Butyl Tape

[casual]

I,need to rebed the glass in my Old Perko Port Lights,I,have read all the post concerning beding mostly refer to Lexan or acrilic? I,have glass all in good shape I,know I,broke one .Is butyl tape a good bedding for glass to frame?
Thanks for the help

[jstevens]

Casual,
I think the suitability of Butyl tape would depend on how the portlights are fixed in the frame. Butyl tape is not an adhesive. It depends on mechanical fastening to make the seal. If the glass is clamped in the frame with bottle screws or some other fastener, then I think it would be a good sealant.
If you haven't been there already, here is a link to Compass Marine, who both recommends and sells Butyl tape.

John

[rhr1956]

I mounted all my cabin top hardware with butyl tape. So far..no leaks. Of course we're having a drought here so...???

[Therapy]

Causual is correct.

And don't forget all Butyl tape is not created equal. Most of it is pretty bad these days.

[Azul]

I just read the how to rebed deck hardware blog in Compass Marine (MaineSailor?,) it is one of the most complete "how to" blogs I have ever read on any subject. I believe in the blog he states that port lights are one place that silicone should be used, but the blog will answer all your questions for sure. I had to laugh when he called 5200 "devil's glue!." At the end of the blog there is a link to order butyl tape, the best kind. After reading the blog I feel the need to pull all of my deck hardware to check to see if it was done the way he recommends.

[DeepFrz]

Azul, Maine Sail has about the best "How To" articles on many boating related subjects. You had better not read them all or you will rip your boat apart...

[casual]

Thanks guy's The Perko lights have a screw down ring which will press against the glass,no movement of the glass once secured.I,have used Butyl on everything elese for years,I;ll give it a go.

[AnchorageGuy]

casual, another option on glass, not quite the same as bedding deck hardware, is Dow Corning 795. I have used it for years to bed both plexi and glass with no problems ever with leaks. this is the same product used to bed windows in skyscrapers. Chuck

[sarafina]

I have been cleaning off the 45 year old butyl off my original portlights for days now... Judging from the condition of it at this point I would say it is, as MaineSail says, and excellent GASKET/SEAL maker. That stuff still has *stick* after all these years!

[roverhi]

Just cleaned up a couple of padeyes that I'd bedded in butyl. Really a bitch to get the stuff off. Found the best thing is soapy water and a stiff brush after scraping the thick buildups off. It may be easy to remove stuff that's bedded in butyl but it's not easy to get the butyl off.

[The Way]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Just cleaned up a couple of padeyes that I'd bedded in butyl. Really a bitch to get the stuff off. Found the best thing is soapy water and a stiff brush after scraping the thick buildups off. It may be easy to remove stuff that's bedded in butyl but it's not easy to get the butyl off.

Remove what you can with a putty knife, then soak in mineral spirits for a while. Then use your stiff brush. I always use acetone for final cleaning before rebedding, as I once read mineral spirits can leave a residue.

Fair winds,
The Way

[Blue Stocking]

Looked up at any 20+ story skyscrapers lately? If they are 30, or less years old, that glass is in on butyl tape, even the the buildings that are structural silicon glazed.

[Jill_Brian]

Been reading all about butyl tape. I need to rebed a winch. Would butyl tape be good for rebedding a winch. Is the regular stresses on a winch make it unique for rebedding material? Or would butyl tape be fine.

The other consideration here is that this particular winch has to be removed for a complete maintenance. So it will probably need to be removed every couple of years