Author Topic: resealing Plexiglas hatches  (Read 7397 times)

Kgorby

  • P323
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Karma: 0
  • P323 Enthusiast
    • View Profile
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: lucky lady
  • City: Sandusky
  • State: OH
resealing Plexiglas hatches
« on: June 13, 2016, 08:53:07 PM »
I pulled my hatches and had them repainted and had new Plexiglas cut for them, I tried boat life adhesive it leaked, cleaned it out tried 3M marine adhesive sealant 4000 uv, leaked again, then tried 3M flex seal and brushed on top, still leaking, any ideas on what will seal Plexiglas 

Dolce_Vita

  • P323
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 563
  • Karma: 9
    • View Profile
    • S/V Dolce Vita
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: Dolce Vita
  • City: Pasadena
  • State: MD
Re: resealing Plexiglas hatches
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2016, 12:43:32 AM »
Dow Corning 795.  It's an industrial adhesive used to install glass pane windows in hi-rise office buildings.
It's not available in your local hardware or Home Depot.  You need to find a contractor supplier in your area.
I used this to install the new lexan lenses in my rebuilt hatches, and they've been leak-free for over four years.
@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

Alma

  • P323
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 343
  • Karma: 10
    • View Profile
    • GeneSmithStudio
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: ALMA
  • City: Forked River, NJ
  • State: NJ
Re: resealing Plexiglas hatches
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2016, 09:57:36 AM »
Did that DOW sealant have a primer Ed? How would it hold up with old Lexan?

Thanks-

Gene

Dolce_Vita

  • P323
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 563
  • Karma: 9
    • View Profile
    • S/V Dolce Vita
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: Dolce Vita
  • City: Pasadena
  • State: MD
Re: resealing Plexiglas hatches
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2016, 02:22:24 PM »
No primer.  I applied it directly to the cleaned powder-coated frames and the Lexan lenses.

Don't know for sure how it would work with old Lexan, but if its cleaned down to bare material I don't see why it wouldn't hold.
It's silicone-based so it's flexible, but unlike the Silicone caulks you get at Home Depot, it has significant adhesive strength.
It's the only thing holding in those hi-rise glass pane windows!

Its very sticky/messy, so it requires a lot of masking everywhere to insure getting a clean job.

Kgorby, are you sure it's lens that's leaking and not the hatch gasket?  Those gaskets get old and hard, and will leak a lot.  New ones are available and easily installed via their preinstalled adhesive backing.  One trick to be aware of before installing the gasket is to measure and cut it to length, and then super-glue the cut ends together before installing the gasket.  If you don't do this. it will leak at the butt seam.
@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4

Rusty Pelican

  • P323
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 239
  • Karma: 5
  • http://rustypelican.blogspot.com/
    • View Profile
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: Rusty Pelican
  • City: Hingham
  • State: MA
Re: resealing Plexiglas hatches
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2016, 05:21:56 PM »
You can get it on Amazon

Kgorby

  • P323
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Karma: 0
  • P323 Enthusiast
    • View Profile
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: lucky lady
  • City: Sandusky
  • State: OH
Re: resealing Plexiglas hatches
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2016, 11:23:47 AM »
Sorry it took so long to get back with results, all leaks fixed, thanks I should have come here first you guys are the best 

Dolce_Vita

  • P323
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 563
  • Karma: 9
    • View Profile
    • S/V Dolce Vita
  • Model: P323
  • Vessel Name: Dolce Vita
  • City: Pasadena
  • State: MD
Re: resealing Plexiglas hatches
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2016, 09:43:56 PM »
Kgorby,

  So, what was your final solution?
@(^.^)@  Ed
1977 P-323 #42 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4