Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I am currently replacing my original framed ports with frameless Lexan. After doing some research I have narrowed down my sealant/adhesive choices to either Boatlife Life Seal or Dow Corning 795. I would like your opinions and input before I make the final choice. I understand some may feel I should have went with Acrylic rather than Polycarbonate but that is not my question. And the Lexan is already bought and payed for. Thanks again and fair winds to all.
I replaced my '87 port-lights with acrylic. I had an older powerboat that I replaced the windows with poly. My experience is that neither will stand up to the sun. Whatever you use, make some covers immediately.
Would 795 work for rebedding the sunlight in the foredeck. I used 4200 last time, but now its leaking again. Apparently 4200 deteriorates in the presence of some deck cleaners/solvents.
I had my portlights professionally replaced, and they said both acrylic and lexan expand and contract. Don't cut them to fit too closely. Look at another boat of recent vintage to see how much space the builder left. Leave a little room for expansion. For that reason, it is better if you install them without using screws.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
Would 795 work for rebedding the sunlight in the foredeck. I used 4200 last time, but now its leaking again. Apparently 4200 deteriorates in the presence of some deck cleaners/solvents.
Seth, 4200 and its evil twin sister 520 are adhesives, not sealants. For anything that MAY, I say may, need to be removed in the future, a sealant is far superior to do the task.
Stu 1986 C34 #224 "Aquavite" Cowichan Bay, BC Maple Bay Marina (formerly San Francisco) (formerly C25 #2459 "Capricorn Two")
quote:I used 4200 last time, but now its leaking again
That's because 4200 isn't compatible with plastics. It will eat the plastic and eventually leak. Boatlife Life Seal or Dow Corning 795 is made for bedding plastics. I used Life Seal on my dead light without any problems.
quote: LifeSeal® offers a fast-curing, low odor, high adhesion, non-sagging, non-corrosive, non-yellowing formula. It provides a durable permanent watertight seal for joints subject to structural movement. May be used above and below the waterline. Use for sealing decks to hulls, thru-hull fittings, vinyl ports, sealing/glazing windshields and bedding marine hardware. Will adhere to metal, glass, wood, Lexan®, ABS® and certain other materials.
Please people, DO NOT USE polyurathane sealants to bed plastics. It will fail. Also IMO Regular Silicon has no place on a boat. 3M 4200. Notice the incopatability.
quote:Formulation: One-part fast-cure polyurethane adhesive/sealant Recommended Usage: Fiberglass, wood, metal, some plastics, above or below water Material Incompatibilities: Acrylics ABS, Lexan Cure Time: Tack free: 2 hrs; complete cure: 24 hrs Cleanup: Mineral spirits or kerosene Removal: Mechanical removal Tensile Strength: 300psi
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
Rather than covers you might want to apply a UV protectant. Some window tints provide it. End of the day it's not heat, light or infrared that does the damage but the UV. Good luck with your installation.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.