Re: [Paddlewise] sealer for bulkheads

From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2003 11:03:59 -0700
alex" <al.m_at_3web.net> asked:

>I didn't notice any mention of the hull material, but would suspect that
>this is important too.  Are you guys talking of fiberglass or poly?  How
>about good adhesive for poly - not necessarily flexible?

We were discussing composite boats, I think:  FG with either epoxy or
polyester/vinylester resin as part of the matrix.

By "poly" I assume you mean polyethylene, as in rotomolded boats?  I do not
have a good answer for gluing bulkheads to polyethylene.  Polyethylene does
not take well to any adhesive I know of.  In my experience, by horribly
roughening the surface, contact cement works OK for minicell for padding, and
3M 3532 works OK for low-stress applications where the hull will not be
flexed.  I would guess if the bulkhead material is tight fitting, 3M 5200 or
silicone sealer would be equally "good," but not very good.  I have seen a
handful of polyethylene boats with bulkheads separated from the hull ...
probably because of rough handling in surf, or some other interaction that
caused oilcanning.  I'd be curious if others have solved this problem.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR

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Received on Wed Jun 11 2003 - 11:04:05 PDT

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