Suggestion p[lease: waterproof tape for leaky windows?

[NealB]

Our old Seamaster really needs to have her windows out, refurbished, and resealed.

That's not going to happen till next year.

In the meantime, I wonder if there's a tape I could put on the outside, to stop the worst of the leaks?

Ideally, something that will do the job (of course), but be reasonably clean and easy to remove next spring.

 

[garvellachs]

There is 50mm waterproof clear tape from the likes of B and Q that does what it says on the tin; but I haven't left it on long term. Gaffer tape is good for proofing things if put on dry, but it leaves a residue that takes effort to remove (with WD40 or meths or similar).

 

[Alpha22]

The better the gaffa tape, the harder the residue is to remove.....!!! It can take hours!!!

The best stuff to look for is PVC tape. Like insulating tape, but as wide as gaffa.

 

[prv]

When we had water getting into the cowl of an outboard, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Gorilla Tape stuck to it readily despite being applied with wet hands in a wet boat to a wet and salty surface which had been roughly "dried" with a damp cloth. Definitely a cut above your normal grade of gaffer tape, and I don't even remember it leaving much of a residue.

Pete

 

[Sarnia]

Captain Tolley's

 

[emkay]

I'm in exactly the same situation, an even have through cracks in the window. I tried clear gorilla tape a few weeks ago. It works a treat, is almost invisible and has survived a good blasting with a pressure washer. Works for me, until I get time to properly fix.....


The solution for almost any repair. Sticks to smooth, rough and uneven surfaces. All the features of Gorilla Tape in a weatherproof, airtight, crystal clear version. Fix, patch, seal, hold and protect almost any surface with a crystal clear appearance. Weatherproof - water, UV and temperature resistant.

 

[NealB]

I'm in exactly the same situation, an even have through cracks in the window. I tried clear gorilla tape a few weeks ago. It works a treat, is almost invisible and has survived a good blasting with a pressure washer. Works for me, until I get time to properly fix.....

View attachment 54066
The solution for almost any repair. Sticks to smooth, rough and uneven surfaces. All the features of Gorilla Tape in a weatherproof, airtight, crystal clear version. Fix, patch, seal, hold and protect almost any surface with a crystal clear appearance. Weatherproof - water, UV and temperature resistant.

Have you tried removing an yet? A quick google suggests that the residue can be very tenacious.

 

[NealB]

Captain Tolley's

The gaps between the outer and inner frames on the escape hatch are rather beyond Cap'n Tolley's, I fear!

 

[ripvan1]

Have you tried removing an yet? A quick google suggests that the residue can be very tenacious.

Hairdrier should do it.

 

[prv]

Have you tried removing an yet? A quick google suggests that the residue can be very tenacious.

Dunno about the clear kind, but the black stuff on our outboard was no problem at all. Until I fitted a new seal, we were applying and removing tape to the cowling joint each time we went out, and it always peeled off fine.

Pete

 

[jellidreamer]

Our old Seamaster really needs to have her windows out, refurbished, and resealed.

That's not going to happen till next year.

In the meantime, I wonder if there's a tape I could put on the outside, to stop the worst of the leaks?

Ideally, something that will do the job (of course), but be reasonably clean and easy to remove next spring.

Use waterproof butyl tape,totallly waterproof and easy to remove. The stuff is so good you will never use any silicone again. Does not have a shelf life. Its so good you will keep the old windows. Hope this helps.

 

[Alpha22]

The stuff I used took longer to get off than the whole job of removing and re-sealing the windows!!!!!

Only time will tell..... but don't be surprised, if in a few months, the residue does not just wipe off. I tried everything on mine.... every kind of thinners and solvent..... ended up removing it mechanically..... its still took many hours.

I would think very carefully before leaving any kind of tape on my boat outside for any length of time.......

 

[LadyInBed]

I wouldn't use tape, I use roof gutter sealant.
Butyl based, waterproof, easily cleaned off with petrol, not hard setting.
Perfect for the job.