Re-Bedding Fixtures and an Apology

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

mstrpo,

I'm new to the idea of using a product described of as "tape" for bedding. So I went to a site called marinehowto.com. Seems like cheating....I want to play. While I manage with 5200 and some other polys I do tend to make a mess. Thanks, looks like it was meant for me.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

I'll be installing a Bimini this week. Does anyone know if the tops of the cockpit side decks on our 2004 22 have coring in them?

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

The reason I asked about coring is that I'm about to instal a Carver Bimini. The mounting hardware consists of #10 x 1" screws. This would normally be plenty for fiberglass but in this case it be drilled through gelcoat, gelcoat that I don't want to crack. The manufacturer does not call for bedding products and I see no need for it either if the deck does not have core.
Thoughts on this?

ssobol · Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:38 am Post subject: Re: Bimini Install

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

Thanks, Yes I'll Watch that.

Tom Hruby · Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 4:28 pm Post subject:

To drill through gel coat without causing cracks I saw the folks at NMI start the hole with a countersink bit and then followed by a drill bit of the needed size. I watched them do it, and it really works.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

Hi Tom,
Yes I've done it before but it was yrs ago. I wonder though how deep? I'm assuming only the depth of the Gelcoat as I believe it isn't the fiberglass that is potentially cracking but rather just the gelcoat???

ssobol · Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 7:31 pm Post subject:

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

Well that'll be a first. I. never did that but I do drill in forward but gently...

You run the drill in reverse to get through the gelcoat to prevent chips. Cracks are a different issue.[/quote]

Tom Hruby · Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 11:20 am Post subject:

Don Yes they used the countersink only to drill through the gel coat. To drill through the fiberglass however it is best to use the hardest bit you have. The glass is abrasive and can easily dull a standard bit.

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

The bed-it tape is 1/2" Wide. Many of my fittings are one inch or more in width, case in point the bimini mount I'm about to mount is over 1" wide. How do you handle the tape? Do you double up, stretch it or what? My thoughts are to double it up.

mstrpo · Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 11:32 am Post subject:

I think either could work. The idea is to have enough of the tape in place to seal the area, but the only area that is critical to seal is the hole thru the boat! My experience with it resulted in lots of tape material being pushed out from under the fitting that had to be removed. As you slowly tighten the fastener, the tape material will be pushed out, at which time you can remove it. You want to achieve a mate to the exterior with full seal around the penetration, so you tighten slowly to allow the 'ooze'.

ssobol · Posted: Thu May 22, 2025 2:15 pm Post subject:

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

okay. Now I know. Sounds like it is just what I need.

Depending on the temperature, you should allow about 24 hours after you think you're done to tighen again.[/quote]

Donald Tyson · Joined: 24 Jul 2023 Posts: 506 Photos: Thistle

I did more online research and realized I should not use 3M 5200 for Items that need to be fastened and removed regularly. The Tape is somewhere in btwn in its fast removability. 3M 4000 UV and 4200 fast cure seems to be the easiest to
remove.

The Job at hand is the mounting of a bimini that is, if it's like any other Bimini's
I've had, to be removed for cleaning or replacement every couple of yrs. If I use 5200 it will take an act of congress to remove the fixtures later...and as of recently we know how long it take congress to act. The tape would be doable but for almost thirty dollars I'd use less than 10" and it will sit on the shelf a couple yrs until I rebed everything else on the boat. I can buy the 4000UV in a 3oz tube which would be much more than needed for the Bimini Install. And the shelf life for the left-over is a year. So, for the bimini, I'll be using the 4000UV. In a year, two or three I will be using the tape for stations, cleats, and windlass fittings.

This posting, along with everyone's input, has evolved and has caused me to do due diligence to develop my preferences. I really appreciate everyone's contributions.

Don