In the past, I’ve used Dolphinite for bedding various hardware to wood. Unfortunately, Dolphinite is no longer approved for use in Canada and therefore I’m unable to get it. Can anyone suggest a subsitute for Dolphinite?
We use Dolphinite and Moretite rope caulk for bedding hardware, fittings and instruments. Rope caulk never dries out, although it sometimes “bleeds” a little when it rains. We have used rope caulk for years and never had a failure. Under the waterline we use polysulfite bedding compounds.
Moretite rope caulk is available at hardware stores for about $6 USD. Frost King makes a similar product but it is not as good as the Moretite product.
What we like about these types of products is they are reversible without causing damage to the area under them. After I finish coating the dorade boxes with “n” number of coats of varnish, I plan to bed them to the deck with a single strand of rope caulk.
Rod
Canadian BCC IDUNA
Thanks for that information, Rod.
What do mean when you say the rope caulk “bleeds” when it rains? Does it lease a stain or?
I used rope caulk to bed our bulkhead compass. Sometime after it was installed, we noticed one or two gray streaks below the compass. These easily cleanup by lightly rubbing the area with 3M’s cleaner wax. We have not seen the streaks again. The color of the rope caulk we use is gray. I suspect these streaks were caused by the coloring agent in the product. The rope caulk may creep after initial installation of a fitting or instrument. We have seen this with Dolphinite.
As with Dolphinite, when using rope caulk on wood, the wood should should be sealed. If the wood is not sealed, the wood will pull the oils out of these compounds and they will dry out.
Rod
I’ve also continued to use Dolfinite but have just rebedded some parts with Interlux Bedding compound. This can be “thinned” with boiled linseed oil to a brushable consistency easing the application to larger or awkward surface areas. A caveat is I haven’t yet removed any thing bedded with this! Alternatively, pick up some dolfinite while cruising the San Juans.
Tom
“Terrier”
What’s the problem with Dolphinite that has prompted the Canadian authorities to ban it?
I note that the Canadian authorities have led the world in banning polycarbonate bottles for infants, for fear of bisphenol A disruption.
So what’s the deal with Dolphinite? (late edit: I searched the Net and found suggestions that the Canadian authorities may have banned Dolphinite because it contains two anti-fungal, ie anti-rot, chemicals. Anyone know more?)
Bil
I am told that Dolphinite is banned for use in Canada simply because it has not been approved for use by the Department of Agriculture. Apparently, the approval process is too costly given the relatively small size of the Canadian market. I am not sure why the Department of Agriculture has to approve a marine bedding compound.
I am also told that in recent years many products that were previously available for use in Canada are no longer available for the same reason.
As a sidenote, I recently bought new inflatable life jackets. At the time of purchase, I was told that they would never be approved for use in Canada because of the high cost of obtaining approval.
Something is wrong here.