Anyone know about these two types of fixed portlights? They’re on a 1995 Beneteau 321. The top one is fully recessed while the side one protrudes about 1/4“. Both seem to have faux painted silver trim, so there’s no faceplate to remove. Each is roughly 8-1/2” x 26”. The other (opening) portlights on the boat all have access from the inside as well, but these do not. I’d like to rebed them since caulk looks old, but would like to know what I’m getting into before starting. Thanks.
Fixed portlights with painted-on trim
- Thread starter gpshome
- Start date
Looks old but not leaking?? UUuuhhhhhh.. "isn't broken--- don't fix it" comes to mind.. but.. they are probably glued in place with Dow 795 or equivalent ..
www.sailmagazine.com
DIY: Replacing Fixed Portlights
Let’s start with a tip. Kits sold in auto stores for polishing headlamps can also restore the clarity to portlights. If your plastic portlights are cloudy, not crazed, this is where you should start.
www.sailmagazine.com
I have a 1998 321 and had to reseal one so I did both top windows. Was a bit of a task so I recommend like kloudie says. Don't fix something that is not broke (leaking). INHO. If I had to do it again I would get new glass made at the same time.
Yeah, I should know better. Not leaking to my knowledge, but after this season there are now a few small visible gaps in the surrounding sealant. Would like to just seal the gaps, but have heard that won’t last.Looks old but not leaking?? UUuuhhhhhh.. "isn't broken--- don't fix it" comes to mind.. but.. they are probably glued in place with Dow 795 or equivalent ..
DIY: Replacing Fixed Portlights
Let’s start with a tip. Kits sold in auto stores for polishing headlamps can also restore the clarity to portlights. If your plastic portlights are cloudy, not crazed, this is where you should start.
Ok, may hold off a bit then - thanks. Is it glued in place like kloudie says? ...or bolts somewhere under headliner?
You could just caulk around the outside. If you chose this, mask off the area where you don't want the caulk. That way when you pull the tape up, you have a perfect line of caulk. Yes there are those guys who can lay down a perfect bead, but I'm not one of them. So I use tape. Dip your finger in soapy water to even out the caulk and get rid of the excess. Then before it cures, pull the tape. You'll have a perfect line that looks like an intentional piece of trim.
Thanks BigEasy, I'll try that this winter when I get back down to the boat Covid allowing). Gpshome , yes it was glued in place and the glass was hard to get out as it was leaking in only one spot and the rest was holding real good. I think it was silicon and had to cut my wat through it then clean the stuff off the glass and the fiberglass. All the time not to pry to hard to break the glass. Putting it back in was the easy part using the method that Daveinet said. That worked part worked out real well. Now I want to do the gray paint thing.
Don't let your wife see it or you will be redoing the caulk around the tub in the bathroom.
Mask it off and spray it with a can. I might be inclined to paint it flat black. It will just look like tinted window. Or color match it to the blue pinstriping or Benny label. Either way, pictures when your done or didn't happen.