Sealant for trim tabs

Liberty44140

I had to remove my transom led lights as two of the 4 were not working and while there I removed my trim tabs too. Epoxying and re bedding all holes, all new lights. I bought a tube of 4200 to re seal everything but the more I read the more I wonder if I should use 5200 for the tabs so that I get the adhesion and strength due to the pressure (still 4200 for lights). Thoughts on 5200 vs 4200 for the tabs? 

YYZRC

I don’t have the answer but curious what new lights you went with!

Liberty44140

I had the lumitec SeaBlaze 3 and they were awesome, but to go with something comparable as they are discontinued would be $300+ per light x 4 for new and we are really not underwater light people. They are cool, yes, but $1200 for new lights was just not worth it, we considered completely removing them and sealing the holes but since we have the wires and switch we decided to stick with lights. I went with the Lumitec seablaze Mini. They are $150 per light usually but I found two 2 packs on Amazon warehouse deals over the winter so I am at $90 per light. They will only be half as bright, maybe a little more, but that’s fine. Since we have 4 of them we get a lot of light.

YYZRC

My 330 came with the Seablaze 3 and only one worked but honestly it was so bright only one was required!! $90 is a steal for the mini. 

Liberty44140

Thanks! Now back to sealants Bennett recommends 5200 and I was thinking that’s best for good adhesion and support BUT you seal a plate to the transom then you install the tab over that plate so it doesn’t seem like there is any structural benefit to 5200 vs 4200. Thoughts?

Black_Diamond

4200 would be fine.  I just replaced my actuators and just used boatlife sealant.  Used this last time too and just fine.  5200 would be a PITA if they ever have to come off.

davidbrooks

General rule of thumb i have always heard everyone say is to use 5200 on any hole that would be near or under water.  4200 above the water line.

Cableguy Greg

I would use 4200 for the just in case something needs replaced. Actuators do go bad. 4000, 4200 and 5200 all can be used below the water line. 

Liberty44140

Thanks gang, yea everything from 3M says 4200 below the waterline is aok. I just got a large gun size tube of 4200 from Amazon this weekend to do the tabs and transom lights among other things and was about to buy some 5200 for just the tabs so that I have the added adhesion strength but yea now that I think about it there really is no added strength since you seal on the plate, then put the tab on that.... so will just use the 4200 I already have on everything. 

4th bullet:

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Marine-Adhesive-Sealant-Fast-Cure-4200FC/?N=5002385+3291170224&rt=rud