canvas snaps

T

totem

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2004
RO Number
13176
Messages
7
What product to use when the screws pull out of the boat.? 5200 and screw back in , or is there another suggestion? I have had 4 pull out as I was preparing the boat for splash down. It is fiberglass.
 
There are probably better suggestions out there but I've had good luck with Marinetex.

It comes with a catalyst that you mix and then put in the hole and it hardens up I forget how long it takes to harden but I left mine overnight.

You can then drill a small pilot hole and then re-screw in your snap.
 
I have used the 5200. You have to wait several days for it to cure completely. I would go with the Marinetex.
 
Marine Tex is the easiest, but softer than some epoxy's with filler. Ideally, fill the hole with Marine Tex or epoxy with high density filler, push around with a toothpick so it mushrooms inside, then redrill the hole, counter sink the outer part, and then put in with 5200 around the screw.
 
There are larger screw threads available that screw into fiberglass or wood. I know for sure that they are available in the male portion of button snaps but not 100% sure about male portion of lift the dot snaps. Another quick fix I've used is a well nut.
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Thanks fellow boaters!!! I have used marinetex and it was a while back, forgot about it. Thanks again, off to the marine store.
 
Not to sound anal, or crazy, but I am. Before you break out the marinetex, take a pair of pliers and lightly again lightly tug on each of the remaining snaps on the boat. If you are going to go thru the mess and work of fixing 4 snaps, you will not be happy next week when three more pull out.

Also, when you put them back in (after drilling etc...) use a new snap and put a dab of silicone or 4200 in the pilot hole before putting the screw in. Keep water out and holds the screw.
 
If these are screw in snaps, you can buy snaps with oversize screws.
 
If you have access to the area inside the hull where the screws are located, I have used machine screws with a lock washer and nut on the inside. You can also put some sealant like boatlife or 3m101 in the hole. I wouldn't use 5200 as its a strong adhesive and you will never get the screw out again. Never use silicon products on your hull. If you ever need to repair or patch that area, nothing will ever bond to it, ever. Even if you scrape and sand the silconed area, a residue will always remain and you nothing will bond. What are these well nuts? where do you get them? sounds like a good idea if the hole is inaccessible from the inside.
 
We just used marintex and it worked well. Be careful of rain though. good luck
 
bruceb, I agree that there are larger screws available but "ONLY" on the female part of button snaps; "NOT" on male portion of "Lift the dot" snaps. If you find them for male part of lift the dot snaps; please let me know where to get them.
Re well nuts.....They are readily available at your better hardware stores, i.e. Ace Hdwr. Plus on line. Google Well nuts.
 
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