Marine Sealants

Which Marine Sealant should you use?

There are 3 common marine sealants used today, do you know which type is most suited, or do you just grab the first tube of silicon that you can find? Read below to find out more.

Silicone 

Everyone knows what silicone sealant is, you have probably even got a few tubes collecting dust in the back of the shed! So why is it so common, yet often silicone is not the best choice of sealant? 

Silicone sealant does not age very well, you often see beads hanging loose around fittings, and worse still it leaves behind an invisible residue which stops other sealants being applied, including fresh silicone! Silicone does have its uses however when sealing plastic fittings.

Polysulfide

Good chemical resistance and suitable for use below the waterline. Not suitable for use with most plastics.

Polyurethane

Like Polysulfide, this sealant can be used below the waterline and due to its greater elongation is better when a seal is subject to movement. However Polyurethane is not as resistant to chemicals. Not suitable for use with most plastics.