: Check you local auto parts store, form-a-gasket by permatex comes in several
: different colors mostly blue and black with some clear,red,orange and
: possibly yellow.And the color usually depends on its use and heat range. I
: use the standard blue for Valve covers and water pumps on my motors. put
: on a bead,let it set up for a while,then it should seal fine.don't know
: about silicone and epoxy or varnish compatibility though. I would also put
: it on the hatch so when you have them off the boat the odd color wouldn't
: detract from the beauty of the boat.Also check the package fo
: compatibility they usually list what materials the specific sealant works
: with. There are a lot of choices certianly one would work.Try saran wrap
: for a release agent.make sure it sets up fully bfore removal.Sounds like
: the man didnt wait long enough.

hi tom

thanks for the permatex idea. most of the ones i just looked at are rtv silicone so the care w/ finishes and esp any bare wood would still apply.

on the coloration issue, i was reading between liz's lines and assuming that the hatch was mushed into the gasket bed withe the gasket material gushing up into and filling the gap all around the hatch/deck gap. you'd see the coloration then, but of course get a killer seal almost without straps. would of course depend on the side profile of the hatch - if rounded would almost be a reverse vcp analog but a lot of gasket would show and hard to make a nice consistent edge. but using a deeper hatch profile and say a cove edge, would give a more coontrolled visible line, a similar tight seal even when the straps or latching procedure is released .

on another side, when you make the gaskets for your motors, have you ever considered making a reusable cap that extrudes a rectangle rather than round shape? like most tubes have round nozzles, but for a gasket would an extruded shape say 3/8in (7mm) by 1/8"(2-3mm maybe slightly less) high make for a easier
and more consistent bead to lay down?(nah - prob to hard to control the height)

-mick