What is the best sealant when I put in the snaps. Also, any suggestions for the pilot holes to stop any cracking, i.e., piece of tape or something like that? Will be drilling pilot holes for the screw in portion of the snaps, in metal and in Fiberglass, no coring.
Camper Top
- Thread starter Max_L
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- RO Number
- 27052
- Messages
- 263
In fiberglass I have always seem them drill the hole with a drill bit then champher it with the phillips bit on a drill. The champher is important to keep the screw from splitting the fiberglass. Go heavy with the champher if on a corner.
jtsmlarson
Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2002
- RO Number
- 9256
- Messages
- 411
You can also use Marine Tex. Put it in, let it setup for a few minutes and then screw the snap in while the epoxy is still curing. Wipe up what squeezes out. If you can, make sure there is something behind the fiberglass for the screw to bit into. It will strengthen the snap. You can't get to all of them, but it will help them last longer with fewer pull outs. You can epoxy a piece of wood or starboard material in behind the snap and it doesn't have to be very big to do that job.
The only time I would use Marine Tex for a snap application is if the screw holes were too big and you needed to re-drill another hole. Even in that case, I would try a screw stud with a 5/8" diameter screw instead of the normal 3/8" diameter.
Keep in mind that you want to seal the hole, but still be able to remove the stud, at a later date, if needed.
Bob
Keep in mind that you want to seal the hole, but still be able to remove the stud, at a later date, if needed.
Bob
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 958
- Messages
- 484
1/8" drill bit and bevel (countersink) the gelcoat with a phillips screw gun bit.
jtsmlarson
Member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2002
- RO Number
- 9256
- Messages
- 411
5/8 is bigger than the snap! I'd want to keep the hole as small as possible. With the ones that have pulled out I just pour some Marine-Tex (Or any other epoxy or your favorite animal glue) in the hole, wait a few minutes for it to setup and then screw the snap in. I like it because I don't have revolving bits near my precious fiberglass. Snaps are not something I EVER want to remove.
They sell screw studs with the standard screw. If one pulls out and needs to be replaced, they sell screw studs with a LARGER screw so that you don't have to fill and re-drill another hole. The SNAP is still the same size, but the SCREW is larger.
You can then keep a revolving bit away from your PRECIOUS FIBERGLASS.
You can then keep a revolving bit away from your PRECIOUS FIBERGLASS.
Addendum to my prior post regarding screw size.
The standard size screw for a stud is a 3/8" long by #8 while the oversize screw is a 5/8" long by a #10. I referred to 3/8 and 5/8" diameter screws. That is not the correct diameter.
Bob
The standard size screw for a stud is a 3/8" long by #8 while the oversize screw is a 5/8" long by a #10. I referred to 3/8 and 5/8" diameter screws. That is not the correct diameter.
Bob
If you can get to the area behind where the snap goes, use a male snap with a hole in the center and use a stainless machine screw with a washer and lock nut on the inside so the snap is now through bolted. I would still put some 3m 4000 or 4200 in the hole to seal it. Here is a web site for the snaps: http://canvasdealer.com/detail.aspx?ID=158
Obviously in areas where you can't access the inside of the boat, you will have to use the snaps with the self tapping type screws already attached to the snap.
Obviously in areas where you can't access the inside of the boat, you will have to use the snaps with the self tapping type screws already attached to the snap.