Question about Marine-Tex

[Skeeter Jeff]

Bought a small container of marine-tex white to fill some gouges and nicks along the strakes of the bottom of my boat. Followed directions and ended up with a material that was about the consistency of 5200 sealant. It was very sticky and hard to apply. After about 15 minutes, the material set-up in the mixing container and was too stiff to use. Outside air temp was 97+/- degrees so knew it would set up quicker but that was fast!. I was expecting a material that was a littler easier to work with - something that I can shape easy but wont stick to a putty knife, fingers, etc. Any suggestions or other products to try?

[AveryF]

I agree that it's a little sticky when mixed, especially when it's hot outside. I ended up with one he!! of a mess the first time I used it and I was less than impressed with the results. The last couple of times, though, I mixed it as directed and applied it with one of those artsy-craftsy popsickle stick looking things. Then I covered the repair with a piece of clear packing taoe before it was dry and smoothed it out under the tape with my fingers. Once it's cured, about all you have to do is remove the tape and just buff it out a little. FWIW, I'm not sure I'd want to use it for any major repair but it works really well for fixin' little nicks and gouges.

[Rollo331]

Cab -A-Sil
it is mixed with gelcoat and patch aid it is just fine fiberglass powder... you can buff it also...the only thing about a cab is it is not much on strength and will not stay in forever,but if mixed with the same gel on your boat you will not see it once buffed...You can put it on with a cab knife,a piece of cardboard or what really works nice is a old plastic credit card.........

[perfect-storm]

Mix it in very small batches. About 1/4 of the small container. It doesn't seem like much but it goes a long way. Then use a plastic putty type knife and keep it wiped off and wet. Apply some and smooth with the wet plastic putty knife wiping it off every stroke. Once applied, it will stay on forever and makes a totally water tight repair. Sometimes I let it halfway set up for a more putty like consistency if I'm working in an area that can sag. You gotta have everything layed out and ready to go prior to mixing so you don't waste any of your working time.

[Sarge]

I just got done applying marine-tex as a repair for my keel. It worked beutifully! I used a 14oz can, mixed half of it and covered one side of the keel area from the trailer all the way up to the water line at the boe. then mixed other half and did same to other side. I thought it went on real easy. It was 100+ here but I was in the shade. Will sand tommorrow and post pics.

[merklerob]

mix about 20% more than you need. after mixing spread the material on a wide enough peice of flat plastic so that its only about 1/8 thick. the pot life will now be extended about 200%+. left in a large clump the exothermic temp builds very fast and setup quickly.

used it on all small repair and would not consider and fiberglass filled resin for small repairs, they just wont hold. dont use body putty the talc will suck up water and fail.