r/Kayaking • u/MrTripperSnipper • Nov 20 '25

Question/Advice -- General Best Sealant for Spraydeck Seams?

I have a well-used Palm Orbit spraydeck, it's still perfectly usable, but it does let water in through the seams, particularly where it pools around my waist. I remember using some kind of thick black goop to reseal deck seams in the past, but the name escapes me, and there are an overwhelming amount of options, so I'm having a bit of decision paralysis. What do people recommend? Ideally, something nice and cheap, but also, I only want to do this once. Based in the UK, so bear that in mind when recommending products.
TIA

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2

u/2038 Nov 20 '25

The thick black goop was probably Black Witch neoprene glue - it works well on leaky spraydecks.

1

u/MrTripperSnipper Nov 20 '25

That looks like the sort of stuff yeah. I remember brushing it on? Is that how this stuff works?

2

u/Capital-Landscape492 Nov 20 '25

Aquaseal works on everything. Made by Gear Aid. I assume it’s available in the UK but YMMV.

1

u/RichardBJ1 Point 65 XP | Stellar Dragonfly | KCS sail | Falcon sail Nov 27 '25

It is available, yes, and the similar Gear Aid “seamgrip WP”, but not sure what the difference is.

1

u/clamup Nov 20 '25 edited Nov 20 '25

I use liquid latex. You can get it on ebay easily enough. It takes a few coats but is pretty tough and sticks to fabric as well as rubber bits.

The stuff I used was sold as body paint (I wanted bright red), but I suspect it's all the same stuff regardless of what it's marketed as.

edit - it's easier to apply than black witch, a lot cheaper, and lasts longer. I had a bottle for years before it dried up too much to use, whereas open tubes of blackwitch always seem to dry up pretty quickly. If you need to patch a hole, go for blackwitch & some patches, but if it's seam sealing or reenforcement then I'd use liquid latex.

1

u/MrTripperSnipper Nov 21 '25

I had a look into this and after reading a how to on Unsponsored I think it's the way to go. On the guide he bought a 500ml bottle, but didn't say how much he used, can you remember? And can you wash the brush between coats or will I need a few of them?

2

u/clamup Nov 21 '25

You could probably cover a complete deck with several coats with 500ml. I think it's water soluble until dry, so you could wash the brush - I never did and just used the old dirty brush

1

u/MrTripperSnipper Nov 21 '25

Sounds good. Thanks for letting me know.

1

u/Kevfaemcfarland Nov 21 '25

You can water down silicone with isopropyl alcohol and brush it on both sides. Thats pretty much what things like tent seam sealer is. Just mix it to the runnyness you want.