Help With Winshield Glass

ROCKAWAYJOHNNY · #1 01-05-2012, 05:21 PM

I am not exactly new to CSC but I haven't posted much. I would appreciate any help that can be offered. I am in the process of restoring my 77 23 SCEPTRE. I love the boat and decided to do the project over a long period of time...i.e. do some things in march and launch in april...and do the same each year.

So far I have installed a new top, Sanded the entire hull and painted, installed all new canvas and bolsters, updated electronics, etc. I have pics posted in the pics section.

Anyway, I am up to the most annoying (so far) task. Installing new glass in the windshield frame...more specifically the side panels (the long triangular panels on the port and stbd sides)

I took the old panels out and had a glass shop make me new ones out of laminated glass...similar to that found in a car windshield. the new panels are a tad bit thicker than the originals. When I say a tad bit I mean that I cannot even begin to put a measurement to it...less than a 32nd of an inch...maybe a 64th???

I got the specified gasket/stripping from american marine...

I cannot for the life of me get these damn panels in. I am very handy...I completely framed and build my own house.

This is driving me crazy. Sooooooo, I ask all of the powers that be here on CSC if they can shed some light on how to install these glass panels.

Finally, if there is anyone in the Jamaica Bay area that is willing to do it, I will gladly pay...beer and food included.

Thank in advance for any help.

Rockaway Johnny.

Blue_Heron · #2 01-05-2012, 05:42 PM

I'm starting with the assumption that the gasket for your windshield is the same as for the Seafari cabin windows, American Marine TP-139. If not, you can disregard the rest of this post.

Getting the gasket in is tricky. The part that is .444" wedges into the frame and the .672" part lays against the glass. The part of the .444" leg that slides into the frame under the glass (i.e, the bottom part in the picture) has to go in first. You have to really squeeze the base of the .672" leg to get the other end of the .444" leg to lock in.

I hope this is less confusing to read than it was to write.

Dave

Oh, yeah, and you may want to put a thin bead of silicone caulk around the frame before you lay the glass in. The gasket holds the glass in place, but it doesn't seal the window.

shana · #3 01-05-2012, 05:47 PM

had same on my seafari had to use lexan a little is a lot gasket will not fit my glass man could not do it

bigeasy1 · #4 01-06-2012, 12:24 AM

Johnny,I hate to say it,but I think your glass is too thick.
That 1/32" may be just enough to make inserting the gasket almost impossible.If you look at the aluminum frame,there is a lip that the glass edges butts up to.If the glass is too thick and protrudes above that lip,you won't be able to push the weatherstrip in.The backside of the weather strip has to be pushed in so that it go's behind the glass and the aluminum lip which locks it into the frame.

I have a 74 Tsunami and also had a glass shop cut me all new glass.
They used tempered glass (like auto glass that breaks into all little pieces)that is 3/16" thick.
They cut all the glass for the long side panels,and the front windshield and then sent it out to have it tempered.It was about a two week wait.
Safety glass with a a layer of clear plastic in between is too thick.I think you'll find the original glass(and lexan) was 3/16"

The right size glass is very easy,but a little time consuming to install.I found that 2" and 3" stiff putty knifes with the tips rounded off and the edges dulled a bit to work incredibly well.Just lay the weatherstrip on the glass face against the frame and put the putty knife edge under the outer part(the side that shows) of the strip,and against the backside of it,and push it in with the knife blade.Wiggling the blade a bit makes it a little easier.It's very easy to do once you get the hang of it.
Did you try spraying some silicone on the weatherstrip?It may help a bit.

I hate to say it,but I think the glass you have is too thick.Maybe American Marine can recommend another weatherstrip pattern.

The first two pictures show what I got from American Marine to use on all my new glass.The last picture may help you see how it lays flat and actually is a bit concave up against the glass when it's pushed in all the way.(After the backside is pushed all the way in,it is locked in over the inner glass edge and the lip.)

strick · #5 01-12-2012, 10:34 AM

I guess I'm retarded and cant figure out this new web site format. There are a couple of close up pictures that I took in the thred about the 25 seafari that I restored showing how the weather stripping goes in.

I wanted to post the pictures but I cant figure it out.... I cant even find the dam link.

strick

Capt Chuck · #6 01-12-2012, 11:35 AM

Chuck

1. Post Reply
2. scroll down and click manage attachments
3. click browse (your files)
4. uplaod

Does this help?

ROCKAWAYJOHNNY · #7 01-12-2012, 12:58 PM

Thank you for the help...

I used a caliper to measure the difference between the thickness in the old glass and the new glass that i had made. As I thought, the difference is less than a 32nd of an inch. I brought the glass back to the shop that made it. They didn't want to hear what I had to say. I showed them the original glass - from which they measured and used as a template for the new glass - and the difference in thickness and they still basically told me to beat it. So, before I go to a more reputable shop and buy new once again, I decided that I am going to measure how deep the edges of the glass sit in the framing. Then I transfer those dimensions onto the new "oversized" glass. I will use straight edges clamped to the edges and I will sand the edges down to the correct size.

sounds like a lot of work but I paid $435 for the two panels. i might as well try before I toss them out.

Any thoughts?

uncleboo · #8 01-12-2012, 02:50 PM

Seems a good glass company could grind the edges down to your specs. Sorta like when they bevel a mirror. ???

bobbert · #9 01-12-2012, 04:33 PM

Look up Patchougue Plate Glass (631) 721-4754. They are an old fashioned glass shop in , You guessed it, Patchougue Long Island. They should be able to help or steer you in the right direction.

Good Luck

Bobbert

strick · #10 01-13-2012, 10:12 AM

Thanks Chuck. I was trying to up load from my server like I usually do but it would not work for me. The glass on my 25 seafari is about 1/4 inch thick and I had no problems putting in the weather stripping. Here are a couple close ups of how it snaps into place.

strick