nate44 wrote:...I took my windshield and two side windows out. I would like to tint them and paint the aluminum framing black....where can I find new gasket material for the windshield frames?
When we tackled our refurbish project, it was decided to powder coat the windshield, side window, and cabin window's frames (6 total).
First the frames were removed from the boat. They came out REAL HARD. Had to use a hammer, wood chistle, and wedges while trying not to crack the glass. Then the old vinyl glazing and glass panels were removed. Got lucky, no cracks. Each piece of glass had to have the old silicone shaved off with a razor and cleaned with solvent.
Somebody had applied black vinyl tape to the frames some years ago. Had to use Jasco paint stripper and a putty knife to get the lion's share off and then stripper and a green scothbrite. The electro coater finished the job with sandblasting.
When the frames were back from the electro coater the glass was laid in and checked for proper orientation and fit. Then, using a cordless caulk gun, a 3/16" bead of marine grade silicone was applied to the frame. Then the glass was set in and pressed down firmly along the edges to squeeze the silicone around. Wooden wedges (clothes pins worked great) were employed to keep pressure against the glass along the edge and soft scuba dive weights on top. The silicone was allowed to dry for 24 hours.
Tried to find the original vinyl glazing but had no luck. Decided to use
Dow Corning® Contractor's Weatherproofing Sealant (CWS) as a substitute. To make a nice clean bead, the window and frame were masked off with painters tape (see photos). The cordless caulk gun made the glazing task a breeze. Removed the masking tape immediately after glazing. Taking the tape off allowed the edge of the bead to lay down smooth.
The CWS was allowed to cure for a week before reinstalling the frames on the boat. Used 3/4" inch wide, 1 1/16" thick
3M double coated polyethylene foam tape between the frames and the boat to seal out water.
Photo album:
http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk80/DiverDennisL/WINDOW%20REFURB%202007/Hmmm, sounds like a "how to" post.....
Surface Interval 1975 28' Express, Single Chrysler M360 ('87), Raymarine E120 MFD, HD digital sonar, GPS,
4KW radome, S1G AST autopilot, SIRIUS satellite weather, Floscan 9000, 25HP Mercury kicker,
24 volt stern thruster, Interlux Brightside paint ('06-'08) Trilux 33 on bottom,
Big Jon electric downriggers, Traxtech swivel mounts, Bert's track and ratchet holders. Click
here for all the equipment details and
here for the complete photo album.
