[Public-List] window replacement

Tue May 3 12:39:57 PDT 2011

I used Butyl tape on the outside frames of my new 1/4" Lexan windows; stuck
it to the inside of the frames, cut the excess off, then fastened frames in
and out.  I put plastic washers on the inside of the frame to maintain about
a 1/16" of sealant thickness.  Also used nylon washers under the Allen head
bolts to try and get a better seal at the frame holes.  It was easy to clean
up and no masking necessary; hope it works!  

I also tried sealing the space between the windows and cabin.  I first taped
the windows to the outside of the cabin and masked the inside of the cabin
and windows before putting silicone in the gap between the edge of the
windows and the edge of the cabin cut outs.  The thought was to seal the
windows on their edges as an extra precaution. (Sidebar - Mike, it sounds
like what your method accomplishes [so effectively] because all that
silicone will fill in the gaps through the full thickness of the cabin FG)
It didn't turn out so well; the outside tape didn't hold the windows in
plane and I just made a mess; ended up removing all the silicone (fun job
#2,364).

I would like opinions on one thought I had which is to NOT seal the inside
frames but rather insert some rigid material where the frames overlap the
glass (I now have wood shims every 6" but that's not quite the look I had in
mind).  If I leave a slight gap at the FG side of the frames, I can final
tighten the bolts and maintain pressure pushing the glass against the
outside sealant.  The rigid interior shim might offer added resistance to
wave forces and, if the outside seal leaks, it will leak inside so I can
discover and fix it before it delaminates the FG cabin top.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated?   

Roger 148 

PS - I just bought an infrared moisture meter 

-----Original Message-----
From: public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org
[mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Mike Lehman
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 2:07 PM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Paint hull liner & deck #560

John,

I agree completely with using silicon and would not use it anywhere except 
for the windows. I used GE Clear 35 year silicon...the secret is to tighten 
the screws 'almost tight'; let the silicon set for 24 hours and then 
complete the tightening of the screws thereby forming a gasket for the 
frames. I did this 30 years ago and never had a leak. I re-did the windows a

few years ago, not because they were leaking, but because the glass became 
crazed and I switched out to 1/4" instead of 3/16", lightly-tinted, 
Plexiglas.

-----Original Message----- 
From: John Riley
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2011 1:13 PM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Paint hull liner & deck #560

Mike Lehman wrote:
> Bob,
>
> We have replaced the windows in dozens of Albergs. The process is well
> documented with step-by-step instruction on the A30 website. This is a
> proven technique that has been refined over the years. There are a few
> tricks. If you have questions after reading this, I can clear them up.
> The page you will want to read is....
>
> http://alberg30.org/maintenance/HullDeck/Portlights/
>
>
Very interesting on the use/recommendation of silicon.

I am near the end-stage of completely rebuilding one side of my cabin
trunk due to the utter and complete failure of silicon sealant on the
portlights (and every other single place on the boat that stuff was
used) put in by a previous owner.  We took the frames off to rebed them,
and the whole side of the cabin trunk delaminated in my hand.

A few hours with a grinder to get back to good glass, some marine ply
epoxied into place with glass cloth and mat built up around the fillets
and I am getting close to final glassing and fairing.

I'll not use silicon anywhere on my boat, and a number of old boat
restoration enthusiasts agree:

http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,85.0.html

As always, your boat, your choices, and your mileage may vary...sealing
portlights is one of the recommended uses, but given my experience?  No
thanks.

Fair Winds,

-- 
John S. Riley
S/V Gaelic Sea
1972 Alberg 30 #521

_______________________________________________
These businesses support your Association:
http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
Please support them.
_______________________________________________
Public-List mailing list
Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org 

 1304451597.0