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Sikaflex 295 vs 296 on Salon Windows

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by PSW, Apr 15, 2018.

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  1. PSW, Apr 15, 2018
    #1
    PSW

    PSW Member

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    Decided to recaulk the salon windows on the Sportfish. They were beginning to leach black during washdown on occasion and you could see the aging in the caulk after a decade. Trying to decided between 295 and 296. Any thoughts?
  2. Capt J, Apr 17, 2018
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Sam's Marine sells a primer/paint you can simply thin with acetone and paint right over the bleeding sikaflex and it works well. Just take the window and the gelcoat on the boat and mix a small batch and paint it on. Sikeflex bleeds black after a few years of baking in the Florida sun on just about any boat after a year or two.

    That being said, you use the 296 to adhere the windows to the boat (bottom of glass). You then want to use the 295 to fill the large gap between the side of the glass and the fiberglass. Also it works best if you use Sikaflex's primer. But there are better products to fill the gap between the side of the glass and the fiberglass, lifeseal might work better.
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2018
  3. PSW, Apr 17, 2018
    #3
    PSW

    PSW Member

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    Thanks CaptJ. I already removed the needed caulk around the rear windows in the cockpit and have them masked off so I will pick up some 295. The existing caulk was in need of removal with the shrinkage and cracking so if I can get a fresh bead around all the windows I should be good for 15 yrs no problem now that boat is stored inside.

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  4. T.K., Apr 19, 2018
    #4
    T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    Sikaflex 295 is intended to be used as an adhesive or sealant in bonding applications for polycarbonate windows and acrylic windows.
    Sikaflex 296 is designed for use with all types of mineral glass-based windows.
  5. PSW, Apr 21, 2018
    #5
    PSW

    PSW Member

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    After careful consideration I feel good about 295. 296 would be ideal and absolutely what i would have used had I been bedding the windows but I am simply pulling old caulk out of the seam and giving it a fresh edge. The fact that 296 only comes in the large sausage packaging tells me it is more a OEM boat builder product. I didn't want to buy a specialized caulk gun for this simple project. Some guys use 291 but I think 295 finishes with a smoother edge and will adhere better with existing 296 that Cabo installed windows with. I did the back windows a few days ago and both came out great. Pulled the existing caulk out of Port and Starboard salon windows after work this evening and will mask off and caulk when time allows.
  6. Capt J, Apr 21, 2018
    #6
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    That sounds good. I'm doing the same exact job on a 68' Searay and chose to go with Lifeseal. I've worked with lifeseal a lot and can get it through my normal wholesaler. The Sikaflex is a bit harder to find here.