Rebedding Portlights with New Gaskets & Screens

B

Bob & Sue

Active Member
Jun 3, 2011
1,637
Browns Point Tacoma WA
Boat Info
Sold 1999 270DA Sundancer
Engines
5.7l Mercuiser
This has turned into another PITA project I removed 3 of the portlights Thursday it took 4 hours just to get them out, brought them home for cleanup there was at least 3 different sealants white, clear and an off gray it appears the PO just removed trim and added more sealant after about 8 hours of soaking in every chemical I had Krud Kutter for sealants, Mckinas, Goof Off and acetone they finally are clean. Spent about 4 hours buffing all the stainless almost look new for 14 year old portlights all that's left to do is polish out the scratches and water spots on the Lexan and install the new gaskets and screens then cover all the stainless with painters tape. There is about a 1" gob of sealant around the outside of the portlight that was smeared on by a really sloppy lazy PO I have spoke with a gel coat guy and Meguiars they both say to get as much off as possible then use 3000 grit pads on it followed by Marine Power Cut compound then a lighter compound and polish. I knew this was going to be a pain but sure didn't expect all this for 4 portlights well maybe I did that's why they've been sitting in the boat since Dec 2011 hope to have it finished in a couple more days. I will post more pics later after they are rebedded. THANKS to Turtlesboat for the great post it really was helpful.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/45694-Porthole-leak-How-to-fix/page2?highlight=porthole+gasket

copyDSCN0470_zps91a4f0f1.jpg

copyDSCN0466_zps50ff63fc.jpg

copyDSCN0473_zpsae9c4cd1.jpg
 
Very strange the decals are put on prior to port installation. Maybe even prior to cutting the opening?
I've been wanting to do ours for peace of mind but that pita part is still keepin me at bay. Ya I know the bigger pita if they leak-coring issues.
 
I don't think it's strange at all. They are probably one peice and its easier to get one long stripe on strait than having to work around holes and keep it all strait and lined up.

Your rebed is looking good!
 
Almost done one more portlight to bed after the fiberglass cures 2 of the lower screw holes were stripped the fiberglass was drill to close to the cutout from the factory. A couple day job has turned into 5 days. Will be able to wax it when the weather warms up.

DSCN0480_zpse5f86b48.jpg
 
For those that are doing this or have done it...has anyone used butyl rubber tape? I have researched that if you use a good quality butyl rubber (this is what the windshield of cars have for sealant) you do not have to do it so often. I believe it is easier clean up then silicone too (that may just be my thinking). I have used it in the past for a job I had in college for bathtub liners and surrounds. Also has anyone used or looked into plumbers putty? That seems to work well and forever on the drain flange...I bet the UV exposure our heat is an issue though...but would it really get any UV mashed between the two flanges? (sorry thinking out loud)

I need to do this as soon as I can get my boat out of storage..two weeks! I am thinking I may try butyl and see how it goes.

This link is a tutorial on bedding deck hardware, and does a great job of explaining why and how to use butyl rubber. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware&page=3

And this is not a solicitation for this guy but it does have a good time lapse photo of what butyl does under stress. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape
 
Butyl is great for anything above the water line. It stays flexible for almost every, has much more elasticity than sealants and is much easier to work with/clean up.

Automotive windshields have been bedded with urethane for a long time now, but butyl was used at one point.

pchanson8 said:
For those that are doing this or have done it...has anyone used butyl rubber tape? I have researched that if you use a good quality butyl rubber (this is what the windshield of cars have for sealant) you do not have to do it so often. I believe it is easier clean up then silicone too (that may just be my thinking). I have used it in the past for a job I had in college for bathtub liners and surrounds. Also has anyone used or looked into plumbers putty? That seems to work well and forever on the drain flange...I bet the UV exposure our heat is an issue though...but would it really get any UV mashed between the two flanges? (sorry thinking out loud)

I need to do this as soon as I can get my boat out of storage..two weeks! I am thinking I may try butyl and see how it goes.

This link is a tutorial on bedding deck hardware, and does a great job of explaining why and how to use butyl rubber. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware&page=3

And this is not a solicitation for this guy but it does have a good time lapse photo of what butyl does under stress. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for taking pics and documenting this for others to see. It looks like a good job so far. Awww, the labor of love we put into these pieces of plastic.
 
Yikes - I just want to replace my screens. Do I have to remove the entire portal as described in this thread?
 
Nice job! The wax job you did is beautiful. Looks new.
 
xrochester said:
Yikes - I just want to replace my screens. Do I have to remove the entire portal as described in this thread?
Click to expand...

No this was a complete re-bedding of the portlights just to change the gasket & screen you do not need to remove the portlights. You can contact Bomar for the gasket & new style screen that pops into a groove at
http://www.pompanette.com/bomar or contact your Sea Ray dealer.
These are the screens and gaskets I used after contacting Bomar.
I can determine that the screen and gasket kit you need is the P100-04-RETRO. They are $25.00 per kit. We can ship in approximately one week. You may order through your local distributor or through our Customer Service Department at 603-826-5791.

Here is the installation PDF.
pdfportlight_zpsfe1be6d5.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bump for a good thread.

I just received my new screens and gaskets so I need to place this on my to-do list.

The frame and caulking look great and I have no leaks so I'm not going to rebed.
 
was next on list... had a couple others sneak up on me..
 
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