Silicone Question

[DougP]

Is there a reason to spend 3 times the money to buy 100% silicone from West Marine over the $5.00 100% silicaone from Home Depot?

[Ron Hill]

Doug : Now you know what you pay for for the words "Marine Grade" - what ever that means beside more $$.   I'm sure it's the same stuff!!!   

[Rocco]

Doug,

I'm happy to be corrected, but I believe the difference is that the "home Depot" silicone sealants are typically acetic acid based (smell like vinegar) while marine grade silicone sealants are based on ammonia.  Not sure of the significance, but there is a chemical difference.

I do know that a tube of 5200 is $10.00 at Home Depot versus $18.00 plus at marine outlets and it is the same exact stuff, not that I can think of a way to use an entire tube of 5200 unless I was building the boat :-)

Regards,
Rocco

[Ron Hill]

Doug : I see that Roc was answering silicone caulk, while I was answering silicone spray!!   

[Rocco]

I assumed caulk (my bad), as Ron said, I don't see what the difference in spray could be other than the "marine discount".