Phil, Thanks a bunch for the great support. (I am embarrassed that I referred to "windows" instead of port lights. Guess I am not a sailor yet. Working on it though.) Can you explain the butyl rubber tape application a bit more? I am not sure I fully understand and would hate to screw up more.
Gerhard "The Mystic" 1991 #4882 Lake Michigan/Macatawa, Michigan -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Phil Agur Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 12:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: catalina27-talk: windows Gerhard, One of the reasons not to use silicon for sealing on a boat is its poor adhesive properties. At this point that is to your advantage. I know you're talking about a large area but it will usually just rub off by hand. I've been able to start a piece peeling and with a light touch pull it out level and lift so the edge of the bond underneath is strained and have several inches come up before the chunk splits off. I was redoing a forward hatch and the consistent thickness of the silicon may have been a big plus in peeling it away but try it. When it comes time to reseal the port lights I recommend you contact Catalina Direct. They paid a rubber supplier to extrude new silicone rubber seals and should supply installation instructions. I think it is the glass to aluminum channel seal. The consensus on the list is to use butyl rubber tape from an RV supplier to seal the form to the cabin top. Phil Agur s/v Wing Tip Commodore, Call Sign WCW3485 IC27/270A MMSI 366901790 www.catalina27.org Vessel Doc# 1039809 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Goss, Gerhard Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 7:56 AM To: [email protected] Subject: catalina27-talk: windows The previous owner of my C27 "sealed" the leaking windows with silicon. He smeared silicon over the outside and the inside original seal, covering the gel coat, aluminum, rubber and glass with an ugly film. (You will agree, sailboats are not supposed to look ugly.) It looks dirty and - you all guessed right - it didn't stop the leaking. Any words of wisdom how you experienced C27-DIYers would attack this? Is there any solvent that would get the silicon off without dissolving my C27? Gerhard "The Mystic" 1991 #4882
