5200 Tips
 

My weekend plans include sealing my bracket to my transom with a bead of 5200. I have never used 5200 before. Any tips to help make it a success would be greatly appreciated. At this point, my plan is to tape of a realitvely narrow seam, apply the 5200 and use a wet, gloved finger to smooth it out and press it into the seam. That's the only way I have ever had much luck with latex caulk. Does 5200 work pretty similarly? Would I be better off using a tool?

Thats what I would do exactly to get a nice smooth clean look. I think your on track. My 2 cents.

Used acetone instead of water on your finger.

Please remember to wear gloves. Acetone can probably dissolve and transport stuff through your skin that you don't want. 5200 is a urethane adhesive. I think a pretty benign one, but some urethanes are terrible central nervous system toxins. So I would use the edge of a chrome socket to form a fillet or at least gloved fingers. You might be able to wax or PVA dip a socket to help with the stickiness and/ or removal later. I would do a test run- this is just a suggestion.

Also, some solvents inhibit the cure of some systems. Denatured alcohol works fine with some epoxies, but inhibits some gel coats, for example. Ask me and my sander how I know. So test first and make sure it cures before you do the real thing.

No reason to use 5200 if you're just running a bead around the outside of your bracket. Use the 4200UV fast cure which won't sag as much and obviously cure faster. Taping is important and I use regular mineral spirits to clean it up. With the mineral spirits: use plenty and keep wiping, it really helps to have a roll of those blue shop towel paper towels.

Too late for the 4200, I already have the 5200.

I may wear gloves and use the chrome socket or some other tool to form a fillet if the glove isn't working. I will definitely get some acetone too. Thanks guys.

Mineral spirits.

I've used 5200 and acetone plenty without gloves and I have had no ill affects. My best friend theolodus the one eyed double horn Unicorn doesn't like the way 5200 tastes though. He tells me every time I use it. Actually, that's the only time I see him, is when I use 5200 and acetone. Oh we'll...

Good luck.

Wd40 also helps in cleaning it up. Get a bunch of shop rags and use them blue shop towels won't hold up very well.

Ding.

Ding.

I also recommend doubling up on the nitrile/latex gloves.
Put on two pairs that way when your up to your elbows in 5200 and your phone rings/need to scratch/drop something/need to operate a doorknob, you can take off one glove and not have to try and put new ones back on.

I don't know what it is with 5200 (and anti-seize for that matter) but I swear you only need a teaspoon and you could cover the whole county.

:)

Make sure you tape everything! I think I used 4 tubes and I think most of it squeezes out. I remember bolting up fairly tight. Cleaning up the mess of 5200. Then pulling all tape. Then bolting up really tight (after a partial cure) and running a finishing bead of 5200 to make a nice radius.

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Break a Leg ;)

A rubber squeegee (the best) or plastic spreader cut to about 3" wide works well for removing the excess.

Glad to hear mineral spirits are the preferred solvent. That I have on hand. To be clear, the bracket is already installed, I'm just putting on a sealing/finishing bead in hopes of eliminating a mysterious slow leak that fills the bracket every summer. I am assuming a single tube should be enough. That's all I bought. Would I be wise to grab more before geting started?

One tube will do it.

Ain't that the truth.

I like to use a tongue depressor to smooth caulk. Pack of 100 from a craft store is about $2.00.

Mineral spirits better then acetone!

all went well with this project this weekend. I'm hoping to get it in the water next weekend. Hopefully this cures the leaking issue. Thanks for all the advice.

I never use 5200. at some time that bracket will come off. then the swearing starts. been there done that on transducers below waterline. I use 4200. or life caulk. its done now hope it solves the issue.

I would normally agree. That's why I've never used it before but the bracket had already been attached using 5200 so there was no going back anyway.

I love 5200. I can trust it. Mount your 500# motor with 5200 and wait a few days then take all the bolts out. The motor wont budge. You will have to rip off the paint and probably a little fiberglass to get it off. Not a problem if you are good with fiberglass. When I cut a 3" hole in the bottom of my boat and mount the transducer I know it is never going to leak or come loose.... That's a good feeling. I once spent 1/2 a day trying to remove a thru hull transducer mounted with 5200. Air chisel, hammer, crow bars etc... finally got it off. I love that chit :)

strick

Life caulk with 80# mono beneath is takeapartable. Put the mono in tight around the bottom curve inside ending at one O clock on the bracket.