RE: catalina27-talk: Hand rails

[Judith Blumhorst, DC]

Frank,   For teak, I've stuck with the old-fashioned, time tested solution of polysulfide sealants (aka Thiokols). Polysulfide's's got excellent qualities of  adhesion, flexibility and elasiticity.   With teak, you use a special primer for use on oily woods. I use 3M teak primer with 3M 101, so I know the two compounds are compatible together.     Polysulfides resist acids and bases like you find in teak cleaners, which is one big reason it's a good choice for bedding teak rails and trim.     It'll last a really long time too - it's not at all unusual for it to keep working for 10 years or more. I've seen winches and teak trim bedded in polysulfides that lasted 25 years without leaking.  (Incidentally, the black caulking between the planks of a genuine teak deck is polysulfide and it generally lasts decades.)   Polysulfide adhere well to fiberglass, but don't use them on most plastics.  It dissolves most plastics.   I use denatured alcohol to clean up, and lots of toilet paper.    Fair winds, Judy B 1977 Catalina-27 Tall Rig, hull #3459,Bijou, currently being stripped and refit with all new systems. Sailing San Francisco Bay Area Visit Bijou’s website at <http://www.blumhorst.com/catalina27/catalinahomepage.htm>   Commodore Emeritus, Potter Yachters of Northern California 1985 West Wight Potter 19 #266, Redwing Danville/SF Bay, CA Potter Yachters website at <http://potter-yachters.org/> Potter Forum on the TrailerSailor website. http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/potter/index.cgi Judy B's Potter Website at  <http://www.blumhorst.com/potterpages>   -----Original Message----- From: catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of frank hines Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2006 7:50 PM To: catalina27-talk@memberclicks.com Subject: catalina27-talk: Hand rails Well I've heard excellent posts about using bytyl and 4200 sealing of the hand rails.  I've heard good results using 4200 but no one posted good results using the butyl solution.  I only paid $13.00 for the tape. I spent one night with water dripping on my head before removing the hand rails and swore it won't happen again. (anyone else been there?)  I guess I'm bending toward the 4200 solution.  It's only $13.00 tossed into the hole in the water.     Dr. Judy, what is your preference on sealing surface mounted equipment.  I'm sure you have found a good solution during all your work.   Frank Hines #6607 First Luff