oh no, silicone mess

[QuickMick]

I just rebedded all ports with new material. Limo glass on the four smaller, Lexan on the two big ones in the cabin. I used DAP and GE clear for the 'bedding' part and DAP black for the exterior bead. Someone at ye ole hardware told me i can remove excess with rubbing alcohol...

so in my infinite wisdom, thinking that the silicone was the cheapest part of the operation and the most critical i applied it very liberally. i mean very. LOL.

now i want to get the excess of the exterior side of the ports. my thumb has worked pretty well for most of it, but to really clean it up i wonder if any of you know the best solution. im particularly concerned about using anything that could perm. cloud the lexan.

thanks ahead, Quinn

[scottyt]

sell the boat it is the easiest way to get rid of the mess

[bljones]

ohhhhhh, no.

I'm sure others will be along shortly to castigate you fully, but in the meantime, here's my advice. Playing with it now will make an even bigger mess. Unless you get it cleaned up within 20 minutes of application, wait. Wait for it to cure fully, then carefully cut it back using a PLASTIC razor blade. It will cut the silicone goose droppings but not damage the FG underneath. clean up the remainder with goo-gone. NOT acetone.

[sailingdog]

First, I'd agree with BLJones... let the stuff cure and the cut the excess away with a plastic razor. I'd also point out that you really shouldn't listen to the guys at the hardware store, since most of them are completely clueless.

Second, you should have used Dow 795, not DAP or GE silicone from the hardware store, which is what it sounds like you used. DAP and GE are not structural adhesives like Dow 795 is, and really not well suited for this type of application.

Third, you probably should have gotten plexiglass or acrylic rather than lexan or polycarbonate for the big ports. If something hits the polycarbonate hard enough, it will flex and foreshorten—breaking the seal between it and the silicone. Acrylic generally will not do this.

Finally, by liberally spreading the silicone over the cabin top and sides, you've basically guaranteed that almost nothing will stick to those surfaces properly in the future. Silicone sealants tend to leave a trace of silicone oils that are very pernicious and difficult to remove or clean up. The oils get into the minute pores in the gelcoat and stay there.

Generally, when working with silicone and bedding ports in it, you should mask off the area around the port so that you can clean up the silicone very neatly and not contaminate the surrounding surfaces.

[braidmike]

Second, you should have used Dow 795, not DAP or GE silicone from the hardware store, which is what it sounds like you used. DAP and GE are not structural adhesives like Dow 795 is, and really not well suited for this type of application.

SD, when using polycarbonate (ie Lexan), Dow 995 has been formulated as a structural adhesive for that product. It seems to have a better bond with a wider range of substrates. I'm not an expert: I consulted with some when mounting some lexan, and this product has lived up to expectations. I think the modulus of elasticity is greater, compensating for the lexan's ability to 'give'. I know it does not clean-up as well as 795! Masking is imperative.

FWIW,
Mike

[sailingdog]

Braidmike—

Thanks for that info... I doubt the OP used Dow 995 or 795 though....

[QuickMick]

Luckily (if there is any to be found in this saga) the only mess i made is on the glass itself not the fiberglass.... ill try the plastic razor. gadzooks. one step forward and two steps back...

lol. thanks guys
Q