Rebedding exterior hand rail

[Forkliftt]

I want to repair a few small rain water leaks by sealing the mounting pads on some of my SS hand rails. Butyl tape is my intended approach. Re-Bedding Deck Hardware Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com
Today I removed the 6 mounting screws which looked to have old Dolfinite around them. Tugged and tugged, but could not pull the hand rail off. Any ideas here that don't involve gouging the surrounding FG??

 

[C lectric]

Heat gun gently on the SS base should help soften the stuff. Use a low heat and play it on the base to warm slowly. Use the smallest nozzle on the gun that you can to avoid warming the fiberglass.

As soon as you can get a sharp knife blade under an edge then you can likely cut it .
I like the Olfa knives for that as they are SHARP and thin.

As an edge comes up use some wedges of wood or plastic to hold the gap open.

 

[Bob Cofer]

Would the old use fishing line trick work? I have removed a lot of glued on automotive trim and glued in glass that way.

 

[healhustler]

Plus two on both the above. I've used fishing line and guitar string with heat. I worked to get an edge with a razor scraper, then a thin putty knife, etc.. Use heat though.

 

[Forkliftt]

All great ideas. Thanks all.

 

[Xsbank]

Betcha somebody bedded it with 5200. You're going to have to blast... Or just fill the holes with your butyl tape and put the screws back.

 

[Pack Mule]

I just removed my wood cap rail and wood stringers . One area about 18" long the stringer was bedded with 5200 .It took some glass off with it. That 5200 is some mean stuff.I think I'm going back with 4200 .

 

[psneeld]

5200 can be removed with heat or one of several removers...need to get it's surface contact with the metal to a bit over 300 degrees without getting the surrounding fiberglass that hot.

Debond 2000 Aerosol 4Oz Marine Formula Remover

 

[jleonard]

Yes a heat gun or hair dryer on the mounting for about 3 minutes and the 5200 should break down.
If you can get behind with a very thin and sharpened putty knife you can remove it without heat.
Put some cardboard or thin plastic like a bondo spreader against the glass and you won't cobble it up.

 

[Nomad Willy]

If it's just bedding I prefer Dolfinite. I've taken apart things bedded in Dolfinite that had been there a very long time and the Dolfinite was soft and pliable still. I think Willard used it under the original bow cleat.

 

[SaltyDog]

I have found 5200 comes loose once the tension in the joint is released. The Fein Multimaster with a scraper blade works well. I use a sheet of plastic to shield the fiberglass/gelcoat.

Also have had good luck using a soldering iron to heat the fittings.

I also have had to learn to do fiberglass epoxy repair.

 

[FF]

If it's just bedding I prefer Dolfinite.

You bet , bedding has a life , and it needs to be refreshed at times.

5200 is GLUE , great for the hull deck joint , or other items that do not get serviced , ever.

 

[Larry M]

I just removed my wood cap rail and wood stringers . One area about 18" long the stringer was bedded with 5200 .It took some glass off with it. That 5200 is some mean stuff.I think I'm going back with 4200 .

5200 = Satin's Glue

Our window frames (9) were bedded with 5200 and glass came off when we removed them. We are now putting in new counters and backsplash in the galley and head. The PO used 5200 to glue the tile back splash in place. In the removal process, it took the Formica off of the interior wall in sections and yes, I tried the various removal techniques.
5200 =

 

[Forkliftt]

Next trip to the boat I'm gonna apply the suggested removal techniques and then cut the countersinks for screws per referenced article and bed with butyl tape that I recieved. (Thanks Al )

 

[Brooksie]

If it's just bedding I prefer Dolfinite. I've taken apart things bedded in Dolfinite that had been there a very long time and the Dolfinite was soft and pliable still. I think Willard used it under the original bow cleat.

Agree, same experience with items bedded on my Willard, good stuff for bedding, but bedding only. Good to have aboard and lasts after opened. Why is it so expensive? Is it because dolphins are a protected species?