Using Sikaflex

[Wightdiver]

Just been down to the boat to do a few jobs, try as I might I just could not get the sikaflex to come out of the tube. Brand new tube, and yes I did pierce the cap, but it was just to thick. I ended up cutting the top off of the tube and spreading it on with my best screwdriver.

Would warming it up help?

Any other ideas?

Andy

[jelwood]

Yeah warming it helps, we get this alot as the stores are always absolutely freezing!

just leave it in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes, should sort it right out buddy

[yam man]

I normally leave it on the dash with blower on hot

[Max...]

And conversely if using a part tube cling film or seal it well and keep in the freezer to stop it going off.

[Wightdiver]

Thanks guys, as soon as the fingers have recovered I will give it another go.

[Pikey Dave]

is it 291? it's not usually that bad, especially considering the mild weather. Have you got a GOOD mastic gun? It sounds like it might be old stock that's starting to go off.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

especially considering the mild weather.

He said last weekend... We had snow up here last weekend...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

He said last weekend... We had snow up here last weekend...

Yes, but he's in Fareham

[Wightdiver]

Bought a new gun, planning to try again soon, will post the results

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Have you got a GOOD mastic gun?.

Agreed. I tidied my workshop the other day and noticed that I'd somehow acquired 6 mastic guns. 5 went in the bin, total shite.

Along with non gun applied asserol expanding foam, uncontrollable, one shot mayhem in a can.

[Wightdiver]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Agreed. I tidied my workshop the other day and noticed that I'd somehow acquired 6 mastic guns. 5 went in the bin, total shite.

Along with non gun applied asserol expanding foam, uncontrollable, one shot mayhem in a can.

Any recommendations? Just bought the best that B&Q had, not used it yet but doesn't look any better than the last one.

There must be a Rolls Royce gun out there?

Andy

[Mollers]

This is my 'go to'. Power Pro Cartridge Sealant Silicone Mastic Caulk Caulking Gun Powerpro Skeleton | eBay

I paid a fair bit less locally however.

[Pikey Dave]

B&Q trade point or Screwfix used to do an "ever build" branded one, dunno if they still do, but as good as you'll get.

[Hightower]

Don't waste your money on sikaflex Andy. Go to Toolstation in the industrial estate up by Raymarine and buy some Stixall. Same stuff as sikaflex but less than half price.

[paintman]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Agreed. I tidied my workshop the other day and noticed that I'd somehow acquired 6 mastic guns. 5 went in the bin, total shite.

Along with non gun applied asserol expanding foam, uncontrollable, one shot mayhem in a can.

Brilliant. That's one I'm going to log for future use.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Marine flex as good as sika last time I bought some £15 for three tubes military use it,we have done tests at work 200 psi pull off onto a ground surface applied underwater.
Stuck my shock seat bases down with it.

[Stevie J]

Jeff...

Do you think the marine seal is as good or better than sikkaflex?

Been quite dissapointed with the results of the last few tubes of sikkaflex I've used recently.

Admittedly, the surfaces were unavoidably damp when the stuff was put on, but you mention this stuff was put on underwater!?

Trade Sealants Ltd marinemastics.com

Good price too!

S

[craig_c]

Throw all your manual mastic guns away. You need to be mastic yoda to get a nice even finish.

18V Cordless Caulking Gun | Power Tools | Ryobi Tools

We got these in work years ago. I was the biggest skeptic but I'm happily converted now. lets you concentrate on your aim and gives a lovely smooth bead.

We also use a spray bottle with water or swarfega Jizer/water mix if you want to smooth it out. Takes a little bit of practice but it means you can manipulate the finish you want without the stuff sticking to your blue glove.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Stevie J

Jeff...

Do you think the marine seal is as good or better than sikkaflex?

Been quite dissapointed with the results of the last few tubes of sikkaflex I've used recently.

Admittedly, the surfaces were unavoidably damp when the stuff was put on, but you mention this stuff was put on underwater!?

Trade Sealants Ltd marinemastics.com

Good price too!

S

hi steve

certantly as good as sika, i use sikaflex as well but tube life seems to be short with sika for some reason soon as the air gets to it.
marine flex in my opinion does a good job had it on my shock seats with no dramas at all for 3 years stuck an anchor bucket down with it on top of flowcoat never moved.
we do underwater painting at work some times and needed a compound to fill in crevices to prevent crevis corrosion hence i trialed it and did some tests basic prep applied by mastic gun left to cure and not a bad pull off pressure.
theres also a mastic called swellseal also applied underwater and as it says swells on cure 350% not used it on a boat [ideal for sealing transom bolts etc] but have used it to seal steel plates on penstock gates where it meets the brickwork to make the seal.
as a tip for storing we use to use aquasure for mending dry suits which we kept in the fridge to give long life just take out 24 hours before use to bring to room temp might work with sika once opened.
hope that helps.

cheers

[Stevie J]

Jeff,

Thanks for tip on swellseal. We've been attempting to seal deck leaks around bolts and a plate with sikaflex to limited success.

Guys, DIY silicone, decorators caulk and sikaflex tip... Baby wipes! It will change your lives.

Nice neat finish.

S