Butyl tape temperature range

[tominny]

Butyl tape afficinados,

In what temperature range can butyl tape be applied to bed deck hardware and port lights? Since there doesn't seem to be any cure time, can I apply it at 32 degrees outside temperature (but the butyl will be at rom temperature)?

Will expansion in the summer be a problem?

Or should I wait until April? ;-)
Thanks

[peterchech]

I just re-bedded my traveler in butyl. It was about 40-45 degrees. I kept the butyl in the cabin while waiting to cut it, but the cabin couldn't have been more than 55 degrees. I don't know yet whether it is waterproof, and the stuff took a while to squeeze out, but it seems fine now after re-tightening once. I just hope that in the summer it doesn't compress more, which would require me to tighten the bolts again.

I also used it to bed some screws, putting a tiny roll of it all around the head. I know you aren't supposed to turn the head when bedding hardware, but I had no choice but to use screws on one application (installing a solar vent) and it was either butyl or silicone. I chose butyl. I also don't yet know if it's waterproof but if not I will post it.

I will be installing some new ports soon, simple acrylic sheet installation, and I will want to bed those screws too so if someone knows a better way to seal up screws (not bolts) let us all know.

[Barquito]

I assumed that any bedding material only fills irregularities in the mating surfaces. In that, they are tightened down just as far as if there was no bedding material. The butyl or silicone just fills the voids. Therefore, in colder weather it should just take a little longer for the butyl to squish out.