Butyl Rubber Caulk

[Cane Pole]

Butyl is good caulk, but collects crap on it. I have removed most from my boat and am replacing it with a butyl rope. It is not as sticky as the gun caulk. Getting hard to find rope caulk. Most people look at me like I am crazy when I ask for rope caulk. I found some at a local mom and pop store, but it is a little dry. I warmed it up with my paint strip gun (at a distance). Looks like it is gonna work fine.

Anyone ever use the rope stuff on their boat?

[shadboy]

I buy it at the mobile home/camper supply stores

[doggone]

I am not sure but there may be more than one type of rope caulk. I know hardware stores have some that use to be mostly an easy way to glaze windows. I have done a lot of work installing roof flashings and curbs etc on metal roofs. Some companies would send rope caulk that was butyl that we just put under the flashing or roof curb lip and screw down with deck screws...it seem to be softer and maybe a little gooey compared to the other. I have not used it on a boat. If I caulk something on a boat always use silicon caulk and sort of rub it in to make sure it "tacks" good to the surface. One thing I found in years of doing plumbing service is it's important to make sure your caulk sticks or "tacks" to the surface good. It can appear to be okay but after a while it may turn loose. It needs a mechanical bond to the surface which can be obtained by of course cleaning,but also by sort of using a swirl motion with a stick or your finger. If the surface is clean and dry,that silicon will build a mechanical bond to the metal you cannot hardly peel off if you try when its dry. It also resist attracting dirt but does not hold paint well.

We do also caulk around some stuff on the roofs with butyl tube caulk and its good. But I like butyl best between two surfaces drawn together, for a top caulk I still like silicon.

Sorry for so much info not exactly what you asked... but that's sorta what I know.

[Cane Pole]

Informative. I an not a "qualified" caulk gun operator. I make a mess. I used a curved handle spoon to smooth out the rope. Looks fair considering my age and lack caulking ability.