Possible Project to smooth and coat jet pumps

[Bruce]

@Jim Robeson, what would you recommend as a long lasting, sandable product to use on the jet pump? I would like to reseal mine then sand the sealant flush. Thanks

 

[Jim Robeson]

@Bruce ... can you tell me what kind of metal you think you pump is made from. I'm guessing aluminum?? Can you also tell me a little bit more of what you're trying to seal. I'm thinking right now that this sounds like a job for a two part product.

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce ... can you tell me what kind of metal you think you pump is made from. I'm guessing aluminum?? Can you also tell me a little bit more of what you're trying to seal. I'm thinking right now that this sounds like a job for a two part product.

I believe the jet pumps in our boats are constructed from aluminum and fiberglass. I want to fill the seams where the aluminum and fiberglass comes together.

 

[Jim Robeson]

I believe the jet pumps in our boats are constructed from aluminum and fiberglass. I want to fill the seams where the aluminum and fiberglass comes together.

Any chance you could snap a picture of the area?? And does it need to be something for structural purposes or just filling in a gap?? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Bruce]

Any chance you could snap a picture of the area??

Sure, here is a picture from behind.

It is not structural, just the seal between the parts to reduce cavitation. I would like to experiment with smoothing the pump housing as much as possible then applying a layer of pump paint.



This photo is a "blueprinted" pump

 

[Jim Robeson]

@Bruce ... I will talk to some of our engineers and give you an idea on what to use. Most of our seam sealers/sealants are on the flexible side so that wouldn't work for sanding purposes. But we do have several two part products that get hard enough to sand/tap/drill etc... Do you care what color?? Some of our stuff I'm thinking about is black and gets very hard. We do have some gray material and even green.

 

[Bruce]

Do you care what color??

Color does not matter.

I am thinking that I would apply Belzona 1341 or something similar after polishing the pump. The big caveat is whether or not I can find and afford the product. http://www.belzona.com/en/products/1000/1341.aspx

 

[Mainah]

@Bruce - Why not just use gel coat for any small gaps that need filled? It is a sandable epoxy. Of course it will crack instead of flex but I don't know of a product that is both flexible and sandable beside plastic. If you must have flexible you could consider using ski base repair Ptex but I am not sure how well that would hold up.

 

[Jim Robeson]

@Bruce
Here are three options for you to consider with the third being something I think fits what you want to do.


http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/712066O/3m-marintatning-4000-bc-tds.pdf?fn=3M 4400BC.pdf&feeds=clifdmr


http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~?N=5002385+3293241534+3294857497&Nr=language:en_US&rt=rud


http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Scotch-Weld-Urethane-Adhesive-EC-3587-B-A?N=5002385+3292667613&rt=rud


We actually make the third option here at Springfield. I might be able to help you with that one.

 

[Bruce]

@Jim Robeson, thank you I appreciate all your advice and offer to help.

I see the application is metal bonding. Do you think it will adhere to the fiberglass as well?

Also do you know if 3M offers anything similar to the Belzona 1341? I am going to contact Belzona about applicability but expect to spend around $300 if I use that product.

 

[Bruce]

I just noticed these pictures in the Belzona marketing

Jet pump with cavitation wear



Belzona coated tube

 

[Bill D]

Watching.

 

[Bruce]

It looks like Polymeric may be the industry term for these coatings and ScotchKote may be 3Ms similar product line.

 

[Ronnie]

Bruce I had to Reseal a pump a few years ago. Started with rtv silicone which worked for a few weeks before failing. Tried 3m 5200 but didn't seal it properly so I had cavitation. Finally i replaced the 5200 with 4200 and as far as I know it is still in place and working fine. At least it was two or three years afterwards and the last time I spoke with the boat's new owner was about two years ago now. 5200 is too strong and took forever to remove. I used a razor blade to smooth out the adhesive transitions and a dremel to remove the old material.

 

[KXCam22]

Bruce,
When I filled mine I used 5200 and since it is not sandable, I smoothed it while wet with laquer thinner. This worked well. The thinner would probably work with any similar sealer/filler. There were a few spots that I could have used a die grinder but the filler did a good job there as well. Cam.

 

[Chip F.]

We use Belzona products a lot mostly 1311. Great stuff for fixing things around a power plant. Recently used it to repair a cut flange on the discharge of a boiler feed pump warm up line. Will have to keep this in mind when I do an inspection, I only have 30 hrs on the boat now. Doesn't look like it would take much.

 

[Bruce]

@Chip F., I am having difficulty finding Belzona 1341. Do you know if your supplier sells it? My thinking is that I might use 2/3rds of the $350 500 gram package on one coat of the pumps.

Perhaps @Jim Robeson will find that one of the 3M Scothkote products would be perfect for us.

 

[Chip F.]

@Chip F., I am having difficulty finding Belzona 1341. Do you know if your supplier sells it? My thinking is that I might use 2/3rds of the $350 500 gram package on one coat of the pumps.

Perhaps @Jim Robeson will find that one of the 3M Scothkote products would be perfect for us.

I will find out today for you.

 

[Chip F.]

@Chip F., I am having difficulty finding Belzona 1341. Do you know if your supplier sells it? My thinking is that I might use 2/3rds of the $350 500 gram package on one coat of the pumps.

Perhaps @Jim Robeson will find that one of the 3M Scothkote products would be perfect for us.

Repair Technology
856-687-2225
500 gram kit =$241.00

 

[Bruce]

Thanks @Chip F., I really appreciate it!