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.