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Leaking Windows again

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Sidurian
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/27/2002 : 14:53:33

I just resealed all my windows using the Cat. Direct grey gasket material; since it appears that water is entering the cabin from around the window gasket (not the frame of the window), I was wondering how this can be cured? Should I take the windows apart and seal the gasket around the window itself with silicone sealant? The reason I did NOT do this the first time around is because I was under the mistaken impression that the gasket material itself was a self-sealing type. How do I get this sealed with silicone without making a total mess - or is this what normally happens? Thanks in advance,

Stephen
"Otter" #3531

There's always something!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2002 : 15:35:23

Stephen,

What ever you do,

***** DON'T USE SILICONE! *****

Now, with that said, see the recent "leaking windows" post under the General Forum.

Edited by - on

Sidurian
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2002 : 15:59:09

Thanks for the warning and advice - neither one helped and ***** THAT'S WHY I POSTED THE QUESTIONS!***** Now, perhaps someone else might share some real insight. ;)

There's always something!

Edited by - on

jm
Captain

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Canada
290 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2002 : 16:14:25

I've heard the window gasket/sealant used by your local autoglass installer (Standard Auto Glass?) is very good, and might improve your situation. You might try it, and/or ask them to assist..

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2002 : 16:55:12

Stephen,
As you probably figured out you when installed it, the grey gasket on the inside of the window is cosmetic. When I re-did my windows, the outside gasket had hardened and shrunk. The glass is epoxied to the frame. I spent many hours removing the old epoxy from the frames (I had smoked glass replacements made and the frames re-anodized.) I spent even more time removing the silicone that the previous owner had smathered on the glass, the frame, the cabin liner and the exterior.
With the availability of ever improving materials, I didn't even consider using new gaskets from Catalina. I purchased a butyl rubber product (in a caulking tube) from an auto glass store. When cured, it formed a gasket that was firm yet pliable.
I used silkaflex between the window frame and the cabin exterior. See my other post about allowing the silkaflex to cure, forming a gasket, before tightening the frame all the way.
These two surfaces are the only ones that keep the weather out.
I hope this post provides more insight than the last <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> .

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ (Ode to Joy)

[url="http://catalina25-250.org/photo0.htm/"]<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/photo/ode075.jpg" border=0>[/url]

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Sidurian
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 11:15:19

Steve -

I'm going out on a limb here and will disassemble my windows and throw out that crappy grey "leaking guaranteed" gasket I got from Cat. Direct and will go with your advice, re. the butyl rubber caulking - now for the details....did you first run a bead of the butyl rubber in the groove where the glass rests in the frame and then slide the glass in there or did you run it after assembling the frame? By the way, I'll stick with the silicone - it seems to be working fine and besides, I still have couple of tubes left. ;)

Stephen

There's always something!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 12:25:24

The only grey gasket that I'm aware of was the inside one - which again is only cosmetic - which I re-used.
The outside gasket was the one I chose not to replace - and used butyl instead.
As far as assembly is concerned, the original glass (inside surface) was epoxied to the frame from the factory and I used epoxy to re-attach my new glass. I applied the epoxy to the ribbed surface then re-inserted the glass and closed the frame. I used cedar shims to hold the glass in place until cured (ya still with me here Stephen?) Then I applied the butyl caulking between the outside surface of the glass and the frame. I notched a plastic spreader to taper the butyl at 45% so the is epoxied surface is blocked from UV (epoxy is not UV resistant.)
Stephen, I'm a little concerned that we're not communicating clearly here - so please read my posts word for word and follow-up with any questions - dude.

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ (<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>de to Joy)

Edited by - OJ on 06/28/2002 12:36:26

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 13:24:21

Don't throw it away just yet 

Catalina Direct recently came out with a new gasket. The first is the one that is visible from inside the cabin, as noted above it is purely cosmetic. The second is something they call glazing that fits around the glass and into the frame. Catalina Direct recomends using Life Caulk (it might be life seal, I get that crap confused so call and ask, The salesman I had on the phone was smart enough to scam me with a "Special Caulk" that I ate up in a second, only to find I paid 14 bucks for the "life" product...)with this stuff. I recommend it too, so that if it doesn't work, you have means for redress. I can't vouch for it but did purchase some and will give it a try on one window this weekend. 

Take a look at this link to see what I am talking about...
http://www.catalinadirect.com/vinyl%20glazing%20channel.html

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b1ce23b3127cce9b043565af3d0000004010" border=0>

Because my mind never really works the way I type this post was

Edited by - Duane Wolff on 06/28/2002 13:28:08

Edited by - on

gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 13:28:44

I too have leaky windows, port side only, it is a 1982 25C SK std. I was about to order the gray channel from CD but after reading the posts have second thoughts. As you will see on the CD site the gray channel is U shaped and the glass fits into it. IT does NOT seal, they tell you on the phone you must add caulk to the inside of the U and to both outsides of the U. The inside trim vinyl piece, notice I did not say gasket, is strictly cosmetic to fill the void in the aliminium frame.

I am confused though about the post that used the butyl to hold glass in. As I understand it the glass is butyled to the inside face of the aluminum frame but what holds the frame into the rough opening of the window hole in the fiber glass. We need a good cross section drawing here.

Edited by - on

FrankV
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 15:27:12

I don't remember the name of the product, (permaseal comes to mind) but the former forum had a recomendation to use a flowable silicone found at any auto parts store. I poured the $4.00 bottle of goop around the window frames and all leaks stopped for over two years. It is an easy, quick and (so far) permanent fix.

Edited by - on

Daniel
1st Mate

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78 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2002 : 16:58:05

I also had the same problem with the CDirect vinyl spline leaking after installation. In my opinion the material should be thicker and should seal without having to caulk between it, glass and frame. I spent a lot of time trying to find a heavier gauge spline but wasn't able to locate anything. I solved it by using a liquid silicone sealant for auto windshields on both sides of the spline, despite the valid arguments I had heard against silicone.

Between frame and cabin, I prefer putty tape (sold at RV dealers), used in campers to bed windows, over Life caulk. It's easy to put on or take off and seals well. Just make sure it is room temp. before unrolling.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/01/2002 : 09:30:29

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I am confused though about the post that used the butyl to hold glass in. As I understand it the glass is butyled to the inside face of the aluminum frame but what holds the frame into the rough opening of the window hole in the fiber glass. We need a good cross section drawing here.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

You're right, a drawing would be very helpful here.

The butyl does not hold the glass in - it only seals the space between the glass (outside surface) and the frame - keeping the weather out. The glass is held in place by epoxy. The epoxy is applied between the ribbed surface of the aluminum frame and the inside surface of the glass.

Edited by - on

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