Floatation Foam Sealant???

[Terry Olson]

I'm reflooring my 1983 Lund Mr. Pike fishing boat. I removed the original floor and find poured-in floatation foam beneath the floor and in several voids between the hull and the interior. The foam is dry and somewhat brittle, but intact and otherwise functional. In a few places the foam was trimmed to fit flush beneath the floor and in those locations the cellular structure of the foam is open. When I hosed 23 years worth of debris out some of these places are damp now. I believe that only the layer of cells that were compromised when the foam was cut flat are holding water. Right now it's sitting open with a fan blowing on it and it will be open for at least the next month so I'm sure it will dry out completely.<br /><br />Here's the question: Should I seal the foam in some manner? If so, what material is suitable for this? I suspect this is unnecessary, but I'm interested in other opinions.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Floatation Foam Sealant???

not a darn thing that i know of..<br /><br />EXCEPT grease... but it'll be a mess an would/mite hinder the floor glue down..

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Floatation Foam Sealant???

I would call Lund and see if they can tell you what kind of foam was used on the boat in that year. If it is a closed cell foam, then you are correct. Only the cells that were "opened" will take any water. <br /><br />Once they dry, I know you can seal them with epoxy. You probably can use a number of other products to seal them too, but I am only familiar with epoxy.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Floatation Foam Sealant???

Thanks for the responses. I checked the foam today and find that everything is bone-dry already. Just confirms that the foam is closed-cell as I would have expected. I'm sure it's been wet many times and I'm pleased to know that when it gets wet in the future it'll drain rather than hold the water. The best part is that the shaved parts of the foam are on top of their particular void so the entire cavity would have to fill with water (or some fool would have to hose it down again...) to get it wet. <br /><br />Confirms the belief that sealing the foam isn't necessary.<br /><br />Thanks for the responses.

 

[KilroyJC]

Re: Floatation Foam Sealant???

Hi - if it is really something that'll prevent you from sleeping well at night, and you don't mind a "little bit" of mess...<br /><br />take a can of the minimal expanding foam insulation from your local hardware store. Apply a bit over the area in question, wiat 5- minutes or so for it to expamd, then, wearing dispsable gloves, mash it down to pop all the bubbles and make a smooth skin over the top. It's not going to be perfect, but it will fill the voids & make a solid skin over the top. This will also prevent the foam from holding moisture that might affect the underside of whatever you put on top of it. <br /><br />After it hardens, carefully shave/sand off the bumps, but not so far that you are back into the foam again.<br /><br />Good Luck!<br /><br />Matt M