3M 5200 cure time??

KevinHall

Cadet
Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Messages
24
Hey guys, I applied 3M 5200 4 days ago to seal up a few bolts on an aluminum hull. The stuff is still wet and gooey. Did I get a bad tube or this the norm?
 

DeepBlue2010

Lieutenant
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
1,305
Try to spray a mist of water on it. Moisture will help curing. What temperature, humidity you got these days? Got pictures?
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
5200 can be the messiest stuff used on a boat.

Letting it cure naturally can be as much as 7 days depending on temps and humidity, As DeepBlue said, water misting can speed the cure.

3M does have a fast cure mixture that cures in 24 hours.
 

sam am I

Commander
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
2,169
Fooooooooorever!!! Seems like 7 days is just not to be runny/gooey. More like a month to become even trimmable IME
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
Yup it takes a LOOONG time but as everyone has stated It likes H[SUP]2[/SUP]0 so you really don't have to wait for it to cure. Use a razor blade and Acetone to clean it up and go Fishing!!!:joyous:


 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
11,497
If you are worried about putting the boat in the water you are fine with 5200. I used it once when i drilled thru the floor while out for the weekend. Stayed there for the 3 years i owned that boat . If you want to clean up, acetone.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,295
I have applied 5200 under the water line while in the water on a few occasions. great stuff, however is a moisture cure product. I prefer the fast cure because it doesnt ooze out as bad.
 

sublauxation

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
1,317
I've used it as a fast fix under the waterline while on the water as well. I'll get around to a more permanent fix some day but that was 5 or 6 years ago and it's still water tight.
 

fishin98

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 28, 2009
Messages
521
Look at your tube of 5200...sounds like you used the SLOW cure, which takes at least 7 days. I used it to seal the seams and screw holes on my boat. Wait a few days and you will be good to go.
 

KevinHall

Cadet
Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Messages
24
Thanks for all the replies guys. I ended up going with the faster cure. The 5200 just wasn't setting up the way it said it would on the directions. It said 48 hours for tackiness to be gone, and 7 days full cure. After 7 days it was still just a gooey mess.
 
Top