Port windows seal

skennelly

I want to seal all of my port windows this Spring.  People on here have said they have done it from the outside.  Now I know it's not the same as removing the window and doing it, but I'm looking for an easier way out and hopefully solve the water issue's I've had in past summers.

Any thoughts from those that have done it?  Details would be appreciated.

reneechris14

I also plan this as a spring project. Boat is in my back yard so I plan on removing cleaning and reinstalling. I seams to me the leak is right around the chrome ring so if you just filled that area maybe.

Black_Diamond

I’ve posted how to do this on here. Do a search. Save you lots of trouble. 

Dream_Inn

I am doing mine on the outside this spring around the chrome ring.  I helped another Rinker owner last year do the same thing.  You can see the caulking around that ring on the outside wear away.  Remove the old and just put some new in.  It's the first project I'm doing this spring.

goalie59

I did it the same way a couple of years ago and although it's not as good as Black Diamonds it has stood up pretty well. Just make sure you mask off the area and I used the clear sealer. 

Willhound

Did mine last year. No big deal to pull the 6 or so screws on the inside, carefully pry the chrome ring away from the hull and re-seal with 3M 4200. Wipe off excess and reset screws. Did all four in less than an hour. You do need to loosen them off to do a proper job though.

skennelly

@Willhound - I removed the window by the cabin sink 2 seasons ago and resealed it and in doing so kind of damaged the vinyl on the cabin wall.  The window was glued to it pretty badly.  I'm trying to avoid doing anymore damage.  That's why I want to attempt it from the outside.

Willhound

Ahh. I see. Mine didn't have any glue or sealant on the inside so was easy in my situation. 

Dream_Inn

None of mine are leaking, but the sealant around the inside of the chrome ring on the outside has definitely slimmed down.  So, it's more preventive and easy to just redo that without taking it all off.  No leaks, so I don't want to cause one either.

skennelly

@Dream_Inn - What about around the perimeter of chrome ring where it meets the fiberglass any sealant around there?

Black_Diamond

I can speak for mine: there was little to no caulk inside the SS trim ring. You could caulk from the outside, just a matter of how well it stays on. 

IMO the only sure way is to pull the whole assy and caulk correctly at assembly. Just my .02. 

skennelly

totally agree...but if I damage the cabin wall again nobody will hear from me again.

Dream_Inn

BD, I completely agree.  But I'll add that I've seen a couple times where inside the chrome ring has slimmed down to nothing and then water has came in there.  Was an easy fix just to clean out whatever is left and reseal that part.  I'm not saying it is the absolutely best way to do it (which I know we all like to do it right when possible).  For me, I don't have any leaks, but it has thinned out in that area and I plan to put some 3M 4000 in there.  

@Skennelly - if yours is thinning there, it may fix it for you without taking it all apart.  You could also look on the outer part where it meets the fiberglass to see how that caulking looks.