Beginner question! Sealant!

[GatoGaterDom]

Ok this is making sense now.

Tomorrow morning I will hit the auto parts store for epoxy and RTV. I did some research on RTV gaskets using sources geared towards car mechanics and that helped develop my understanding of how to properly make a seal.

That being said, why would one apply vaseline to the top of the RTV?

From what I understand, I am to cut a portion of the deck out, create a "lip" that sticks out into that gap, apply the RTV onto that lip so as to create a hatch gasket when I push the cut out portion of deck back onto that lip. Where does the vaseline come into play? And does the RTV need to be reapplied every time I open that access panel?

Dom

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Is there a recommended epoxy, or recommended method of application? Never epoxied anything before. For the stuffing boxes, I tried marine silicone with leaking during testing.

Regarding RTV Silicone, is there a recommended one? What is the difference between that and marine silicone, and how to best apply?

How does one seal that cut out access panel? Especially if it’s meant to be opened and closed.

Lots of questions I know. Appreciate all the help I can get to learn my way into this.

Any 12–24 hour cure epoxy. Thicken with talc so it does not run.

Any 'gasket making' RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicon 'adhesive'. Fingers.

1/4" tall hatch combings, or if flush-mounted a gasket made of RTV -- lay down a bead on the deck flange, coat the lid with Vaseline, then compress onto the opening and wait for the RTV to cure. Instant in-place hatch gasket.

[GatoGaterDom]

Is there a recommended epoxy, or recommended method of application? Never epoxied anything before. For the stuffing boxes, I tried marine silicone with leaking during testing.

Regarding RTV Silicone, is there a recommended one? What is the difference between that and marine silicone, and how to best apply?

How does one seal that cut out access panel? Especially if it’s meant to be opened and closed.

Lots of questions I know. Appreciate all the help I can get to learn my way into this.

[redboat219]

Stuffing tubes are usually epoxied in place. You can attach the deck to the hull using rtv silicone but most glue it place then cut access holes on top of the deck under the superstructures.

[GatoGaterDom]

Forgive me, I messed up my terminology. The shafts are in working stuffing tubes, the problem is preventing water from entering from where the stuffing tube passes through the hull, along with the connection between the top of the hull and the deck.

[redboat219]

As David said, You need a stern or stuffing tube.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Sleeve the propeller shaft(s) in a 'stern tube' that is glued to the hull. The fit between propeller shaft and stern tube is a close, non-interference fit. Lubricate with thick grease.

I like your approach: one-step-at-a-time. Slither, crawl, walk, jog, run, and finally sprint.

David

[GatoGaterDom]

Hi rc-sub.com!!

QUESTION: How to best seal the deck, and prop shafts?

BACKSTORY:
Want to get into RC Subs, specifically plastic model conversions. Created a progression:

1. Fix an old broken RC ship that was taken completely apart.

2. Convert a cheap plastic model ship kit to RC.

3. Convert a cheap plastic model sub kit to dynamic dive.

4 Convert a cheap plastic submarine kit to static diver.

5. FINAL: Convert a old Revell 1/72 Gato kit to static diver RC.

In light of that, a challenge on step one I am having is sealing the shafts to the hull (preventing water entry between hull and the metal shafts), and water that enters between the deck and the plastic sides. The ship is a 30” destroyer with a deck that I pulled off to work on the inside (very similar to a plastic model kit).

Any help is appreciated! Newbie here.