what to caulk exposed aluminum seams with

[FishHog]

I was going to go with 3M 5200 to caulk the exposed seams on my 23' sylvan. This is basically the rub rail seam that runs the length of the boat. Its weathered, leaking in a few spots and I want to clean it up mainly for visual reasons. Unfortunatley after special ordering 2 tubes of tan 5200, I went to start last night and realized the "tan" is a lot darker than my boat. Since it is exposed, it would look horrible. I really need a beighe, but 3M doesn't appear to make a beighe.

I know I can just by beighe silicone exterior caulk at the local hardware, but not sure it will hold up. Was hoping someone would have a good suggestion, or know more about the different caulking types than me and be able to suggest a better product.

I could go white and then paint it, but that is a lot more work than just getting a matching caulk in the first place.

thanks for the help guys.

 

[FishHog]

Re: what to caulk exposed aluminum seams with

Come on Seamen, tell me what you know about Caulk.



sorry, couldn't resist

 

[djpeters]

Re: what to caulk exposed aluminum seams with

I don't think you can color match caulk...have to paint it.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: what to caulk exposed aluminum seams with

Meh. .. just ( If you really want to 5200 the seam ) ..just under fill it and then caulk with your color silicone. ..

Its just cosmetic and you can redo sections that do not hold well.

Do your 5200 (fast cure) then do your scotch bright and wipe with a clean rag .. then apply your tan silicone to it.

You should be fine for a spell or two .

YD.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: what to caulk exposed aluminum seams with

Try Sikaflex and see if they have a color that matches.

FWIW, I was at a high end custom paint store and saw them color tinting caulk once. They pulled all the caulk out of a tube, tinted it and stuck it back in a fresh clean tube. You could, run down and get a couple cheap tubes of alex caulk and clean them out. The buy a tube of white 5200 and mix it with the tan to make beige. You would cut it in with a large putty knife, at least that's how I saw them mixing the caulk. The color might not be a 100% match, but you could get close. If doing this you will need to use the original (slow cure) 5200 as the fast cure starts kicking when exposed to air, could become unworkable before you get it on the boat. (I don't know, that's just my opinion) Also, I would plan on mixing it, then immediately applying it.

Certainly not easy, but you should get the color match you are looking for.