: I'm getting close to mounting hatch rims (one Valley oval, one Kajaksport
: round) on fiberglass/epoxy lips I've fabricated for my Isfjord. I'll also
: be installing new hatch rims on my NDK Explorer, as both hatch rims have
: cracked through next to the mounting rivets (Kajaksport tells me this
: happens when the factory either improperly countersinks or overtightens
: the rivets). In any event, I've been wondering what sort of
: adhesive/caulking to use.

: I've looked at some of the Sikaflex and Lifecaulk products available in the
: local marina, but they all caution not to be used on plastic surfaces, and
: the rims are ABS plastic.

: I emailed Kajaksport (and got a response within 24 hours....still waiting to
: hear from NDK after two weeks). They suggested I prime the plastic surface
: with Sika Primer (215 or 290DC), then use Sikaflex-221 caulk to bond the
: rim to the deck. But the primer alone is around $60 for a small quantity
: and that seems steep.

: Does anyone know of another product compatible with ABS plastic? A friend
: suggested priming the mating surface of the ABS rim with epoxy to protect
: it, then using Lifecaulk. Another suggested 3M 5200, but I've heard that
: makes subsequent removal for repair near impossible.

: Any suggestions?
After 15 years as a sailboat rigger I found if it kept things dry it was very hard to remove later. The way to remove is with good putty knives driven into the caulk with a hammer. Buy good caulk, I did not use silicones, polysulfides were the best, I use polyurethanes in construction now.
Don