Will removing and rebedding new trim rings help stop gray portlight leaks??

[JBurans]

Hi guys,
Have been working on my portlights - replaced the lens and gaskets on my 83 hunter 37 c - looking much better and brighter inside - I have 2 portlights that have "gouges" out of them and they are fine though esthetically unappealing! I have noticed gaps and open areas in the caulking between the trim ring and the portlight proper that protrudes from inside the cabin to the outside of the boat - I noticed pompanette will sell just the trim rings - would it be a good idea to remove old trim rings and replace with new ones once the area under them was cleaned well and recaulk them in place - mine don't have screws on the outside of the boat for the trim ring - or is it better to just "shoot" caulking into the gaps??
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Ed Schenck]

You probably cannot get the old trim rings off without breaking them. But I think that is the only way to get a good seal, to take off the ring and dig out a lot of old sealant. Not sure what you will do though when you find a lot of wet coring around the spigot(frame) of the portlight.

 

[JBurans]

Was hoping to "buy" some time

Hi Ed,
Thanks for all your helpful advice - I was hoping not to have to "redo" all the portlights - most don't appear to be leaking into the boat - one has leaked a bit over the vanity across from the head - found the caulking had fallen out between the trim ring and the outer portion of the portlight - sealed it temporarily with 4200 - water drips have stopped but you are right surely there is water inside - the real question would it be better to "shoot" caulk into gaps or replace trim rings (relatively inexpensive compared to the whole portlight) and rebed the trim ring to get a good seal and prevent further water ingress?
What do you think??
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Ed Schenck]

Shooting into the gap is a very temporary solution in my view. With the ring off you can get more of the old stuff cleaned out. I think that I found silicone in mine originally. And with "plastic" portlights that is probably the best sealant. Caulking from the outside fixes most leaks. But if you have water traveling through the coring from other sources then, of course, it will not. I hope that is not the case.

 

[JBurans]

lifecaulk better than 4200 for rebedding plastic trim rings?

I will order some new trim rings and try it on a couple of the portlights - do it one at a time and see what is "under" the trim ring - I suspect since the trim rings do not have screws that I should clamp them in place until they cure - would "lifecaulk" be better than 4200 in your opinion?? for rebedding the trim rings.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Blaise]

God couldn't stop the Grey ports from leaking.

 

[Nereussailor]

My Grey ports don't leak. I removed them bought new ones, dug out the core around the ports. finished it with west systems epoxy with silica, and installed new ports. my ports were in such bad shape, the only way to fix them was to replace them. If yours are in good shape, remove them clean them up, do the epoxy thing and put them back in. It's worth the time to do it right the first time. It wasn't a hard job, in fact it was pretty easy. A Dremmel tool makes life much easier when doing this.

Dave S

 

[sandpiper10471]

Dave S - what caulking did you use?
Jim - the Life product is better. Use the one that contains the silicone. Can't remember if that is seal or caulk.
The trim rings do little to keep the water out - except for the screw holes which are probably underneath them.
In my experience, the only way is to take them out completely and do whatever necessary to prep the area for re-installation.

 

[Nereussailor]

I used Lifecaulk. It's expensive but worth it.

Dave S