BoatLIFE Life-Calk Boat Caulk and Sealant

BoatLIFE Life-Calk is a long lasting, permanently flexible marine polysulfide sealant that can be sanded, painted and used above and below the waterline. Tack-free in 1 to 3 days, with a 7-10 day cure time (weather dependent). This marine caulk exhibits excellent resistance to teak oils, gasoline and diesel fuel. Use this sealant to install hull fittings, secure hardware, seal joints, and create watertight bonds.

BoatLIFE caulk is available in White, Black, Mahogany, or Teak Brown in various tube and cartridge sizes. Note: 1/12 Gal sizes fit a standard caulking gun.

Tech Specs

Joint Depth	1/8" Joint Width	1/4" JW	3/8" JW	1/2" JW	3/4" JW
1/4"	60 lineal ft/cartridge	29	18	15	10
3/8"	37	18	15	10	7
1/2"	29	15	10	7	5
3/4"	18	10	7	5	3.5

Info & Guides

JOINT EXPANSION It is recommended that dimensions be established for each joint in conformance with service conditions. Width of joint may be determined by calculating expansion and contraction of limits of the structure during temperature extremes and multiplying by a factor of 4. For example, if a joint will open and close 1/4" under temperature extremes, the joint should be designed 1/4" times 4, or 1" wide. No joint should be less than 1/4" wide.

INSTALLATION

PREPARATORY WORK The sealant bonding surfaces should be sound, clean and free of contamination such as release agents, water repellent treatment or other surface contaminants. Where adverse conditions are suspected, sanding is advisable.

METHOD OF APPLICATION Life-Calk can be applied directly from cartridges or bulk pails.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
1. Clean joints and wash with Life-Calk Solvent and Cleaner.
2. Apply bond breaker.
3. Apply BoatLIFE Life-Calk Primer.
4. Apply Life-Calk with a hand or air operated caulking gun, putty knife or trowel, pushing cartridge away from you.
5. Tool seam.
CAUTION: DO NOT OPEN CONTAINER UNTIL READY TO USE

NOTE: It is important that the sealant be tooled to assure complete wetting of the bonding surface in order to obtain maximum adhesion. Care should be taken not to disturb the seal until completely cured.

CURE: Since Life-Calk sealant is a moisture/temperature cure and requires the absorption of moisture from the surrounding atmosphere, an increase in the relative humidity or submersion in water will result in a shorter tack free time and faster cure.

CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT: Wash equipment and tools with BoatLIFE Life-Calk Solvent and Cleaner or Release before material cures. TESTING IS RECOMMENDED.

Life-Calk is also paintable and sandable after complete curing occurs. Since curing time varies with the environment test a small area of the caulking. If the paint does not dry in a reasonable amount of time, a latex primer can be used. Do a second test of a small area.

*Note: Curing time will vary based on temperature, relative humidity, and age of product.

Tips:

To speed cure time, spray a little water onto one-part LIFE-CALK. To clean up tools, equipment and uncured LIFE-CALK use LIFE-CALK SOLVENT AND CLEANER or RELEASE. Push the caulking gun, do not pull it. In cold areas, warm tubes and cartridges before use. Fill in small cracks with LIQUID LIFE-CALK. Use LIFE-CALK PRIMER if there is any question about whether or not wood is oily (except with LIFE-CALK 2-part type P). Remove cured sealants with RELEASE by spraying edge of sealant. Work bonded area between surface and sealant with a scraping tool and RELEASE until sealant is weakened.

Technical Information

Base Compound: Polysulfide
Colors: White, Black, Mahogany, Teak Brown
Consistency: Gun Grade
Nonvolatile content: 96-98%
Tack Free Time: 24 hrs @ 75 F, 50% Relative Humidity
Cure Time: 1/8" thickness 10 days @ 75 F, 50% Relative Humidity
Cure Time: 1/4" thickness 20 days @ 75 F, 50% Relative Humidity
Hardness, Shore Durometer 26

Data Sheets

BoatLIFE Life-Calk Seam Caulking Technical Data

VIEW

Marine sealant coverage chart

VIEW

Reviews

Rating Snapshot

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12 reviews with 5 stars.

1 review with 4 stars.

1 review with 3 stars.

4 reviews with 2 stars.

7 reviews with 1 star.

Overall Rating

3.3

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Filter Reviews

11 to 25 of 25 Reviews

11 – 25 of 25 Reviews

Norman, Ok.

1 out of 5 stars.

2nd day shipping is a JOKE.

7 years ago

Bought some caulk and chose 2nd day shipping. At the end of the transaction it said ""shipping to be determined"". It was $65 to ship 6 tubes of caulk 2nd day. NEVER AGAIN. Unsubscribing, will buy from other sources from now on.

Helpful?

Toms River, NJ

5 out of 5 stars.

Easily Removable Sealant

9 years ago

Fittings can be removed with ease, Jamestown did not include feed-tube with product!!!

Helpful?

FLETCHER, VT

5 out of 5 stars.

Great product

9 years ago

I used this on my Com-Pac 25 which has cherry wood on the cockpit cowlings under the winches. Water was getting under the wood through failed white caulking, so I scraped that out an put in BoatLife Caulk mahogany color. It was really easy to apply, not messy, easy to clean up, and a beautiful match for the cherry that had been protected with penetrating eppoxy and 6 coats of varnich. Very pleased!!

Helpful?

Columbia, SC

3 out of 5 stars.

Reluctant user

11 years ago

Disappointed by lifespan of product. Will be looking at non-marine products for above waterline. Not sure if Lifecaulk's formula changed over the years. I have decided to use Lifeseal for rebedding my chain plates since the lifecaulk crumbled out from there as well as at the toe rail/hull connection. I used Lifeseal for solar vents and the seal was perfect. My dissatisfaction with Lifecaulk has also been echoed by other members of the boating community. However, it still may be diesel fuel proof.

Helpful?

New Jersey

5 out of 5 stars.

Life caulk teak

11 years ago

Jamestown is the only vendor who carries Life Caulk in teak

Helpful?

Marina Del Rey, CA

1 out of 5 stars.

Bad Packaging

12 years ago

This is the second tube (toothpaste-sized, not caulking-gun sized) of BoatLife products that opened up on me at the bottom, squirting stuff all over the place. The cause was using the little nozzle that comes with the tube. It restricts the flow enough to allow pressure to push the bottom open. This results in a huge mess and very difficult to apply material. They need to seal the bottoms better. Colgate learned that decades ago.

Helpful?

Minneapolis, MN

4 out of 5 stars.

Mask off before applying

13 years ago

To neatly apply, mask both the surrounding surface and the sides of the fitting being bedded. In the video, you'd apply masking tape to the teak rail and cut out the outline of the cleat base. Then mask the vertical edge of the cleat base. When the caulk is mostly cured, remove the tape for a nice neat job. Be aware of silicone caulk when rebedding. Like every other caulk, BoatLife won't stick to silicone. If old silicone is present, it must be mechanically removed, or softened with a silicone digester and then removed. Even silicone won't stick to silicone.

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New Hampshire

1 out of 5 stars.

Not good

14 years ago

Purchased a tube of mahogany Boatlife calk for my 1955 Lyman windshield. The tube exploded as I tried to lightly use around the windshield, the calk went all over my finished wood and glass area, I will have to re-stain and varnish again as this product destroyed my finish work. At least the manufacturer could make the tube strong enough to use, what a dissapointment, thanks a lot guys.

Helpful?

Seattle, Wa

1 out of 5 stars.

Never Again

14 years ago

Purchased product because directions indicated the calk was paintable. Applied calk and after 8 days painted with 1 part polyurethane primer which would not dry. Called manufactor and after 3 tries, they finally confirmed the calk was not compatible with polyurethane paints. Would have saved me a lot of grief if they notated this on the label.

Helpful?

Southern Illinois

5 out of 5 stars.

Good Stuff

14 years ago

Works great for sealing a teak toerail. Thin enough to flow into small gaps and cracks. READ THE INSRUCTIONS. Use the primer for teak. I even applied boatlife caulk to a seam wet from a recent rain. It worked perfectly, and even cured faster.

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Forest, Ontario Canada

5 out of 5 stars.

Great Stuff So far..

15 years ago

This product was used to bond a plate to the transom for attaching transducers.. all 5 of them to a single plate. Great bond and seal..but very sticky and wear latex gloves as you will get it on everything. Much like applying silicon.. wet your finger before you flatten out the bead or your goint to have sticky fingers...

Helpful?

Tampa, fl.

1 out of 5 stars.

short shelf life

15 years ago

hard to get good results caulking teak decks. Product cracks and tubes have short shelf life before becoming lumpy and not usable. Better choices available.

Helpful?

Portland, OR

1 out of 5 stars.

follow all directions!

15 years ago

The life calk I installed in mahogany deck joints failed after being exposed to sun and 85 degree temperatures. Failure involved separation from the wood and cracking of the material itself. After talking with the company, they diagnosed the problem: 1) I failed to add a bond breaking material at the bottom of the seam. The material can fail if it is stretched in three dimensions. 2) I did not remove all the varnish on the edge of the seam, and I did not use their solvent to assure a clean surface. 3) I may have left air pockets under the material at the bottom of the seam. I am probably going to try this material one more time in part because I can't find another one that is stretchy AND can be painted or varnished.Since this is a horizontal surface, I may try the liquid version because it may fill and level better and it may stick to the wood better.wish me luck! [...]

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OHIO

2 out of 5 stars.

Last few inches of cartrage""LUMPY""

16 years ago

I haven't seen the sandability the directions seems to speak of.

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Minnesota

5 out of 5 stars.

Great for bedding deck hardware.

17 years ago

Very sticky. Gets on everything if you aren't careful but makes a waterproof seal that can be removed when needed. This is more in the nature of a sealant, not an adhesive like 5200.

Helpful?

11 – 25 of 25 Reviews

Previous Reviews

Questions

1 - 10 of 35 Questions

Q: I purchased a 1981 Tanzer that has a brand new rub rail but unfortunately leaks at the hull/ deck joint. Can I use lifecaulk to seal upper and lower seam of rub rail. Rail is underwater when tacking. Also leaks in the rain.

a year ago

3 Answers

A: 4200 would be a better

a year ago

Helpful?

Q: How would you compare boatlife as a bedding compound between epoxy/varnished wood & a jib fairlead plate screwed to it where Dolfinite was previously used? I only need less than approx. 2 tablespoons of the stuff to bed the 2 components & @ $85.Q Dolfinite seems rather excessive to say the least. Thank you.

2 years ago

1 Answer

A: Boatlife will work great. It it not overly adhesive. When you need to disassemble in the future it will come apart easily. I have been using Boatlife to bed components on my wood boats for decades. Loren

2 years ago

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Q: I'm adhering a jib fairlead cleat with (4) stainless screws through a varnished wood pad onto a varnished deck rail. It previously had about 2 tablespoons per side (port & starboard) of Dolfinite between wood layers, but I can't see spending $80. for approx. 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons needed only on 1 side. Underside wood block had a crack running through, so I removed pad above the wood & glass matted, epoxied & varnished it. Am now ready to rescrew pad piece back into place. Is there not a more REASONABLE bedding compound I can use for as little compound as I need? Thank you.

2 years ago

2 Answers

A: You can use Boatlife Life-Caulk for bedding in your application, that will work well.

2 years ago

Helpful?

Q: When using Life-calk for bedding, should the excess that is pressed from under the fitting be removed before it cures, or would it be best to allow it to cure and then trim the excess off? Thanks, John

9 years ago

5 Answers

A: Always mask it first! For teak use a solvent first, then thinned epoxy (use alcohol to thin) then bed. But mask it first! My father's teak deck, this is many many feet and two generations talking here. For fittings: place dry fitting first ...mask around it, clean wood, prime w/ thinned two part epoxy. For any wood use thinned epoxy as prime. Ed

Anonymous4 years ago

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Q: Hi. I need to seal the seams under the waterline in an Atlantic cedar hull sailboat. It will be primed and painted with oil base paint not epoxy. Is Boatlife caulk compatible with oil base paint? Thank you

4 years ago

1 Answer

A: Yes it is compatible with oil based paint.

4 years ago

Helpful?

Q: I'm curious what your experience has been with BoatLife chalk shelf life. According to their website it should be 36 months but I had two tubes with date code 4/2019 which I attempted to use this past weekend. Over half the tube had started to solidify and was unusable causing me to stop midway through the project and order another tune.

4 years ago

1 Answer

A: I've always had pretty good luck with Boatlife. Having said that, I would be reluctant to use any tube product that has been open for more than a year. I just checked an unopened tube of Boatlife dated 2016 and it was rock hard.

4 years ago

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Q: I need to caulk between hard white oak boards inside a large wooden waterwheel in an old grist mill.The boards are only seperated slightly, and have a wooden tounge between them. My question is how dry or not the oak boards need to be before applying the boatlife life caulk.

4 years ago

3 Answers

A: Glenn, The boards need to be quite dry before applying Boatlife caulk. Otherwise the caulk won't stick to the wood. Bob

4 years ago

Helpful?

Q: Can this be used with stainless steel? Wiki says, ""Polysulfides, as sulfides, can induce stress corrosion cracking in carbon steel and stainless steel.""

4 years ago

1 Answer

A: Life-Caulk is commonly used as a bedding material for stainless steel and other metal fittings. I have never experienced any adverse effects from using it.

4 years ago

Helpful?

Q: How soon after resealing a thur hull fitting can I put the boat back into the water?

7 years ago

1 Answer

A: Tack-free in 1 to 3 days, curing in 7-10 days (weather dependent).

7 years ago

Helpful?

Q: Hello - I am trying to reseal the coffin lid on my '88 Mako 231 and trying to determine the best product between life-caulk or life-seal. I've removed as much of the old caulk as I can and plan to scrub the seam as best as possible with Boatlife Solvent and Cleaner. When I re-caulk should I push some caulking cotton to the bottom of the seam first? Then again, which product do you feel would be best, Life-caulk or Life-Seal? Thanks in advance! Bob S.

9 years ago

3 Answers

A: 3M 4200 would be a good alternative. Do not, under any circumstances, use 3M 5200 or anything similar to 5200. That's a much more permanent adhesive - you would destroy fiberglass getting the lid open again.

9 years ago

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1 - 10 of 35 Questions

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