3M 06504 Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 Black 10 oz Cartridge | Permanent Polyurethane | Flexible, Weathering & Saltwater Resistant | Structural Bonds Above & Below Waterline | Tack Free 48 Hr

3M 06504 Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 Black 10 oz Cartridge — Permanent One-Component Moisture-Curing Polyurethane | Flexible, Weathering & Saltwater Resistant | Structural Bonds to Wood, Gel Coat & Fiberglass | Above & Below Waterline | Tack Free 48 Hours, Full Cure 5–7 Days

3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 (06504) is a one-component, high-strength, moisture-curing, gap-filling polyurethane adhesive sealant trusted throughout the marine industry for over 50 years. Cures to a firm, flexible, rubbery, waterproof seal on joints and boat hardware above and below the waterline. Permanent bond — separation after full cure requires cutting or grinding. Weathering and saltwater resistant. Black — for structural and sealing applications where black color match is required. 10 oz cartridge for standard caulking gun. Tack free in 48 hours; full cure in 5–7 days.

Part Specifications

• Part Number: 3M-06504
• Product Line: 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200
• Color: Black
• Size: 10 oz cartridge (requires standard caulking gun)
• Chemistry: One-component, moisture-curing polyurethane
• Bond Type: Permanent — separation after full cure requires cutting or grinding
• Substrates: Wood, gel coat, fiberglass, aluminum
• Application: Above and below the waterline
• Cured Properties: Firm, flexible, rubbery, waterproof seal; weathering and saltwater resistant
• Tack Free: 48 hours
• Full Cure Time: 5–7 days
• Typical Applications: Dark-hull keel attachment, black rub rail structural seams, hull planking on dark hulls, structural through-hull installations requiring black color match, under-molding structural bonds on dark hulls
• Also Available — 5200 Black: 3M 05205 Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 Black 3 oz
• Also Available — 5200 White: 3M 05206 5200 White 1 oz | 3M 05203 5200 White 3 oz | 3M 06500 5200 White 10 oz Cartridge
• Also Available — 5200 Fast Cure White: 3M 06535 5200FC White 1 oz | 3M 05220 5200FC White 3 oz | 3M 06520 5200FC White 10 oz Cartridge

Why Black — Color Match Applications for 5200

The 06504 is the same 5200 permanent polyurethane formula as the white cartridge (06500) in black for applications where color match or concealment is required:

• Dark-hull structural seams: On black, dark blue, or dark green hulls, white sealant at hull seams, keel attachment flanges, or structural joints is visually disruptive. Black 5200 blends into the joint for a cleaner appearance on dark-hulled vessels
• Black rub rail structural bonds: Black vinyl or rubber rub rails on dark-hulled boats may require a structural-grade sealant at the rail-to-hull attachment; where 4200FC serviceability is not needed, black 5200 provides a permanent structural hold with matching color
• Below-waterline through-hulls on dark hulls: Black sealant at through-hull flanges is less visible on dark-painted or dark-gelcoat hulls
• Under-molding and deck hardware on dark surfaces: Structural bonds under moldings or deck fittings on dark-colored surfaces where the sealant squeeze-out will remain visible
• Formula identical to white 5200: Bond strength, cure time, permanence, saltwater resistance, and above/below waterline rating are identical to 06500 White 10 oz, 05203 White 3 oz, and 05205 Black 3 oz — only color differs

Standard 5200 vs 5200 Fast Cure — Cure Time Trade-offs

• Standard 5200 (this product — 06504): Tack free 48 hours, full cure 5–7 days. Longer cure window means more working time to position complex assemblies, fiberglass deck-to-hull seams, or multi-piece structural installations before the surface skins over. The longer full cure is also appropriate when the joint will be immersed or stressed — full strength is not reached until day 5–7.
• 5200 Fast Cure White (06535 1 oz | 05220 3 oz | 06520 10 oz): Tack free 1–2 hours, full cure ~24–48 hours. Faster return to service. No black Fast Cure 10 oz cartridge is currently available in this catalog — if Fast Cure and black color are both required, verify current 3M product availability.
• Bond permanence is identical: Standard and Fast Cure both produce equally permanent, equally strong 5200 bonds at full cure. Choose based on required return-to-service time and assembly complexity.

5200 Permanent vs 4200FC Serviceable — Choosing the Right 3M Marine Sealant

• 3M 5200 / 5200 Black (this product — permanent): For structural bonds that will never be disassembled. Separation after full cure requires cutting or grinding. Use for: keel attachment, hull planking, deck-to-hull seams, structural through-hull installations, motors bonded to fiberglass transoms. Do not use where future disassembly will be needed.
• 3M 4200FC Serviceable Black (06564 Black 10 oz): Strong permanent-feeling bond that can be disassembled with reasonable effort for maintenance. Use for rub rails, deck fittings, non-structural through-hulls, and hardware that may need future removal.
• 3M 4000 UV FC (05280 White 3 oz | 06580 White 10 oz): Medium-strength serviceable with UV resistance. Above-waterline hardware only.

10 oz Cartridge — Size & Format

• Requires a standard 10 oz caulking gun (not included)
• Higher volume suited for full structural seam runs, multiple through-hull installations, deck-to-hull seam lengths, and production work where larger quantity and lower cost-per-oz reduce tube changes mid-job
• For smaller applications use the 3M 05205 Black 3 oz
• Cut nozzle at 45° to desired bead size; puncture the inner foil seal before dispensing
• After use, leave the nozzle cap in place to slow skin-over of remaining product

Application Notes

• Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of grease, oil, wax, and loose material — wipe with acetone or isopropyl alcohol and allow to dry completely
• Apply to one or both surfaces and press together firmly; maintain alignment throughout the tack-free period
• Moisture initiates cure — higher humidity and warmer temperatures accelerate surface cure; tack free 48 hours under normal conditions
• Full cure 5–7 days — do not stress the joint, immerse below the waterline, or load the bond until fully cured
• Uncured product: clean up with acetone or MEK. Cured product: must be cut or abraded for removal
• Wear gloves — uncured polyurethane is difficult to remove from skin; black pigment increases staining risk on light surfaces and clothing
• 5200 is a permanent bond — verify all fitting positions, alignment, and fastener locations before applying; repositioning after the surface skins over is not possible without damage

Additional Information

• Vendor: 3M
• SKU: 3M-06504
• Product Type: Boat & Engine Maintenance / Adhesives & Sealants
• Color: Black
• Size: 10 oz cartridge
• Country of Origin: USA
• HS Code: 3506.10 (products suitable for use as glues or adhesives, put up for retail sale — verify for your import classification)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the black 5200 (06504) the same formula as the white 5200?
A: Yes — same permanent polyurethane formula. Bond strength, cure time (tack free 48 hrs, full cure 5–7 days), permanence, saltwater resistance, and waterline rating are identical to 06500 White 10 oz and 05203 White 3 oz. Only color differs.

Q: What is the difference between standard 5200 (this product) and 5200 Fast Cure?
A: Same permanent bond, different cure speed. Standard 5200 is tack free in 48 hours and fully cured in 5–7 days — the longer cure window gives more working time for complex assemblies. Fast Cure (06535 White 1 oz | 05220 White 3 oz | 06520 White 10 oz) is tack free in 1–2 hours and fully cured in ~24–48 hours. Note: no black 5200 Fast Cure 10 oz cartridge is currently in this catalog.

Q: Can 5200 be removed if I need to take apart the fitting later?
A: 5200 bonds are permanent — separation requires cutting or grinding the bond line and will damage bonded surfaces. If there is any possibility you will need to remove a fitting in the future, use the serviceable 3M 4200FC Black 10 oz (06564) instead.

Q: How long before I can launch after applying below the waterline?
A: Full cure is 5–7 days — do not immerse below the waterline until fully cured. Tack free in 48 hours does not mean the joint is at full strength; the bond continues to cure and gain strength through day 7. Higher temperature and humidity accelerate cure.

Q: Does the 10 oz cartridge require a caulking gun?
A: Yes — a standard 10 oz caulking gun is required (not included). For smaller jobs without a gun, the 3M 05205 Black 3 oz squeeze tube is the black 5200 option in a smaller no-gun format.