LIfting techdek / flexi teak

PeterM · 09 February 2009, 15:50

On the list of jobs to do to keep bringing the boat back to top standard the most fiddly seems to be glueing the fake deck back down in one or two areas where it seems to have either not been bonded properly or has suffered with water ingress ( or a bit of both) .

I did find out which one it was , but cant recall off the top of my head right now.

Anyone have any experience of doing this in a nice easy quick way ( rather than lift it & start again which is what has been suggested.). I've got Sika flex lined up , but will this be up to it it I just squeeze it under & stand on it for a while till it sets ?

Thanks

Pete

JABS · 09 February 2009, 16:56

Have a look at: http://www.tek-dek.co.uk/laying_guide.php

I imagine that the 'faux' teak decks are all made from a similar material.

It looks as if they use a special adhesive, rather than Sikaflex.

Might be worth reading the laying instructions.

I would be interested in knowing how you get on. I would suspect the most difficult job will be cleaning before glueing. Could be worth using thinners to be sure it is grease free.

Would be interested in knowing how you get on.

codprawn · 09 February 2009, 17:55

How about making a small hole - then injecting with very thin epoxy and placing weights on the deck - should do the trick!!!

JABS · 09 February 2009, 18:04

Surely you need an adhesive that has some flex in it?

Epoxy will tend to crack as the floor and deck flex??

codprawn · 09 February 2009, 19:25

Epoxy is used in all sorts of structures - even hulls flex a little. I would be more concerned about it's ability to stick to the flexiteak stuff - depends how rough the underside is.

JABS · 10 February 2009, 09:50

To quote the Tek Dek web site:

Tek-Dek Bonding Adhesive is used to secure Tek-Dek to almost any surface including, wood, fibreglass, metal and concrete.

It is a single part polyurethane adhesive based on an MS-Polymer. It produces a tough flexible rubber bond which is resistant to water, solvents and heat but allows the boat to flex naturally.

Tek-Dek Bonding Adhesive is available in both black and white and in 3 sizes:

I think the critical phrase is: Allows the boat to flex naturally.

I aree that epoxy can be used on the hull, but decks are generally more flexible and some resiliance will help.

There is also the issue that epoxy tends to be demanding of a very clean and dry bonding surface. Other adhesives tend to be more tolerant.

Rogue Wave · 10 February 2009, 10:51

your problem with any quick fix is the adhesive will not be bonding to a clean prepared surface so it'snot going to bond 100%. The stuff comes up quite easilt with a gentle persuasion from a heat gun on te glue line. and I do mean gentle!

codprawn · 10 February 2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

I think the critical phrase is: Allows the boat to flex naturally.

I aree that epoxy can be used on the hull, but decks are generally more flexible and some resiliance will help.

There is also the issue that epoxy tends to be demanding of a very clean and dry bonding surface. Other adhesives tend to be more tolerant.

Epoxy is used on decks and all sorts of places - also there are epoxies that will cure underwater.

PeterM · 10 February 2009, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

your problem with any quick fix is the adhesive will not be bonding to a clean prepared surface so it'snot going to bond 100%. The stuff comes up quite easilt with a gentle persuasion from a heat gun on te glue line. and I do mean gentle!

This is my big worry really - even the best forms of anything dont stick well to dirt/ sand & I dont want to pull up 'good deck' to be able to get to bits that aren't 100% . There may be no way round doing that, or I just live with it for a while & then get the whole lot replaced in a few years time. Its not really noticable it just bugs me that water can get under there & comes out when you press down on it.

Of course it could be the deck itself thats lifting ! but I'd rather not think that !

Dirk Diggler · 10 February 2009, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackroady

This is my big worry really - even the best forms of anything dont stick well to dirt/ sand & I dont want to pull up 'good deck' to be able to get to bits that aren't 100% . There may be no way round doing that, or I just live with it for a while & then get the whole lot replaced in a few years time. Its not really noticable it just bugs me that water can get under there & comes out when you press down on it.

Of course it could be the deck itself thats lifting ! but I'd rather not think that !

In the words of the song, "rip it up and start again" !!!!!