Butyl tape

[Mike Casucci]

I would like to try butyl tape to reseal my port lights, but can't find a place to buy it in Northern NJ or Southern CT. Does anybody know of a source?

 

[Michael]

NAPA Auto butyl Tape

Mike: You can get the tape at NAPA auto stores. Check there web site at www.napaonline.com. Type butyl tape in the search field. It comes in several sizes and inround and square and is black in color. I did this job on my Catalina 30 last year. There were some leaks which as it turned out were from between the window and the frame not the frame and the coach roof. What a pain. Pulled the windows and frames out...etc...etc. I think the original grey stuff they used was a butyl, still soft after 20 years. You can use isopropyl alcohol to clean it us some. Here is the deal. What size to get? If you done get the frame set flush back up against the coach roof you will have a gap where you can see the butyl. I spent the summer cutting off the excess as it squeezed out. Use a sharp razor blade and cold water and it won't stick. This is no problem from a leak stand point but don't sit anywhere near it or it will get on you cloths and...well... just throw them out...it will never come out of cloth and will never harden either so it gets everywhere. Change your cloths before you get in your car. Thank goodness for leather seats.

 

[Rose]

Butyl tape

You may also be able to get butyl at any glass/window repair shops - the places that repair windows, mirrors, storm doors, or auto windshields. I have rebed the glass in my opening ports and no leaks. To clean up the excess just spritz the area with glass cleaner like windex and cut with a razor. I've gotten it in gray and black.

 

[chet p]

R/V dealer

Go to almost any R/V repair,service place and they will have it in rolls. usually 3/4 x 1/16 with paper between the layers.. they too use it to seal in windows on the rv's. works great and cheaper than "MARINE"

 

[Steve Dion]

Why butyl tape?

Mike:I am an advocate of butyl tape, but why not just use the Dow product that Hunter recommends?

 

[Adam]

Is Butyl tape the same stuff...

...used to bed ODay 23 windows? I'm a bit concerned a have a little leak from a couple of the windows, and might fix this this off-season.Thanks