be better? I understand silicone holds up better to sunlight. Is there some disadvantage to using life caulk in that it may not completely harden? Is silicone too tough to remove? I am a new owner and know very little!
Anyway please send suggestions

demers@sgi.com