Sealants

[gary240]

I'm replacing my wash down pump that mounts to the stringer. Anyway I was going to seal the screw threads with 4200 ( because I'm anal) but when I stopped by a friends store to pick some up I was told to use just a good silicone sealant and save the money. I know how the 4200 is on clean up but with this pump mount I won't need to remove the screws again unless I change brands. What do you guy's think?

Gary

[offshore]

Since you are going into the stringers I would use 4200 or 5200. The screws will come out easy if you have to replace it again. I dont trust silicone. You might want to do what I did.
I mounted a 12" X 12" piece of starboard to my Stringer with 4 screws and 5200 to mount the pump to. This way if you have to replace the pumpp again and have to put new holes they go in the starboard and not the sringers. Also make sure your Pump motor is above the pumping head. Your pump will last longer if water is not dripping down the motor housing if you have a leak....Mark

[gary240]

Originally Posted by offshore

Since you are going into the stringers I would use 4200 or 5200. The screws will come out easy if you have to replace it again. I dont trust silicone. You might want to do what I did.
I mounted a 12" X 12" piece of starboard to my Stringer with 4 screws and 5200 to mount the pump to. This way if you have to replace the pumpp again and have to put new holes they go in the starboard and not the sringers. Also make sure your Pump motor is above the pumping head. Your pump will last longer if water is not dripping down the motor housing if you have a leak....Mark

Thanks Mark, That's a good idea. It seems the original pump had little if any sealant. I think I'll go w/ the 4200... small price to pay for piece of mind. And yea the pump will be below the motor.

Gary

[Capt. Fred]

Also, every screw or pilot hole I put in my boat I dab some epoxy in the hole with a tooth pick or Q-tip depending on the size of the hole. This will seal the wood fibers or core against absorbing water. Then I coat the screw itself with 4200 and screw it in. I use to worry that the epoxy would make it impossible to remove the screw if I ever have to take it out but I haven't had a problem with that issue. I've worked a lot on older boats and you won't believe the damage that screw and bolt holes can cause.