Removal of Aluminum 2000 window on Mainship trawler

[Mrbill]

I have a 07 Mainship trawler hardtop and would like to remove the window on the starboard side next to the helm to repair the laminate. The screws that hold the snaps on are machine screws and don't patrude much past the frame. So, I don't think they were used to mount the window. I have checked all round the inside no clips or screws. A call to Aluminum 2000 wasn't any help they just read a sales brosure to me. I attached a photo of the window. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Mrbill]

Do you think Mainship just glued them in with 5200? It almost looks that way.

 

[Bacchus]

I have found that MS glued some items in place but I believe it was silicone and not 5200.
Galley trim and microwave oven are examples. I don't see any fasteners on interior wall trim and suspect they are glued as well.

 

[Dougcole]

5200 doesn't stick real well to aluminum.

 

[Pete Meisinger]

If it is some type of glue, probably not 5200, try a heat gun.

pete

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. Mr. MY first thought was heat as well BUT since one does not know what adhesive was used nor the breakdown temperature of said adhesive, the amount of heat needed to loosen/soften the adhesive may be sufficient to damage the FRP or gelcoat of the house so heat would be my last alternative.


Can you slide a very thin blade between the frame and the housing? Perhaps apply some de-bonding chemical?

 

[Comodave]

If you have to do any prying on the frame, I stick a wide blade putty knife in between the pry bar and the gel coat so that the putty knife will protect the gel coat.

 

[Mrbill]

I'm waiting on a reply from Pompanette.LLC engeneering. But in the meantime, I'm equipped with a full can of debond,putty knifes,plastic and wood wedges and a lot of patience. I just have a hard time believing there was no machnical fasteners. But it wouldn't be the first time a production boat builder has mad me scratch my head.

 

[Mrbill]

This is what Pompanette had to say.
(Thank you for your email. I forwarded it to my tech guy...this is what he had to say...


Mainship used adhesive to mount the Aluminum 2000 windows.. they mounted and held them in place with an inside jig, mode for each window, until the adhesive set. We supplied a small aluminum trim ring on the inside which was just for looks.)

We will see what happens when I go back to the boat. I will let you know what happens.

 

[danderer]

On ours that area of laminate did suffer from the sun. Not noticeable unless you were looking for it. Our decision was to simply leave things be -- the windows never leaked and I didn't want to disturb them and risk winding up with a larger problem.

 

[Comodave]

What is wrong with the laminate? Getting out the glued in window may be a real problem depending on what they used as an adhesive. You might even end up damaging the window frame and they may no longer be available. Can you live with the way the laminate looks now? Or maybe cover it with something...

 

[Bacchus]

If it's only the appearance of the wood at the side of the helm I wouldn't risk it with removing the window.
On mine the mouldings at top is removable and I would try making a pattern and replacement to set in place on the existing.
How about making up a boat name plaque to cover the area?

 

[BruceK]

If the laminate needs repair due to water intrusion the adhesive seal may be failing. Leaving little alternative to window removal and reseal.

 

[Mrbill]

There's no water damage. I'm just a bit of a perfectionist. I may look into working on it from th inside.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. Mr. "I'm just a bit of a perfectionist." I am as well, so if one perfectionist can give another perfectionist a bit of advice, "Don't fix it until it is broke".
ie: You may cause more problems than what it's worth.

 

[Shrew]

Getting out the glued in window may be a real problem depending on what they used as an adhesive. You might even end up damaging the window frame and they may no longer be available.

Yep

Greetings,
Mr. Mr. "I'm just a bit of a perfectionist." I am as well, so if one perfectionist can give another perfectionist a bit of advice, "Don't fix it until it is broke".
ie: You may cause more problems than what it's worth.

And......yep. At all costs, strive to avoid creating a physical problem in an attempt to fix a cosmetic one.

 

[Shrew]

IMHO the number one cause of things breaking on a boat are repairs and maintenance.

 

[jskinner30PII]

I agree with last three. I have learned that lesson the hard way.

 

[rgano]

I can agree with don't fix until broken, to some extent. With my old wooden Grand Banks I approached every repair as if I was going to break something and make the situation worse. If the "worse" was going to be more than I wanted to deal with or have professionally redone (never happened in 29 years of ownership), I'd back down and figure out a plan B, and that seldom ever happened either. I tend to be a little more circumspect with the fiberglass Pilot of mine because I know I am not and never will be a fiberglass repairman nor a repainting specialist like the one who for a couple grand recently worked some real magic on my red hull.

 

[Mrbill]

I did a little research, found flat black vinyl automotive wrap. (Cheep and eazy). Here's before and after.

 

[rgano]

Can you add a little explanation here? The window is no longer transparent and thus not a window anymore? That solved the laminate problem how? What happens when summer sun heats that up - cracked glass maybe?

 

[Mrbill]

First off, I didn't cover the hole window just up 11" enough to cover up Mainships screwup. See Mainship placed a piece of Cherry laminate on the outside of the shower where it was exposed to the lower part of the window looked ok at the boat shows but over time the sun starts to break down the laminate and starts to look poorly.
I doubt the window will get hot enough to cause damage. The material used is the same used to wrap automobiles. If after living with it I don't like it no harm no fowl, just remove it with a hair dryer.
After discussing removing the window with the fine people of this forum it was pretty much anonymous not to remove the window if it wasn't leaking or broke to repair it on the inside.

 

[rgano]

Thanks. I read back through the thread, but I just could not understand what was happening. NOW I get it, and that was clever of you!