Did you read my post on making the tape hinges to help placing the lens onto the VHB tape. You only get one chance and any error is permanent. I used the white 3m preservation tape to hold the location of one edge in the correct location and then hinged it back over that side to pull the backing off the tape. then it was a simple matter to fold it back into place. Make sure that you put some tension on the tape to keep it properly aligned.More to come. I will be installing these this spring and will document in Boat mods - O'Day 26.
Did you cut those lovely corners with a jigsaw?Here are the finished windows - waiting fr spring to install.View attachment 200973
When I did mine, I used a benchtop band saw to rough cut but a jigsaw or scroll saw would have also worked. I then used a top-bearing laminate trimming bit with the old lens as a jig to do the final cut.Did you cut those lovely corners with a jigsaw?
What are you using for the interior trim? This is one of the main things that's stopped me from going to plexi/lexan
The trim on my O'Day 25 is screwed to the window frame. How did you fasten yours without the frame?I am just putting the original trim back in. it is in good shape. this picture is what you see when the trim is removed. if my trim pieces were broken or unsightly, I would fashion some out of wood and either paint or varnish them and reinstall. - Chris Castrilper
Remove screws on the inside. The window is now held in by the sealant. Apply consistent, light to medium pressure to the frame. It will slowly come out. Don't try to rush it. Use acetone and a plastic scraper to remove the old sealant. If that doesn't work, I've found that these work well. The gray bristle discs leave virtually no marks in the fiberglass but I don't have as much experience using them so they may not be as effectiveDid you use putty knife or guitar string to separate the old trim?
Yep, I pushed from the inside. I think I started on one side and slowly worked my way to the other. It probably took about a minute if it has the factory sealant. The outside edge of the frame is very brittle after many years in the sun so I didn't try to pry. I've had to epoxy mine back together a few times.You mean you PUSHED the window out from the inside? I never imagined doing it that way. I already have the trim off one window and figured I'd use a painter's tool on the outside to get the window detached.
I bought the acrylic from a guy who was going to fix up his O'Day 23 but parted it out instead. The corners are sharp. I'm good with carpentry but haven't worked acrylic before so I may take this to a glazier to get the corners rounded. Husband would love teak trim on those windows. I would too, but I'd also love to spend more time sailing.
You would need to use adhesive or install something for the trim screws to screw into. Your best bet reuse it with externally mounted plexi is to cut up the frame. If you take a close look at the inside you can see where the frame/trim start and end. If your curious, you can remove the trim without any harm. I advise against power tools to put the screws back in. The plastic is a bit fragileAhh, so it's not possible to remove and reuse that piece that is adhered to the inside of the original window? The gap changing from the top to the bottom is something to think about. I like your idea of putting the trim in first and then cutting the excess.