If butyl tape is the stuff that comes in a black layer between two sheets of brown waxed paper (sorta like the flat taffy we used to get between sheets of waxed paper) yes. I used it to bed one of the pieces of 1/4 inch Lexan I used to replace the side lights. It has started to leak after about 4 years exposure. The exposed edges look dry and cracked. I bedded the other in black silicone (the only place I would ever consider using silicone is to bed plastic) and it has not leaked. I would have used polysulfide, but all literature (exception was Bob Eeg) said anything but silicone would eventually eat up the Lexan. I tried a test piece and after several weeks, no damage I could see. Polysulfide won't hurt the boat and at worst, it would damage the glass and you would get to replace it. Polysulfide won't hurt any metal fittings or the glass boat and would be my #1 choice to bed anything plastic and is probably what I'd use today if I had to choose. With practice, the messy factor can be curtailed. Downside is it is slow to cure. You also don't want to fully tighten the fittings until after it has cured. If the stuff you are thinking of is the automotive glass bedding and glazing compound, I'd consider it, but there is an adhesive factor. Just had two windshields replaced. Missed seeing it go together by a few minutes, but the installer tells me the only thing holding the windshield on is that stuff. Try a test piece. Howard On Jan 8, 2009, at 12:22 PM, Gordon Gilbert wrote:
I'm removing most of the deck hardware on my M-17, epoxy-lining the attachment holes and rebedding everything this winter. The fiberglass guy at the place I store my boat suggested that I use butyl tape as a bedding compound instead of polysulfide caulk. He said it's easier to work with and that he hasn't experienced a leak with it yet.
Considering how messy polysulfide caulk can be, I'm tempted to try butyl tape -- but most importantly I want a good, long-lasting seal. Does anyone out there have experience with the stuff?
Gordon M-17 #377 "Sapphire" Milwaukee
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