So I know this is a big issue. But today I got another reason why not to use 5200.
Today 5200 claims the life of a Lewmar hatch on a J35.
Hatch costs 1100 buckaroos. I ended up bending the hell out of the frame and really destroyed it getting it out.
It was supposed to be sent off to be re windowed and such. And I worked really hard to get it out.
Now I am left with gelcoat repair and sealing a new hatch in.
I will be using LifeCaulk.
This is the second time this year 5200 has cost the customer. The other time is in a video I will be posting soon about thru hulls.
We had to destroy the thru hulls to get them out. Ended up costing customer 400 for a new unit as replacment parts werent available.
Just passing information along to you all, my ComPac friends.
Smooth sailing and even smoother repairs.
Mac
I don't understand this. I was able to loosen 5200 with a heat gun. And I didn't even use the solvent for 5200. Don't misunderstand me...it was not at all easy. I don't doubt Mac's skill and/or experience...I just haven't had those kinds of problems. Are there different kinds of 5200?
bob23
It wrinkled the aluminium surround 'cause the 5200 was not heated up.
IMHO skip.
I used 4200 when I installed my thru hull depth finder. It was a good thing I did as I screwed it up and had to reinstall. I posted a video about that insanity called Installing a Thru Hull Depth Finder - Proving the concept that doing something wrong is more of an education that doing it right the first, second and third times. Not that it took that many attempts M
I started to use heat but that damned aluminum kept using it up.
It was a flush mount and so a putty knife would have been more than adequet to get between the boat and the frame.... and yet it still fought me.
I Tried heat on the Thru hulls I had to remove and no luck there either..... those came out, after permission from the customer, with a small sledge hammer and all new electronics put it.
I hate costing customers money........ seriously, that is not my intention.
Mac
Thanks for all your input on the 5200 in various posts. I have used it with good results, but only on things that I never plan on taking apart again(like my deck to hull joint repair). I can see where in your job it can be a real nightmare, let's not forget guys, from Mac's point of view working in a commercial shop, they don't have the luxury of taking 2 full days to fight with something the owner did... I see it all the time at my work, we spend hours upon hours dealing with a customer created problem, and then they refuse to pay, we either eat the loss or fight for months or years to collect what we are owed. It's the classic "Right tool for the right job" situation, the 5200 has it's uses, but it's not the all in one solution.
IMHO 5200 should never be used above the waterline. A long time ago I used to primarily use life seal above the waterline and life caulk below the waterline. Both have a good bonding ability but not a permanant bonding ability!