3M 5200 VS. West Systems Gflex

[Sanoman]

Been wondering for a while which one of these 2 products works the best for sealing and keeping water out of carbon and glass hulls. Which got me thinking "why don't l do a back to back test" to really find out what works better with hulls that flex a lot.

I used a piece of carbon that l cut out from a foothold from a previous build and two sections of 5/8" aluminum tubing. I sanded the aluminum and the carbon piece like l would do any other build. Applied the 5200 on both sides of the scrap carbon and a thin coat on the aluminum tube.Then mixed up some Gflex and repeated the process on the other tube.Now just a matter of time waiting on the 5200 to dry (5-7 days),where as the Gflex will be dry in 24 hours.

My personal favorite is Gflex.But l also like using 5200 in certain areas too on a build.Now just a matter of time to see which one comes out a winner.

I would like to hear your comments and opinions

 

[MADMAT]

5200 has a 24h formula also...Apples to Apples...I call 5200!!

 

[SmittySX]

Don, how are you going to "test" both?

 

[McDog]

I predict 5200 because it's a pain to work with and runs and that's just the way the world works for me. I just used some in a freak tray this week around the inserts.

 

[Yami-Rider]

5200 fast cure isn't runny and drys in 24hr vs 7 days.

 

[Sanoman]

Don, how are you going to "test" both?

Thought l would bend and flex the carbon till something gives Smitty.lt may not totally simulate real conditions but at least I'll know what will take the most flexing.

As far as slow cure vs. fast cure 5200,it's what l had on hand. I would have to order a tube of fast cure.I don't believe there is any difference between the two other than drying time.

 

[Baja 252]

Both good products, but very different to me.

5200 is very strong, but in a very flexible way. G Flex sets up much harder so it's stronger to me, but not as flexible.

 

[McDog]

5200 fast cure isn't runny and drys in 24hr vs 7 days.

Fast cure runs too.

 

[DAG]

Elongation
5200 874%
gflex 33%

Tensile Strength
5200 @ 1,000 PSI
gflex @ 3,440 PSI

As the bond "strength" needed to hold a small trim tube / water line in place on the bulkhead is way less than 1000psi I'd choose the product with the extra flex given only the data above.

Side note: Which would you pick
Product A that holds up to your experiment twice as good as the other or
Product B that doesn't hold up to the experiment as well as the other but withstands the the harsh abuse of micro flexing and vibrations and oil/gas and other elements over the time?

3M shared there testing conditions I could not find anything on gflex


best of luck with whatever you choose, they are both fine products

 

[Yami-Rider]

Fast cure runs too.

It's not near as runny.

 

[MADMAT]

Wow....dadgum!!! 874%!!

 

[nucleus_coolins]

Love this, i wana see your results after you bang on it. Im doing a similar test setup on my square build, 5200 on some thru hull fittngs and silica epoxy on others.

Im still a ways away from testing tho, so im very interested in your results!

 

[DAG]

Wow....dadgum!!! 874%!!

I thought it was a typo too

 

[2lick]

Side note, while there probably isn't much strength needed on water lines... I know first hand the exhaust tube takes some pulling and beating. When you nose in and weight shift froward is does pull/stress the tube in the hull. Mine was epoxied in and failed, which I learned epoxy isn't compatible with alum/carbon bond. Im no expert but thought Id share.

 

[DAG]

When you nose in and weight shift froward is does pull/stress the tube in the hull.

Could this possibly be from the heat that the exhaust see's? Maybe thats why yamaha had an exterior flange?

 

[Sanoman]

@DAG Thanks for the heads up! I'm leaning towards the 5200 at this point and the information you provided shows that too.

 

[McDog]

I predict 5200 because it's a pain to work with and runs and that's just the way the world works for me. I just used some in a freak tray this week around the inserts.

What did I say?

 

[Sanoman]

Whatever.........

Jk

 

[Roseand]

Definitely staying tuned. Currently debating whether to use gflex or 5200 to fix this!

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Quinc]

I repaired a broken engine mount with 5200 after reading about it hear and have flopped mulitple times in the surf and she is still holding strong.
*I have a spare mount but I want to see how long it will last with 5200.