Sealing transom screw holes for future permanent repair

[Bahala]

How would you seal old screw holes in a fiberglass transom and allow for future permanent repair? I'm thinking of using 3M 4000 or 4200 and reinserting the screws. That should supply a long lasting, watertight repair that can later be removed and the holes filled and gelcoat applied. Thougts?

[Jeff Hahn]

4200 on the screws and reinstall them.

[Dennyg]

4200 on the screws and reinstall them.

This

[DrewFlu33]

4200 on the screws and reinstall them.

x3

[Hez]

4200 on the screws and reinstall them.

I disagree with this. I used to think this was a good option until I decided to remove a handful of screws that the previous owner had "reinstalled with 4200". When I removed each screw...water poured out. I decided then that I was going to try and do a better job.

I ended up using marine-tex and injected some in each screw hole, and then covered the whole area ( about 4" x 3") with a layer of marine tex. It definitely did the trick, but being that marine-tex is epoxy based, it was hard to get the gel coat to cure to it....incredibly difficult

If I had to do it over again, I would mix some fiberglass resin, treat it the same way and then apply the gel coat over it.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not an professional or expert, so my terminology / application may not be professionally correct...but it's what worked for me.

However, if it is just temporary - go for it!!! Just don't rely on it being a permanent fix.

[illinifish]

Dam, I never seen so many screw holes in a transome before. I think you did a nice job patching. I have used marine Tex for the same repair only a couple of screw holes. I found some auto touch up paint that matches my boat paint that I used on the repair.

[Bahala]

Thanks guys! That is a tone of holes Hez! You did an awesome job.

[cubswin]

Depending on color of boat I'd use marine tex. My boat is maroon, so I'd probably fill the holes with marine tex about 1/32" from end of hole and then apply a gel coat patch to color match.

[Jeff Hahn]

I disagree with this. I used to think this was a good option until I decided to remove a handful of screws that the previous owner had "reinstalled with 4200". When I removed each screw...water poured out. I decided then that I was going to try and do a better job.

I ended up using marine-tex and injected some in each screw hole, and then covered the whole area ( about 4" x 3") with a layer of marine tex. It definitely did the trick, but being that marine-tex is epoxy based, it was hard to get the gel coat to cure to it....incredibly difficult

If I had to do it over again, I would mix some fiberglass resin, treat it the same way and then apply the gel coat over it.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not an professional or expert, so my terminology / application may not be professionally correct...but it's what worked for me.

However, if it is just temporary - go for it!!! Just don't rely on it being a permanent fix.

Are you sure that 3M 4200 was used and not just some clear bathroom silicone that wasn't made for a marine environment?

[jtracc]

I had some screw holes below water line from temp sensor I removed off transom on my ranger. One hole had water coming out, so I dried it out, drilled hole out one size larger then used a marine epoxy to fill the holes in. Once cured, I flared each hole out then gelled over them with black gelcoat. Sand, buff, wax can't even tell there was a hole and it's a permanent repair.

[Hez]

Are you sure that 3M 4200 was used and not just some clear bathroom silicone that wasn't made for a marine environment?

No, I can't be 100% sure, as I wasn't there when it was installed...but it wasn't clear; it was white. When all of the screws were installed...it looked like someone did a decent job of reinstalling them with silicone. There was even some sealant protruding out from behind each screw head...I almost never even messed with it...but thought what the heck, let's take one out. Was glad I did.

[Hez]

Dam, I never seen so many screw holes in a transome before. I think you did a nice job patching. I have used marine Tex for the same repair only a couple of screw holes. I found some auto touch up paint that matches my boat paint that I used on the repair.

I know, right?! It was unbelievable to me....and with all of the screws in...it appeared to be sealed well...but once I started taking screws out - that silicone quit doing it's job.

Thanks guys! That is a tone of holes Hez! You did an awesome job.

Thanks...it's not perfect...but a lot better than it was...