Hatch Lens Replacement

[Dan]

One of the items on my (arm's length) list of projects is to replace the crazed and scratched hatch lenses. I understand how to replace the lens -- there are some very good explainations online. What I don't know is what sort of material to use and what thickness I should choose.There's polycarbonate (lexan) and there's acrylic (plexiglas). Each has it's merits.Lexan:more shatterproof than plexiglaseasier to cutPlexiglas:CheaperMore colorsharder to scratchAlso, does anyone have any good sources for the material?Thanks in advance, all. Hopefully the "right" answer (or the considerations for deteriming the right answer) will emerge in this dialogue and will be forever archived for others.Dan

 

[Bob]

hatch lens

If the hatch is a Bomar, go to WWW.Pompanette.com. They have them in stock with all the holes drilled or you can buy the basic lense and drill the hole yourself. In any event the lense is an exact fit. You can also contact Select Plastics in Norwalk, Ct. They can make the lense for you.

 

[Dan]

Oh . . it's a Lewmar Hatch

Thanks, Bob.My hatch is Lewmar. I forgot to mention that.I know Select Plastics. They're good, but expensive. I'm trying to keep the cost down, so I want to DIY as much as possible on this project. But I guess I can call them to see what answers they have for my questions -- type and thickness of the plastic.

 

[MarkZ]

Materials...

You should be able to get anything you need at McMaster-Carr.

 

[Bob V]

wet sand

Before you throw them away try working out the scratches with wet sanding. You should probably start with about 400 grit and work up to a finer grit like 600 or even 1200. They may be salvageable.

 

[Warren Milberg]

I suggest UV stabilized

polycarbonate, which is probably sold as Lexan. This is tough stuff and will stand up to all the UVs your boat gets. It's sold in most local plastics shops and online (see link for but one example). Most places will cut the stuff to order for you. Getting old stuff out of the frame without damaging the frame is the hardest part of the job. Good luck with this project.

 

[Ross]

Before I put 400 grit abrasive paper on a piece of

plastic I would certainly try a sample of something first. 400 grit makes some seriouc scratches. I have bad some success with polishing compound for automotive finishes.

 

[Jeff]

From the manufacturer

You can get original replacement lenses from Lewmar. I did, they're inexpensive, $15-$20 each.Call you local Lewmar dealer.