Butyl Tape & 3MM 4000UV

oscar1

I am in the process of reinstalling the Gps, vhf and Radar bracket back to the new hardtop, but I am diverting between Butyl Tape (its new to me)  or 3MM 4000 UV to seal the hardware for the brackets to prevent any water leak in the future, so  Any input between these two will be appreciated. Thx

LaRea

My hardtop has fittings that I sealed with butyl tape in 2013-2015.  None of them have ever leaked.  I love that stuff.  

Handymans342

Butyl tape is why my RV never leaks. LOL

Aqua_Aura

I think the benefits of Butyl tape it is supposed to not shrink or crack which is a good thing in case you were wondering 🙂.  

oscar1

I appreciate the quick responses. I will use butyl tape this time. Thx

Liberty44140

Are you guys buying the more expensive marine butyl tape, or is the Home Depot / rv stuff the same as marine?

Handymans342

Same

LaRea

As far as I know, butyl rubber is butyl rubber.  Just have to make sure it's not putty, which is very different.  

Liberty44140

Glorious thanks. Amazing the price difference. 

Handymans342

Liberty44140 said:

Glorious thanks. Amazing the price difference. 

Anytime you put a Marine label it doubles

Aqua_Aura

The flight school I instructed at would use Gates belts from NAPA as they were the same part number as the aviation belt for a fraction of the cost. I think they were just missing that very expensive FAA stamp of approval ☹️

oscar1

any brand in specify. thx 

Pat310

This is the one I used for re-bedding bow hatches last year. So far so good XFasten Butyl Seal Tape, White, 1/8-Inch x 3/4-Inch x 30-Foot, Leak Proof Putty Tape for RV Repair, Window, Boat Sealing, Glass and EDPM Rubber Roof P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07663NFZZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_fA2Y3YLmQwCfb

oscar1

Pat310. Thank you very much

LaRea

By the way if you need butyl tape that is black for cosmetic reasons, look for auto windshield installation kits.  I just bought some for a helm project. 

oscar1

thank you LaRea

Black_Diamond

@Aqua_Aura. Funny on the Gates belts: They refuse to sell for anything that flies. Period. I deal with them at their corporate level.  It can be far beyond the “FAA” label, insurance and liability come into play too.  Frankly that is using unauthorized parts on an aircraft plain and simple.  👎🏻  I deal extensively with the aerospace market on engineered components. The fight against unapproved parts is an industry struggle. Faked airworthiness tags, copies, etc. someone(s) would have been in extremely serious trouble if caught. Just my .02 rant. 

Aqua_Aura

Oh I agree they were wrong in using them but we are dealing with some serious back country thinkers here 😁

YYZRC

Where does one buy 1/4” butyl tape? I can’t find anything narrower than 3/4”!

Handymans342

YYZRC said:

Where does one buy 1/4” butyl tape? I can’t find anything narrower than 3/4”!

You can cut it

YYZRC

Cutting 30+ feet would be no fun. Hoping for an easy way! I found 1/4” round which would work but only in black. 

Black_Diamond

Cutting it is a disaster. lol  I can check what I have for width. 

Handymans342

Spray WD 40 on razor blade

mattie

Handymans342 said:

Spray WD 40 on razor blade

Oooooo, that's a good one.   

Can't beat this forum.

Black_Diamond

I would just use the 3/4” stuff. And hand work it to the close size you need or trim it afterwards. 

YYZRC

I found 1/2" and luckily it's marine rated so I paid 2x actual value
https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?product=66789437&code=BIBT

LaRea

1/4" round butyl tape, for auto glass:

https://www.amazon.com/CRL1401-Round-Autoglass-Butyl-Tape/dp/B002CXKI2S

TonyG13

Reviving this thread since one of my winter projects is to re-bed my radar base and add some antenna mounts to the arch.

@oscar1 - Did you do your project and what did you eventually use?

As for the butyl tape - @LaRea you mention "Just have to make sure it's not putty" -- but that's what @YYZRC and @Pat310 seemed to link to. The stuff is called - in one form or another - Butyl Sealing Tape, Plumbers Putty Tape, etc.

This is one I found that has 83% 5-star rating and supposedly marine rated: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQZ8KD8T

It says "Rubber Caulking Tape" but also says "Putty Tape" and looking at videos of "butyl tape" it seems to be just a rolled out version of plumbers putty - or am I missing something?

Or will any of the above work?

PickleRick

I have used the same brand butyl tape for a few projects.   I reinstalled my 6ft port side cabin window,  my radar mounting starboard and the aluminum frame windows on my home.   Used a similar brand when installed metal roof sheets on my home.   My 12x24 covered deck remained leak free in heavy summer thunderstorm winds/downpours. Leaks under the deck wood be easier to spot than the leaks over my original roof. 


My hand rail sanctions I installed with butyl tape some 3 years ago had to be re tighten this past year.  Wasn't leaking but was a little loose due to the compression of the tape. 

Pat310

Used it on the three bow hatches 3 years ago and no problems. 

LaRea

Butyl tape and plumbers putty are different animals. 

Typical plumbers putty is like a powder held together with oil.  It's made so that the mating surfaces can slide across each other (like when you tighten a sink drain fitting) leaving a layer that is thin but continuous. 

Butyl tape is butyl rubber.  It will slide a little, but not much.  Put it between two surfaces, then compress them together.  That's why butyl tape doesn't do well under a screw head.  When you tighten the screw, the tape can get balled up and leave a gap.  

Also, plumbers putty will harden and crack over time.  I've never seen butyl tape crack, even when exposed to sun for many years.