Removing Portlights

Max Simmons · 05-24-2011, 09:59 AM

I am planning on removing 4 portlights around the v-berth and head.* started to get into it last weekend, removed trim pieces and thought I could easily pop out the portlight.* Wrong!* They were installed with 5200 or similar material and stuck in good.* I am concerned about damaging the interior Teak so want to remove gingerly.* Suggestions?* I was wondering if a heat gun may loosen it up?* May also try sawzall around frame and take it out in pieces?*

Delfin · 05-24-2011, 10:33 AM

Heat and patience will help, but I am told this works:

http://www.bluecoraltowers.com/ACCES...ve-remover.htm

West Marine sells it.

-- Edited by Delfin on Tuesday 24th of May 2011 11:35:37 AM

jleonard · 05-24-2011, 10:57 AM

A thin sharpened putty knife and a little patience and you can cut thru the sealant and not destroy anything. *. WD 40 also helps.

dwhatty · 05-24-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

jleonard wrote:
A thin sharpened putty knife and a little patience and you can cut thru the sealant and not destroy anything. *. WD 40 also helps.

*And heat the putty knife well with your heat gun as you go along. I've had good results doing this in breaking epoxy joints. At least worth a try.

FF · 05-26-2011, 02:39 AM

Time and pressure work best.

A couple of items , chisels , whatever, pushed in to create force in the removal direction and time for the goop to give up will usually do it.

DO NOT BE IN A BIG HURRY!

Daddyo · 05-27-2011, 05:39 AM

buy a package of wood shims and Lowes or HD. Drive them in a little at a time all around the frame. Piece of cake. Use a painters 5-1 tool and a heat gun to get the rest off then acetone.

FF · 05-28-2011, 02:57 AM

When you reinstall or replace them IF they are new style the RV shop will have rolls of sealant that are a snap to use.

Otherwise for older style DOLPHINITE , not a glue like 5200 is a far better choice.

IF they were installed with Dolphinite , you probably would not have made the first posting.

Great Laker · 05-29-2011, 05:22 AM

I am preparing to remove plastic ports and replace with stainless steel. I've been told that use of a paring knife and mineral spirits will help loosen the port from the fiberglass.

Tom.B · 06-16-2011, 06:18 AM

Mike, do you have a picture of this process? I have having trouble getting a mental picturing where things go.

Thanks.

Tom.B · 06-16-2011, 11:22 AM

WOW! That's quite a cool way to do it. Thanks.

Max Simmons · 07-11-2012, 04:37 PM

Finally got around to replacing the portlights this last weekend (before battery issued took my attention). Anyway, this is how I ended up removing them and it worked pretty slick. I had a small hydraulic jack sitting around so I set a small timber up on the deck blocked against the outside rail, removed all the screws holding the portlight in, placed a chunk of 2x6 over the opeing and placed the jack between this and the timber. Just a few gentle pumps to put pressure on the portlight. Worked on the inside with a sharp putty knifie went back and forth a few times putting a little more pressure on and within maybe 10 minutes had it out.

And, to my pleasant surprise, the core all looks good.

Forkliftt · 07-11-2012, 06:07 PM

Great approach! Who's port lights did you go with?

Max Simmons · 07-11-2012, 06:18 PM

Beckson rain drains. I've had then sitting here for over a year. If I did it again, I'd go with one of the stainless steel units. Oh well, plastic worked OK for the last 28 years.

Forkliftt · 07-11-2012, 06:57 PM

I'm sure they will be fine. It's on my list as well....

Great Laker · 07-11-2012, 08:25 PM

The issue with the plastic ports that were on my AT is that the plastic expands at a different rate than the siding and it was difficult to get an adhesive that will grab and hold well to both under these conditions. So eventually, they leaked. Several owners removed and re caulked them with the same result.

The port removal was time consuming on the first one until I got the knack. Using a paring knife and mineral spirits, I was able to break the seal between the port and the sidewall and slide them out.

I went with new stainless ports from New found Metals and they have an excellent video on how to do the installation. The butyl calk is easy to work with and makes an excellent seal.

The new ones are gorgeous!

Capn Chuck · 07-12-2012, 05:07 PM

Here's our port replacement project. It was, and experience. The Trawler Beach House: 15 Steps To New Ports On The Boat . Chuck

Trautman · 07-12-2012, 10:15 PM

I had good luck driving cedar shims used to install doors and windows between a hatch frame and the mounting surface. Tap them in, go do something else for a while, and tap them in more. The cedar won't hurt your gelcoat. Worked well on two large hatches and six ports bedded with something like 5200.

Randy (1st post)