How to remove lexan skylights?

Rich

May 7, 2002

I've been waiting for warm weather to tackle this project and the wx is here, finally. I have a 35.5 Legend and last weekend I removed the screws which hold one of the four skylights in place. I was hoping the skylight would, with a little gentle persuasion with a hammer, pop out. No joy. It appears to be firmly embedded in the frame. I can't tell what kind of adhesive is holding it down, but at least part of it looks like silicone caulk. There may be another adhesive there as well.Can anyone out there give me a suggestion about how to remove the skylight (non-destructive, preferably) and not damage the frame support?TIARich

Bruce Mulford

May 7, 2002

I ended up having success using...

a razor knife to slice what I could from above and then a hack saw blade working from inside and sawing through the layer of silicone like bedding all around the skylight on my H 29.5. I took more than an hour to get it all loose, but I successfully freed up the skylight in one piece that way. Hard part was getting a new bedding layer laid down on such a large area without it setting up before I could get skylight in. I recommend two people for this part of the project, both take an area and get the silicone in simultaneously and for handling the skylight to get it laid back in.

Steve Dion

.

May 7, 2002

Rich, try this.

Rich:Follow Bruces advice of cutting the adhesive with a sharp blade. Then get a bottle of Island Girl Pink. This stuff will help soften the caulking. Sit back and let the cleaner soak and soften the caulking. You should be able to remove them without a hammer. I think what you are dealing with is either a GE or DOW product (call Hunter and ask them, you should use a similar product when you rebed them anyway). Be sure that you clean up the opening before you start the reinstallation process.