Rebedding/sealing canvas studs and screws?

[JMacLeod]

Hello Brats, long time no-C.
My apologies for not contributing in awhile.
With close family losses both young and old, life for us has been a blurry mess, put on pause since my last post in 2020.
"Man makes plans, God laughs", as grandma would've say.

Anyway, I recently got back in the saddle again and removed all the canvas snaps and frame hardware to have the gelcoat professionally done and ceramic coated.



The Florida sun is brutal on both gelcoat and batteries, so I also removed the benchseat top to replace both start batteries and need to re-bed it.



I bought some new stainless studs and screws to replace the original self-tapping ones.
Hopefully they'll stay easier to snap and unsnap in the long run.



Before installing the new screws and rebedding the seat, what's the advice on sealing them?
I have Sikaflex, 4200, 5200, and butyl sealants at my disposal.

Finally, I'm still playing around with those darn fishboxes.
While trying to figure out gasket ideas, I noticed two missing hinge screws that need to be replaced.



Any advice for those and the rest of the screws before any more decide to work themselves out like the one in the hinge above it?

 

[JMacLeod]

Decided on 4200 for the snap studs.





Just enough to fill the threads and squeeze out the rim.
Cleans up nice with a toothpick after it sets for 15-20 minutes.



Still wondering what to bed the bench seat top with, Sikaflex or butyl?

 

[thataway]

I like 4000, in that it does not yellow, as 4200 tends to do. But the 4200 works well.

For plastics I like the Boat life, life calk. It is a urethane/silicone combo and best for plastics.

There are multiple Sikaflex compounds. You would have to specify which one you have.

Good on renewing the boat! If. you find a "cure" for the fish leaking gaskets--worth a bunch of $$$$

 

[djstelly]

For the missing screw on fish box lids, look into SST nylon locknut with washer for bevel head bolts 8-24 or 10-32 size versus wood or sheet metal type screw.

 

[JMacLeod]

For plastics I like the Boat life, life calk. It is a urethane/silicone combo and best for plastics.

There are multiple Sikaflex compounds. You would have to specify which one you have.

I have a cartridge of 291, but I can order some Boat Life if you think that's best.

 

[thataway]

For plastics I like the Boat life, life calk. It is a urethane/silicone combo and best for plastics.

There are multiple Sikaflex compounds. You would have to specify which one you have.

I have a cartridge of 291, but I can order some Boat Life if you think that's best.

Here is directly from the Sika website:

Sikaflex®-291 must not be used to seal plastics that are prone to stress cracking (e.g. Plexiglas, Polycarbonate, etc.).

I have not used Sika products--they are less expensive, and for many items that might make a real difference. The 3M products have become outrageously expensive.

The hybrid silicone/ urethane of Boat life, Life Caulk is what is recommended for plastics to fiberglass.

 

[JMacLeod]

Thanks Bob.
I bought the 291 based off of recommendations when bedding the cleats, but ended up using butyl for them.
I'll use the Life-Calk for this application.