Dehler 31 Heads Porthole Stuck like S**t to a Blanket

[Hornet_UK]

Hi All,

I have been trying to replace the window in the Heads Porthole on my Dehler 31 on and off for 4 years now. The window itself is made up of 2 discs which are hinged by 2 pins either side of one of the disks, so it opens on it axis. To fit the new window I have to remove the aluminium porthole frame which is stuck on the outside of the Bulkhead next to the hatchway. I think it has been stuck on with Sika something but I have tried to push out the fram from the inside but it just wont budge, I even gave it a friendly tap with a hammer and still no joy. The Porthold frame has a flange on the outside and the Sika Something is under it. Anyone got any ideas on how I can get thing out without damaging the gel coat on the outside of the bulkhead?

 

[causeway]

Could you use a blade to trim behind or as close to the frame as possible? Then if it's going to lift any gel coat it will be behind the frame only?

 

[simonfraser]

recon you are going to have to get brutal with the porthole and cut it, angle grinder / saw.
then split it and lever it out, wood backing on the surrounding plastic, messy.

 

[Hornet_UK]

recon you are going to have to get brutal with the porthole and cut it, angle grinder / saw.
then split it and lever it out, wood backing on the surrounding plastic, messy.

Normally I would agree however I need to keep the Porthole intact!

 

[ghostlymoron]

Could you use a hacksaw blade under the frame to cut through the sika? Are there any fixings holding the frame to the boat?

 

[mtb]

a car wind screen removal tool might help as you can pull on the handle

 

[VicS]

Normally I would agree however I need to keep the Porthole intact!

You dont say why you are trying to remove it or how important it is to remove it.

Presumably it is one of those with a seal that is squashed between the two discs and that you now need to renew the seal.

Maybe several thin wedges pushed slowly but firmly under the flange. Get a bit of a gap started and perhaps the winter weather will do the job for you.

If it is stuck as firmly as you suggest you may have to destroy it and replace the whole thing with something better.

 

[Hornet_UK]

You dont say why you are trying to remove it or how important it is to remove it.

Presumably it is one of those with a seal that is squashed between the two discs and that you now need to renew the seal.

Maybe several thin wedges pushed slowly but firmly under the flange. Get a bit of a gap started and perhaps the winter weather will do the job for you.

If it is stuck as firmly as you suggest you may have to destroy it and replace the whole thing with something better.

Correct it is the one with the seal squashed between 2 disks, you sond like you have had some previous experience?

I think I'll try the thin wedges approach first.

 

[VicS]

Correct it is the one with the seal squashed between 2 disks, you sond like you have had some previous experience?

I think I'll try the thin wedges approach first.

They were offered as an optional extra for my boat ... but to be mounted in the sloping cabin front. I'd heard they could be troublesome, and a leak in that location would indeed have been a PITA. I did not fit one.

There is now a solar panel on the cabin front ..... good use of the space not used by the porthole..

Whenever questions arise through the OA about refurbing the porthole I suggest doing away with it and using the space for a small solar panel. Not applicable in your case I realise.

 

[alahol2]

Cheesewire round the frame to cut the bulk of the mastic?

 

[Hornet_UK]

Cheesewire round the frame to cut the bulk of the mastic?

Bloody good idea!:encouragement:

 

[cliff]

Cheesewire round the frame to cut the bulk of the mastic?

Bloody good idea!:encouragement:

Or.... one of the multi tools (Fein, Bosch, Adli's own) fitted with a thin, flexible scraper blade. Apply some oil to the blade and work it gently between the frame and the hull - bit by bit. The oil stops the blade sticking to the mastic

 

[captainboo]

I used one of these to remove some of my windows that had been 'sealed' in! It has an extremely thin blade that goes all the way through the handle that allows you to carefully tap it into the joint to break the seal. I ground one of the corners off to stop it digging into the frame.

http://www.diy.com/nav/decor/decora...le-Filling-Knife-37mm-12599244?skuId=13119950

 

[Hornet_UK]

Hi All,

Thanks for all your great ideas I have quite a few non-destructive options to try now and hopefully one of them will sort it! I'll post back on here once I have done it so at leats there is some form of reference for someone in the future.

 

[Hornet_UK]

All sorted!

In the end I used the filling knife as suggested by captainboo, it was thin enough to slide around the Porthole and cut the sealant. After that a bit of brute force and we and a mate managed to pull the thing out. Replacing the pins that hold the window in the frame were another PITA, they are made of brass so they have to be drilled out with a small drill bit.