[FDR14127]

Well, it looks like we will need to re-bed a port window. The sealant has failed. What do we need to glue these babies in, on to the Silpruf SC2000 by GE or maybe the Dow 795 product. Looks like the port light of lexan flexes at a different rate that the fiberglass house. In this cold it flexed and separated. Only on the full sun side though.

Anyone point us to a thread that is a tutorial on resetting the ports?

Thanks

 

[PaulinVictoria]

This was discussed in quite some detail on the C&C mailing list recently, seems that the consensus (well, as close as you can get to one anyway) was a combination of some VHB tape and then some Silrproof or 795.

 

[gbgreen59]

bump...I'm also interested in this. The looking I've done on the web says silicon based caulk is best, but other information says silicon caulks are not to be used due to difficulty in future removal.

 

[Faster]

bump...I'm also interested in this. The looking I've done on the web says silicon based caulk is best, but other information says silicon caulks are not to be used due to difficulty in future removal.

There are silicons and then there are silicons.. generally, the 'vinegary' smelling silicons are to be avoided at all costs.. but silicons like DC 795 are a very different breed and can work well.

 

[DonScribner]

795 is a structural silicone (reformulated a few years back to be so) and is what professional glaziers and skylighters use. The best thing to do is search this forum for instructions on how to rebed fixed lights. It's come up a number of times. I've given instructions several times and there was another fellow that attached a really nice instruction sheet. Made me jealous. Essentially, VHB tape or structural glazing tape leaving a 3/16 X 3/16 ish groove between the cabin, the glazing and the tape. Mask with 2" tape on the cabin and the glazing. Gun the silicone, TOOL THE SILICONE (emphasis in the original) and remove the tape immediately. Done right, it will look like a perfect gasket of your selected color.

 

[LinekinBayCD]

Read Mainesail's sticky in this forum.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/63554-bedding-deck-hardware-butyl-tape.html

 

[single2coil]

I just replaced 4 Plexiglas windows on my C&C. Dow 795 and 3M double sided tape. Worked very well. Search articles in Sail Magazine. It was the best I found. Clean Clean Clean is the motto. Remember to allow enough gap between the window and the fiberglass to allow for thermal expansion. The Dow 795 has capacity to stretch / elongate.

 

[LinekinBayCD]

This a a link to New Found Metals instructions on installing their replacement ports using butyl tape. I did mine 6-7 years back with butyl. One thing I'd recommentd is using grey tape rather than the black. Nice think about butyl, it doesn't schrink, it doesn't get hard. Always remains flexible.

Installation Video

 

[rugosa]

Review this as it explains original installation and recommended replacement materials. I've done this job and the article pretty well covers it - Portlight Replacement

 

[gbgreen59]

I believe the original post is about mounting glass or Lexan directly to the boat...fixed port window. The method of using butyl tape is for mounting hardware that has a window mounted in it...or a portlight.

I rebedded portlights using MaineSails method.

Maybe the more experienced can clarify.

 

[alctel]

imo silicone should probably not even be allowed near a boat, let alone used for stuff on it

 

[gbgreen59]

Here is a link to a description for rebedding a fixed port window. It seems similar to the one described by DonScribner above.

Boat Windows - How to Repair Window Leaks : Boats and Yachts Maintenance, Repairs and Troubleshooting

Here is another similar link:
http://thecoastalpassage.com/windows.html

Maybe MaineSail will pop up and give us some wisdom.

 

[single2coil]

Replacing Fixed Portlights | Sail Magazine

Another very good method. Took me awhile to find it. Worth studying

 

[miatapaul]

imo silicone should probably not even be allowed near a boat, let alone used for stuff on it

There may be few uses for it, but this is one. Kind of like 5200, not a lot of uses, but where it is used it is the best.