Resealing windows and windshield

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Michel Galy

The two fixed windows and the windshield on my 1995 Hunter 29.5 have started leaking. I shall appreciate any advice on the reseal technic and the sealant or ahhesive/sealant best suited for the job. Thanks for your help. Michel Galy
 
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Mark

Got it?

We recently fitted new windows (flush mounted onto the gelcoat) on one of our small yachts. We used Sikaflex. It was quite an expensive operation but the result was excellent. We purchased three Sika products. 1) Cleaner 2) Primer 3) Sealant adhesive. We started by making sure the surface was free of all previouse silicon. We then ruffed up the gelcoat surface as well as the area on the new windows that came into contact with gelcoat. Both surfaces were then cleaned with the cleaner and left to dry. About 15-20 minutes. Then the primer (black paint like stuff) was applied and left to dry for about 30-50 minutes. We then applied the Sealant adhesive. To obtain an even thickness of sealant under the new windows we punched a whole heap of rubber dots out of a car inner tube and glued them on to the surface of the yacht with the sealer immediatly prior to pushing the window on. We left to cure for about 24 hours. The result is fantastic but remember to mask off areas that you do not want the sealant on cos when it sticks it sticks for good. It is important to get the correct UV stable sealant. There is one for mineral glass and one for plastic type glass. We thought it would be a pretty hard job but dispite all the worry it was really quite easy. Good luck.
 
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Michel Galy

Many thanks

Thanks very much for your advice. For your information, the Hunter's customer service suggested I used the sealant Dow Corning 739. best regards, Michel Galy
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Cut them out with monofiliment line.

Michel: The easiest way to get the old lenses out without breaking them is to use some high test fishing line. All you need to do is cut out a small piece of the caulking on the edge (inside and out). Then fish the line through the hole. Have someone hold it from down below and another from above. Then just pull it around the opening and viola, the lense pops out. When you get the lense out, you should make a basket on the inside of the boat. This is just some newpaper taped to the interior to catch all of the old caulking when you scrape it off the port opening. Clean the opening very well before you start the install process. Mask the deck area before you start caulking. Also put making tape on BOTH side of the lense before you reinstall. Be sure that there is no tape on the area that will come into contact with the caulking. Once the caulking gets a SKIN on it you can strip off the masking tape and you are good to go. Be careful if you lenses use screws. This is an area that can be a source of the leaks.
 
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