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[Mike0001]

back to drawing board

crash tender boat

not a new build but seems to be leaking along front of keel



pilot boat, been resined along bottom of boat...... and leaked, then silicone sealant round the prop entrance and the rudder still leaks, I think around both areas still ( prop and rudder )..... should I add more resin ? difficult to see where its coming in but takes a while for water to start filling boat

frustrating

[Shipmate60]

It is always better to seal the outside of the hull.
If you cannot see where the water is entering try another approach.
Remove all electrics and part fill the hull with water.
After a little while you should see where the water EXITS.
Mark the area and empty the hull.
Allow to dry out before repairing.
If not sure about the structure cover the whole of the inside with varnish then test.
This might cure the leak though!!!


Bob

[derekwarner]

Mike...Silicone  ...it has some brilliant properties

1. flexibility
2. amazing di-electric resistance as an insulator.......0.00000000000000m units of something
3. capable of withstanding high environmental temperatures...200 degrees C
4. sometimes has been proven to stick to itself
5. is totally waterproof in itself
6. an ideal product as used by NASA and in any humidity controlled clean sterile work room where all components being adhered with the material have equally cleaned sterile surfaces 

However personally I would not consider even buying a tube of that GOOP.....................

7. absolutely useless in any application where human hands are involved...and that includes all our model ship workshops.......with dust & grease & paint & ???? and even sweat from the brow  ......heaven forbid it drop on to a hull prior to the application of Silicone

8. problem now is how to remove the Silicone?....as fibreglass resin and hardner will not stick to it........they will just cure and leave a minute path for the water to migrate into the hull until the level of the water is sufficient to sink your treasured craft 

....you probably can guess I am not a fan of Silicone........Derek

[mudway]

 I am but not for sealing leaks in anything fibreglass, for that EasySand or any other resin based “bog” works better.
Marine Silicone is perfect for mounting electric motors as, once cured, it is quite tough but slightly flexible and absorbs vibration helping keep noise down. Easy to get out with a knife if you need to.
For smaller models, you can even mount servos.
Want a hatch to go down but be easily removed? Put it down over a thin smear of silicone. Waterproof when cured and easy to get the hatch or whatever off if /when you need to.

[Mike0001]

so cut out silicone and re resin the hull then ?

must admit silicone looks unsightly in the pilot

[Stavros]

Clean it all out wash it with some thinners and resin again
 
 
Dave

[CyberBOB]

Problem with silicone is it can leave a thin, microscopic film that you can't see.  Resin won't stick to this. 


When painting or fibreglassing1:1 fibreglass boats that have had silicone used on them, you mist the surface with water.  If the water beads, wipe some more with thinners.  This is usually done several times before it stops beading.  Can you mist the area on your model that had silicone to see if it is removed?


In Canada, we have a product called Silicone-B-Gone which helps, but again, you need to mist with water, just to be sure.


Patience and successive wipes, you will get it clean.

[mudway]

Also try roughing up the area with 40 or 60 grade sandpaper to loosen any remaining silicone.

[ovl]

Hi Mike,
I do all this kind of repairs with Stabilit Express , dries fast en its strong and waterpfoor. It glues on everything.
mahe the surface clean and go for it.


If you need more détail, let me know 


hope I could help

[CGAux26]

Thinking outside the box, make sure the water is not coming in via the stuffing tube.  If it is you will likely see where water and some grease get slung around in the hull perpendicular to the shaft.  And if the top of the rudder post is below the waterline water can enter over the top of it, too.