What is the best product for stopping leaks on windows. Have a catalina 30. Really don't want to have to take windows completely out.
Leaking windows
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DUCT TAPE.
For people who don't want to spend the time to do it correctly. Just kidding, sort of. If you don't remove the windows and do a proper repair you will most likely continue to have a leak. Do it right the first time. You will never regret it.
I just can't figure out how you'll fix leaks without at least pulling the external frame away from the house.... and if the leaking is in the glazing, you definitely must remove the window. The good news.... it's easy... for safety, tape the outside frame to the cabin so it doesn't accidently pop out too explosively when you break the caulk seal.
I would assume they are all leaking in one way or another. Catalina Direct sells a kit to re-bed windows. You need to remove frames, replace the glazing and re-bed everything. Its a solid weekend job but will solve a major source of water leaks on Catalina 30. I did mine several years back and its worth the effort. I also tinted the glass before the reinstall which made the windows look a bit more modern. As far as the kit -- you really need the glazing + a sealant to bond/seal the alum frame to the fiberglass. There will be many opinions on that but I would go with 4200. You can also try butyl tape. I added some silicon to the glass/glazing bond for some extra bond.
- Rob
- Rob
Depending on how your port is configured, there are a number of solutions from butyl tape to a number of suitable sealants. for sealants you may want to think about how large the faying (contact) surface is. The stronger the sealant the more difficult to remove it to fix it next time.
If it's an opening port leaking at the opening, look for a bulb seal that will fit. They usually work better than foam seals. Don't overlook the regular home improvement stores for this.
Ken
If it's an opening port leaking at the opening, look for a bulb seal that will fit. They usually work better than foam seals. Don't overlook the regular home improvement stores for this.
Ken
If your ports are Lewmar, and have a gap between the upper and lower aluminum frames (on the outside) then simply cleaning out the caulk in that gap as best you can, and then re calking will often fix leaks without removing the frames. It is pretty easy and cheap, so I'd try that first.
Bill
Bill
I think the butyl tape may be the best bet for me. I went through this last fall and reinstalled using "LifeSeal" caulk. This time, I'll try the butyl tape.
Thanks
Never used it but I fink I would try Cap Trolley's. He may look like a nut but others here swear by it.
http://www.captaintolley.com/
http://www.captaintolley.com/
The leaks that I did have came from between the frame and the fiberglass. Those I removed and cleaned and re-bedded with butyl tape I have not had a leak since then.
About a year later the exposed pat of the rubber that seal between the glass and the frame pulled off on the Cat27 but it still has not leaked.
Easy yes but we had several tries before getting it right, still waiting now for a bad rainstorm to test the very latest attempt. We have also bought a set of portlight visors which should allow use of the portlights in rain but we don't want to fit them until ewe are sure we do not need to do the join seal job again. Lewmar portlights made between 1980 and 1998 were made with a design error and had extra and unused screw holes where water could get below via the frame joins and into the hollow extrusion behind. The portlight visors will also help keep some of the heavy rain off the joins hopefully reducing the pressure on the new sealant as well as allowing the port to be open for ventilation in rain
Visors here httphttp://flotilla.seaworthygoods.com/://
That's good stuff for deck cracks where a penetrating epoxy is needed. Not sure I would use it in this application.
Of course, why didn't I think of that!. I want the real deal not a simulated hurricane. I'm not sure if a constant gentle drizzle is worse or the shorter lived but horizontal wind driven tropical storm rains, Once we fit our new visors access with a sealant tube or caulking gun will be difficult and those visors are designed to stick on once and stay put!Uh... what about a garden hose?