There are many sealants available on the market. However, the life seal and 4200 sealants are really popular among them.
Along with the popularity, there is a lot of confusion as well. Many people are hesitant to choose between them; be use they want the best product!
So, what is the better sealant between the life seal vs 4200?
Of the two sealants, Life Seal is the more inexpensive option. It also has more availability. Yet, it is less sticky than the 4200 and it takes more time to cure. On the other hand, the life seal has a greater adhesive quality and a faster cure time. Still, it is less available and costs more!
This is only the summed-up version of the entire article. To know more, read the article thoroughly until the end!
Get started now.
Life Seal Vs 4200: Brief Overview
Before heading into the main discussion, let’s get a small overview of these sealants. You can consider this as a look ahead or a summary of the features of these sealants.
I have mentioned the key differences between these sealants below; check them out! This differentiation will greatly aid you in making the best decision.
| Differentiating Features | Life Seal | 4200 |
| Compatibility Range | Decent | Decent |
| Curing Time | 24 to 36 hours | 24 hours |
| Availability | More | Less |
| Adhesive Strength | Less | More |
| Price | 16.16$ | 24.86$ |
You will need to know more information aside from this part. Now that you’ve had a glance at the brief overview, you’re ready for an in-depth comparison.
Life Seal Vs 4200: Elaborated Comparison
The more information you know about these sealants, the better! The number of details will definitely help you solidify your decision! Don’t worry; these pieces of information aren’t vague, they are pretty straightforward. So you can easily benefit from them.
I have elaborated below on the major key differences. Read it to make a better decision between these two sealants!
Compatibility Range
All sealants have some limitations. For example, between the 3m 5200 vs 4200, the 4200 works better underwater.
The life seal has a great range of compatibility. It is compatible with wood, fiberglass, glass, and plastic. This makes it a great sealant to work with!
As a bonus feature, the life seal also works underwater. It is far below and above-water applications. So, for example, if water is leaking into your boat, you can use the life seal to solve this issue.
Note that the water leaking issue greatly depends on your boat and the boat plug orientation. So always check if you have your boat plugged outside or inside the boat.
By using these boat plugs, you can successfully stop the leakage issues on your boat.
On the contrary, the 4200 sealant also has a decent compatibility range. It can work the same as a life seal with fiberglass, wood, plastic, and various types of glass.
Don’t worry about water-related issues with the 4200 sealants either. It is also certified to work underwater.
Winner: In the compatibility range section, it is a draw. Both these sealants have great compatibility ranges.
Curing Time
It takes time to cure after applying a sealant. Curing time is different for different sealants. The faster it cures, the better!
For the 4200 sealants, the curing time is only 24 hours. On top of that, it has a “fast cure” feature. This way, the 4200 sealant cures to tack in only 1-2 hours. You can use the 4200 sealants without worrying because they will cure in just 1 day.
The life seal cure time is 24 to 36 hours. Although this curing time is decent, it is less than the 4200 sealants. Also, the “fast cure” option is missing.
So if you are sealing in a rush using the lift seal, you will need more time. You have to wait almost half a day for it to cure!
There are a few products in the “life series”. Among these products, Life Seal has the greatest curing time. For instance, when comparing the life caulk vs life seal.
Winner: In the curing time section, the 4200 sealant wins for having the least curing time!
Adhesive Strength
The feature that plays a major role in a sealant is its adhesive strength. Every sealant has different adhesive strengths.
The adhesive strength of the life seal is mediocre. Although it is more than other sealants, it is less than the 4200 sealants. So, in many cases, the life seal fails to perform the adhesion aspects of a sealant.
If you don’t like the adhesive strength of it, you can always remove the silicone sealant anytime!
On the other hand, the 4200 provides decent adhesive quality. People seem to rely more on 4200 sealants just because of how well it sticks.
Winner: The 4200 sealant is the winner here because it sticks better than the life seal.
Availability
Sealants aren’t something you have to search a lot for. Hardware stores and other fishing shops have sealants in stock most of the time.
Fortunately, the life seal is a renowned sealant, and it is available throughout the whole country. Chances are, the closest marine shop near you has the life seal sealant.
For this reason, people have been using the life seal sealant for various purposes. For example, you can even get help from this sealant while cleaning a lead melting pot.
On the other hand, the 4200 sealant is available; but not as much as the life seal. Only selected stores and shops keep the 3M 4200 sealant in stock.
So if you are looking for a widespread sealant, 4200 is not the best choice.
Winner: Life seal is the clear winner here because it is more available than the 4200.
Price
The cost of a product is a determining factor. Accordingly, this information holds true for these sealants as well.
The 4200 sealant’s price is $24.86. While it is low for a sealant, it is higher when compared to the life seal.
On the contrary, the life seal only costs $16.16. It is spectacular pricing and it changes for greater amounts; while maintaining its ratio.
Winner: The winner of this category is the life seal, for being the cheaper choice.
Life Seal Vs 4200: Final Verdict
The priorities of your sealant can easily dictate which choice is better for you. Yet, we have summed them up to help you even further.
If you’re looking for a sealant with good adhesive strength, 4200 is the better option for you. It cures faster than the life seal, too.
It is compatible with most materials. Still, it is the more expensive option between the two sealants. Additionally, it is less available throughout the store.
On the contrary, the life seal has a decent compatibility range and it comes cheaper as well! You’re likely to find this sealant in stores more frequently than the 4200 sealants.
However, it possesses a weaker adhesive strength compared to the 4200. Also, it takes more time to cure.
FAQs
How do I remove a 3M 4200 sealant?
Removing a 3M 4200 sealant involves a few steps. To start, get the 101, 5200, or 4200 warm. After that, cut out small scraper pieces of Lexan. Also, on one side of it, put a tapered sharp edge. By using this, you can easily get the sealant off. Also, this method is really easy so do not worry about complex steps.
How do you get 5200 off your hands?
You can get 2500 off by applying a bit of acetone. Alternatively, you can use some denatured alcohol. Before applying these, you have to wash your hands with some hand soap. In any hardware shop, you can find acetone and mineral spirits. You can also apply some nail polish, which is technically acetone.
How do you remove silicone residue?
You can use a scrub pad and some liquid to get the silicone residue off. Liquids like mineral spirits and acetone really work wonders in these situations. Apply any of these liquids to a scrub pad. After that, scrub with a lot of force. These solvents basically melt the silicone and help it get off.
The Final Words
That is all from us. Hopefully, now you can clearly differentiate between the life seal vs 4200.
Be sure to apply a heavy coating of sealant when you’re working with it. Also, always try to give it a few days to dry completely for optimal results.
Have a great day!
I’m Cindy, a free-spirited outdoor enthusiast. Since childhood, Our family frequently goes on weekend camps and my father, who was a skilled hunter, used to teach my siblings and me valuable things about wildlife survival. I made this blog to share my knowledge, experiences, and tips.
