Teak Decking Systems Caulk Rained on After 5 Hours

[Danibug]

Yesterday we prepped and caulked the hatch on our Westsail 32 with Teak Decking Systems 440 black caulk. I followed all the directions: Seams were very dry, sanded, acetoned and taped prior to caulking.

After we applied the caulk and pulled up the tape we realized a storm was approaching much quicker than expected. It wasn't forecast until tonight. We rigged up a tarp and the rain came 5 hours after we laid the last caulk seam. The temps were about 70 degrees for those 5 hours.

I went back today and check and found the teak and seams had gotten a little wet, not soaked but definitely wet.

Is this going to effect the caulk adhesion in the seams? I have looked EVERYWHERE online but only find the recommendation that the seams be dry before caulk, the caulk is tack free in 20-40 minutes and it takes 48 hours until it's cured enough to sand.

The caulk has some sort of silicone like properties, but not exactly.

I'm hoping someone on here can give me the good news of a similar situation where rain after caulking did not mess up the seam watertightness.

Thanks!!

[Cheechako]

Hmmm.... best thing you can do is look at it close and see if it's adhered. The usual process would be to leave the caulking proud and sand it flush after it hardens, if you are doing that then you should be able to see if it's pulled away fom the teak. The good news is it's a hatch not a deck. It'll probably last another 20 years even if it has a minor leak somewhere. I seriously doubt if recaulked decks are 100% water tight... it's a big job, and one unclean or dusty edge and the caulk is not firmly attached. May be stuck together deeper though anyway. Dont worry, be happy!

[Kenomac]

Call the manufacturer, customer service responded quickly last time I gave them a call.

[goboatingnow]

That caulk is a silane polymer, often called modified silicone. It has properties of both silicone and polyurethane.

Like polyurethane most silanes cure in humidity, so the presence of water is not generally problematic and usually doesnt affect adhesion.


Dave

[Lojanica]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

That caulk is a silane polymer, often called modified silicone. It has properties of both silicone and polyurethane.

Like polyurethane most silanes cure in humidity, so the presence of water is not generally problematic and usually doesnt affect adhesion.


Dave

Now that's the kind of answer I like. Succinct and informative. Bam, like that, uh huh!!!

[Danibug]

Thank you all so much! We inspected the hatch yesterday and the side of seams appeared good. I also called TDS today and they seem to think the caulk adhered fine to the sides of wood since it had about 5 hours before the rain.

He said as long as the caulk has "skinned over" it will have adhered well. Whew! I was worried.

I even had nightmares that evening about the caulk coming loose during the storm and thunder that dropped almost 2 inches right on top of our boat with the freshly caulked hatch. Of course it HAD to rain right then. All 25 hours of work down the cockpit drain.

But no, it's ok! So Yay!

[CAELESTIS]

TDS skins in about 30 minutes. I put enough of their product on in Seattle to know not to worry about rain. Just don't walk on it until fully cured.

[Danibug]

Originally Posted by CAELESTIS

TDS skins in about 30 minutes. I put enough of their product on in Seattle to know not to worry about rain. Just don't walk on it until fully cured.

Really glad to hear from someone with a lot of experience with it. Thanks

[goboatingnow]

its worth pointing put that black silane is available readily in hardware stores nowadays, be careful buying "teak deck caulk" all you could be getting is a fancy label

dave

[Danibug]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

its worth pointing put that black silane is available readily in hardware stores nowadays, be careful buying "teak deck caulk" all you could be getting is a fancy label

dave

I'd have to check into it although the caulk was pretty cheap at only $11 a cartridge. I don't mind giving TDS my business for a good value and quality product. I am surprised however that everyone who has natural teak doesn't use it.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Danibug

I'd have to check into although the caulk was pretty cheap at only $11 a cartridge. I don't mind giving TDS my business for a good value and quality product. I am surprised however that everyone who has natural teak doesn't use it.

I agree, but just to point out silanes are becoming available, not to be confused standard silicones or acrylics

dave

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

That caulk is a silane polymer, often called modified silicone. It has properties of both silicone and polyurethane.

Like polyurethane most silanes cure in humidity, so the presence of water is not generally problematic and usually doesnt affect adhesion.

Dave

Humidity and rain are great for recently caulked decks.

[zeehag]

humidity and rain are still fresh water and will crack teak as it is not what teak wants--salt the decks if you have a lot of fresh water coming onto them.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Humidity and rain are great for recently caulked decks.

with a lot of water, its not the the silane polymer thats the issue, the wood is the issue.

Dave