Temporary Window Sealant

[Scarron]

I am about to put the boat in the water for the rest of the season and need to mastic around the cabin windows [glass in aluminium frames, some sliders] as I know they leak pretty badly. Next winters job, one of many, is to pull the windows out and get them professionally refurbished before refitting them into the boat, having painted the cabin sides whilst they are out.

So... What should I use to mastic around them?

I am wary of;-

Polyurethane Sealants [Sikaflex] - too bloody sticky and a bugger to get off, more of an adhesive really, I only want to keep the rain/spray out.

Silicone - again difficult to remove, would leave traces on the cabin which could really upset the subsequent re-painting process.

Any ideas? ideally a black masticky type stuff which skins, but stays flexible, waterproof and can definitely be cleaned off without a trace with thinners etc. before painting.


Many thanks

Paul.

 

[Evadne]

Would it be possible to use old-fashioned putty? Otherwise if you're looking for something that's waterproof, sticks well but is easy to remove and leaves no residue, I think you'll be looking for a long time.

 

[2Tizwoz]

Putty? As a temporary seal.

Provided the frames have a good mechanical fix which is independent of the adhesive qualities of the sealant.

The above is available online from Reddiseals

 

[andrew215]

believe there is 5200 which is "removable", never used it, but have seen it,,,

 

[chas]

I have an aerosol of mastic for fixing leaks in roofs. I cannot remember what it is called and it is in the boat at the moment! It sprays out a brown goo, which is not too bad as the excess can be wiped off. It seems quite effective and it has held window leaks at bay for 2 yrs on my boat. Came from B&Q.

 

[RMA]

Just a thought, but you could try ‘Captain Tolly’s Creeping Crack Cure’. I had a window which was leaking quite badly and this more or less stopped it. That was about 2 months ago and it is still working, although obviously I can’t say for how much longer. It’s certainly a lot easier and less messy than trying to reseal the window without taking it out and rebedding it, just pour it into the joint until it sits on the top.

 

[PCUK]

You need 'All weather sealant' available from builders merchants. Can be applied in the wet, low adhesive properties, but guaranteed flexible for 30 years.
Elasto-Seal is one proprietary make.

 

[Guest]

One window in desperation I used Non-Solvent Impact adhesive .... worked a treat ...... I just ran a bead round the window on the rubber and it sank into the cracks ....
Another I did with normal Evo-Stik solvent type ... same ... no problem.

4 yrs later I just found a slight drip from the non-solvent applied frame ... so I know whats going to be filleted around again !!

I used to use Car Windscreen sealer ... but noted the vapours were solvents and ingredients listed near same as normal impact adhesive.

 

[JasB]

Roof and gutter sealant, filthy stuff, but waterproof, skins in 48 hours (supposedly) and washes off with white spirit?