posted 07-31-2001 10:52 PM ET (US)        

---

When drilling into fiberglass, which caulk should I use that will both be a strong hold and keep all water out?

Help!

Thanks!-0 Paul

posted 07-31-2001 11:08 PM ET (US)            

---

Tom-

Thanks for the info.
Is there anything I shouls be careful of?
Do they all dry clear?

_PL

posted 07-31-2001 11:20 PM ET (US)            

---

Paul,

They do not dry clear. They are colored. What you buy is what you get. The most common colors are white, gray, black but there are others, though you will have a harder time finding them. The only thing worth a darn that dries clear is clear silicone. What exactly are you trying to caulk?

posted 08-01-2001 07:45 AM ET (US)            

---

Tom-

Good morning!
I am trying to install a factory stern seat.
So maybe Caulk is the wrong word.
I will bee drilling new holes and want to make sure that they are water tight.

Any help would be appreicated.

Thank you!
-Paul

posted 08-01-2001 10:51 AM ET (US)            

---

Paul,

OK, so you're drilling holes and want to seal them. Use a white polyurethane or polysulphide like those mentioned above. Be sure to clean up the "sqeeze-out" with acetone and a paper towel and/or Q-tip swab. I always wear disposable gloves simply because once you get some caulk on your fingers it will "travel". Same goes for tying to use a rag. I just grab a roll of paper towel and a paper grocery sack or some other receptacle to toss the soiled paper towels and Q-tips into. It just seems to go easier for me this way.

All the above mentioned caulks have slightly different properties but for your purposes it doesn't much matter. For example, Sika 231 is a sealant with some good adhesive power, 241 is a super strong adhesive sealant much like 3M 5200. Sika 240 is a slow drying version of 241. The minutia of the differences goes on and on. There are also dozens of other perfectly satisfactory caulks out there but just use what you can lay your hands on. For screw holes it will be fine.

posted 08-01-2001 10:46 PM ET (US)            

---

Tom-

Thanks!
Job is complete!
And it looks awesome!

_paul

posted 08-01-2001 10:57 PM ET (US)            

---

Paul,

I'm gald it went well. Pray tell, where are you located?

posted 08-02-2001 08:20 AM ET (US)            

---

Tom-

I am located in Massachusetts.
Where are you located?

-Paul

posted 08-02-2001 10:17 AM ET (US)            

---

Paul,

I'm in Seattle. I just had a feeling you were the guy I sold my 18OR to; his name was Paul, I think, and he was talking about the need to find and install a stern seat. It's too bad I had no knowledge of this site when I sold that boat. I would have directed the guy here.