Best Caulk?

Strecker25

Strecker25

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Nov 20, 2014
4,916
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
2002 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 350HP 3126
I have some stuff that I want to recaulk this year. Most of it is cosmetic. Rub rail, gaps between some fiberglass panels in the cockpit, window seams, etc. I'm a huge fan of 3m products, but I don't love their marine silicone. It goes on fine and does the job, but collects a TON of dirt and looks black within like a week of applying it.

Anyone have a better recommendation for caulking that doesn't get dirty so quick? I've heard life-caulk is good but have never used it.
 
I use the BoatLife Life Seal. On our 260DA, I completely redid the caulk on everything. I used painter's tape for the rubrail and some other places and it came out very professional looking. I am preparing to go over our 44DB soon and will use the same. One thing that I did that helped....I took a small cup and filled it 1/2 full of regualr alcohol. I dipped my finger in the alcohol before smoothing the caulk lines. Once smoothed, pull the tab and came out perfect.

Bennett
 
i plan to do the same thing this season using BoatLife caulk.....it supposedly will not yellow over time due to UV rays from the sun....

cliff
 
thanks guys, I'll try the boatlife stuff. I think the issue with the 3m marine silicone was it's just too tacky even when dried so everything sticks to it
 
quality time said:
Check out 3M 4000UV. It's a Polyether and much easier to work with than silicone.
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Good idea, I forgot about that stuff. I used it to rebed the deck hardware last year and I did like how it dried harder harder than the silicone
 
juggernaut1 said:
Sikasil-N plus is another option
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That's the name I was trying to remember... I used that to re-caulk my entire windshield. Going into third season and still looks like I just did it.

Unfortunately caulk is like wax.... Your going to get a lot of different answers
 
Last edited:
+1 on BoatLife Seal. Its easier to work with than BoatLife Caulk.
 
badtothebones said:
Boatlife seal white or clear?
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Typically white but I've used both. Depends on what I'm working with. Fiberglass on both sides or fiberglass to stainless steel then white. Fiberglass to a black gasket (windlass switches) I use clear. It's just a personal choice.
 
Where does 3m 4200 fall in this spectrum. I used it this spring to re-caulk the seam where the track for my aft bimini screws into the radar arch. Used painters tape and a finger (no alcohol) and was pretty easy to work with. Also used to bed new radome last spring.
 
quality time said:
Not sure compared to Boatlife products but 4200 can yellow where 4000UV will not.
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I used 4200 on my thru hull drip tubes and they are starting to yellow already (after 1 year). Will definitely be using life seal next time.
 
Don’t waste your money on there “marine” caulks. I used GE Silicone II on the rub rail and deck seams 3 years ago and it’s still looks good. And at $8-10 per tube vs $20-30! I too did much googling and remember someone on a forum mentioning one of the major builders using this stuff.
Also taping your seams allows for a much neater job. Allows you to smooth the joint without getting it everywhere.
My opinion and experience.
 
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