 |
|
|
|
Helpful Links, (for a supplier or applicator near you) |
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR
THIS SECTION 1. GS1-301 HULL CAULK CAULKING PRODUCTS GS1-301 HULL CAULK: 2-part, non-sag, putty consistency polysulfide rubber, blended from THIOKOL polymers, for caulking wooden hull seams and for bedding keels, through-hulls, heavy machinery, etc. 2 hour work life in average conditions, it cures solid overnight and may be sanded after 48 hours. Permanently flexible, with excellent adhesion, meets Military spec. #Mil-C-18255, Type II. One 3/4 gallon kit fills about 200 lineal feet of average seams, 3/4 quart kit about 50 lineal feet.
Curing solid overnight, it can be quickly walked upon so that other projects are not stalled. It is best to wait about 5 days or so to sand and it sands like the wood itself. Meets Military spec. #MIL-C-18255, Type I. One 3/4 gallon kit fills about 200 lineal feet of average seams; 3/4 quart kit about 50 lineal feet. GS 2703 WOOD PRIMER: 2-part primer/bonding agent to improve bond between caulks and wood. Two coats are applied to seams before caulking, with dry time between. Included in Military spec. #'s MIL-C-18255, Types I and II. DPA CAULKING CARTRIDGES: Foil-lined, 1/10 gallon cardboard tubes for installing Deck Caulk. Fit all standard manual and air caulking tools. 8 tubes are required for 3/4 gallon kit; about 2, for 3/4 quart kit. (Pictured just above) DETCO MIXERS: Stainless mixing heads for variable speed drill motors facilitate easy and complete mixing of 2-part caulks, heavy bottom paint and other high viscosity materials. Mix uniformity is certain and air bubbles are reduced. Model LM 10 fits quarts, Model HS10 fits gallons. There is no substitute.
NEW DECK SEAMS may be squared with rabbeted plank edges or "V" grooved by way of beveled plank edges. In the latter case, caulking cotton traditionally has been used as a base, over which the compound is applied for surface sealing. Either method is satisfactory with Deck Caulk, because of its excellent adhesion with wood, although seam depth of at least ¼" is strongly advised for maximal sealant effect. Most traditionalists maintain that "V" seams should be properly cotton-caulked before being topped with compound, based on the premise that cotton caulking stiffens the structure and there is much documentation of this. Some builders use Deck and Hull Caulk, however, to fill the entire seam, dispensing with the problem of cotton caulking deteriorating. When Deck or Hull Caulk is used for permanent bedding, it may be spread over surface with a serrated trowel. Working in a small area, planks may then be fastened over freshly applied compound. There will be some extrusion of the material through seams from the underside, providing extra insurance for a good seal, greatly reducing the possibility of rot and leakage. The slack seam grooves remaining may then be filled with Deck Caulk before sanding. OLD DECK SEAMS require careful preparation to achieve years of Detco protection. The old caulking compound, which must be removed, may be hardened or gummy. In either case, it should be taken down to the cotton in a "V" seam, and to the wood in a rabbeted seam. All traces of the old material should be cleaned from seam edges as well. PREPARATION Shipwrights have used a variety of simple, handmade tools for removing seam compounds. In the amateur’s hand, these "reefing" tools are far superior to power equipment for there is less chance of damaging adjacent wood surfaces. The tail of an old file may be heated, bent at a 90 degree angle, and ground to sharpness along the edges, to the shape of the seam. An old, good quality steel screwdriver may be similarly adapted, but it works more efficiently if the blade is bent parallel to the shank. The blade faces are then ground nearly to a point, leaving a burr on the narrow facet (see photo). This tool is then used to shear the old material from the seam edges, while the bent file breaks the bond at the seam bottom.
Inevitably, a few burrs or splinters will be found along the top edges of the seams. These can be easily eliminated by lightly sliding a coarse, half-round rasp along the seam, just enough to put a very slight bevel on the top corners. This will tend, also, to straighten a seam that has been distorted by reefing with power tools. Electric power tools can be adapted for seam reefing without too much difficulty. The face plate on a router or skill saw is altered by drilling, tapping and inserting small studs of blade width diameter. Better, a key several inches long, fitting snugly in the seam, is similarly installed behind the cutting bit. The key allows much less wobble. By hand reefing a few inches, blade and studs or key may then be inserted into groove. The blade then cuts out old material while guide provides stability. Considerable time may be saved by this method but more care must be exercised to avoid damage to planks. Hull seams can be reefed in this manner as well. Alternatively, a router may be used. Make a new face plate of Plexiglass or sheet metal stock. This tool allows good lateral stability and may produce a more even track along the seam, with more control, but it is slower and bits dull quickly. Battens may also be used with power tools. They are easily positioned by nailing into seams where holes will be covered with compound. Tool is then run along the edge as a fence to provide stability. After reefing is completed, carefully search seams for wood deterioration and repair as necessary. Renew slack cotton caulking as necessary, but leave at least 3/16" depth for the caulk. Check for loose plugs and renew as necessary. If refastening is needed, now is the time to do it. Seams should be thoroughly vacuumed to insure dust and debris-free surfaces. PRIMING THE SEAMS For maximal adhesion we recommend that DETCO
Wood Primer (GS
2703) be used in all installations. A penetrating bonding
agent, it is one of the ingredients in the total process which leads
toward the unusually fine results obtained. Check carefully for Thoroughly mix parts "A" and "B". Follow recommended mix ratio on label, if partial batch is prepared. Apply carefully to seam surfaces with stiff brush. Use a 2" throwaway, but cut the bristles down about half, to stiffen them. This prevents overloading the primer, one of the major causes of later failure. Run the brush parallel to the seam. Within a few minutes primer will dry. Apply a second coat, allow to dry until hard (an hour or more) and caulk immediately. Be sure primer well dried in the seams before caulking. CAULKING Caulk only when primed seams are clean and dry and preferably in ambient temperatures no less than 60°F nor more than 90°F. Deck Caulk has an approximate work life of 2 hours; considerably less in temperatures of 80°F or more or when humidity is high. Therefore, mix only what can be applied, for when cure begins, material may no longer be used. Material may be cooled in refrigerator or on ice before catalyzing and applying if temperature extremes are expected. Pot life will be thereby extended. Do not caulk if rain is expected within 24 hours.
Fast mixing will entrap air which promotes bubble formation during application and before material begins to gel. We recommend Detco Mixers to promote proper cure and suggest caution in the use of paint mixers which are often responsible for improper catalysis. Crimp can to form a spout, fill cartridges (about 2" from top) with catalyzed Deck Caulk and insert plastic plunger. Loading can be best accomplished by stacking tubes neatly in a box, as shown, reducing spillage and, certainly, an unnecessary mess. Cut nozzle on a bevel and wait to break nozzle seal until tube is in gun and you are prepared to caulk.
Deck Caulk is easily applied with a standard ratchet gun or, effortlessly, with a Detco G-100 Omni Gun, in either case using the DPA cartridges available from Detco or your dealer. Fill seams from the bottom up, moving gun slowly to assure compound has completely settled into seam. Overfilling assures complete coverage at the top and accommodates for the minor shrinkage taking place during cure. If decks will not be sanded after caulk application, masking tape can be applied along seam edges before priming. Seams should still be overfilled, however, to compensate for shrinkage during cure period. A bead may be left or surface can be smoothed with putty knife. Hold blade almost horizontal and apply downward pressure while drawing along seam. This will allow slight extrusion behind blade, leaving a convex surface, reducing the possibility of shrinkage. Deck Caulk becomes tacky rather soon after application, necessitating immediate removal of masking tape. After filling seams by either method, some bubbles will be evident, from air introduced while mixing. Just run a stiff wire, awl, pencil or other sharp object, along the bead a few times, within a few minutes after caulking an area. The bubbles will pop and the material will settle into the void, producing a blemish-free surface when later sanded. Clean equipment with MEK or acetone before caulk begins to gel. Use solventless hand cleaners for skin. Keep tools, hands and work area clean while working. HULL CAULKING Detco Hull Caulk is very thick and is best applied with a stiff putty knife. Work material well into seam and exercise care to eliminate voids or bubbles. Surface can be tooled smooth before curing or sanded after cure. Follow all other instructions applicable to Deck Caulk. Work life will average 2 hours. SANDING Normal cure time is about 48 hours at 75°F and 50% relative humidity, but this will vary with atmospheric conditions. It is best to wait 5 days or so before sanding.
We recommend not applying oil or surface coatings to decking as many of these materials, in concert with weather exposure and strong acidic or alkaline bleaches, can damage seam compounds. The natural non-skid qualities of wood are also often affected by coatings, as well. Detergent washes are best. Just allow the teak to weather naturally. Click Info Request for literature mailing or salesperson contact. Calculate needed caulk by referring the depth and width of your seams to the chart below:
PACKAGING:
Pint Kit 3/4 Qt. 3/4
Gal.
PRICING: EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2000
Click Info Request for mailing of literature or contact by salesperson. |
|
|
[Home Page] Detco Marine is an independent manufacturer and master distributor, under independent ownership from Sterling Lacquer Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of Sterling coating products. © 2004 DETCO Marine No portion hereof may be reproduced in any form without written permission of DETCO Marine
|
dirt in seams and re-vacuum if necessary. Surfaces must be dry and clean before
priming.
