Perspex window replacement, and perspex washboards.

Discussions related to the general maintenance of Swifts i.e. GRP repairs, headlings etc
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ianandtracey
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Location: stoke on trent

Perspex window replacement, and perspex washboards.

Post by ianandtracey » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:56 am

Whilst pulling out the headlining ready for renewing, I found the vinyl material overlaps to the outside of the windows and acts as a sort of gasket for the perspex windows???? No wonder they were leaking.
So cleaned it all off both sides and the plan is to replace the windows. Im finding that it would cost me about £250 to buy the tinted sheets for windows and washboards.. Not cheap at all.
We went to malvern boat jumble last weekend an one guy there does replacement boat windows and hatches. He had some offcuts of perspex exactly as i needed and I got 10mm tinted for washboards and also 5mm tinted for windows. £70 all in.
Granted Ive had to cut them but its not that difficult. Used a jigsaw with a clean cut blade but watch the up-cut, it makes small chips on the edges but with a belt sander at an angle, these chips come out when you put the edging champher on. Finish with a piece of fine wet and dry paper and theyre as good as the originals. Ive put the holes in different places to go into new fibreglass.
The guy says he goes to most of the southern jumbles and i dont know of his prices for ready made windows. I have my old windows as templates if it helps.

P A Muller
Replacement boat windows and Hatch panels.
6 Aspley Place,
North Millers Dale,
Chandlers Ford,
Eastleigh,
SO53 1TE
Tel; 02380 260296
Mob; 07778 563918
Last edited by ianandtracey on Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

Peter and Nick
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Post by Peter and Nick » Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:00 pm

Hi Folks
Sounds good, we also cut new windows from perspex sheets but not tinted.
Make sure you use cheese head stainless screws to fix as the countersunks are what cause the problems with cracking leading to leaks. We had a problem getting the headlining to fit back,that is if you have the original lining.Had to resort to some cream gaffer tape but looks ok as long as it will stay on

cheers

Peter
Sorry forgot we bought rubber strip to seal round the windows and used waterproof mastik.Seems OK to date.Also put de-humidifier bags in buckets during the winter to keep the damp down stops mould growing on the headling.

ianandtracey
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Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: stoke on trent

Perspex windows and washboards.

Post by ianandtracey » Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:41 pm

Thanks for the tips,
any ideas of where in stoke might do 316 stainless screw or bolts?
only thing I can think is FWB but not sure.
I also have all the headlining out at the mo. God what a job.
Have cleaned/sanded off the old residue from everywhere(already killed a new vax hoover with the dust). luckily most of roof was vinyl onto 4 or 6mm ply and screwed to battens so that will go back ok.
Biggest problems gonna be hull,deck and coachroof sides. gonna try battens stuck with epoxy and then vinyl stuck to ply for hull sides and under deck, but the curve up the coachroof to the roof is gonna have to be straight glued. Not looking forward to that job.
Think Ive found a supplier for the vinyl material on an ebay shop in manchester. going up on sunday with a sample to see if its any good. seen prices of £25-30 per square yard/metre elsewhere and this guy has 5 metre rolls for £40?
I dont hold out much hope of it being quality but will find out shortly. worth a look.
Adhesive;
Have found 'GB PRO' advanced polymer from company called bond-it in local specialist building place. claims to bond anything to anything even underwater. joint is moveable for 5 mins, odourless, solvent free, wont harm foam. have spoken to tech people there and they say yes go ahead. Sounds too good to be true!!!!!!
God i hope my feeling is wrong.
Suppose ill be the tester and let everyone know.

Watch this space eh ?

PeterRoach
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Headlining join to windows

Post by PeterRoach » Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:12 pm

When I bought my Swift last year I found the head-lining not fixed to the edge of the windows - it's loose, and looks untidy. I think it needs some plastic or rubber edging strip, but does anyone know what sort this should be? I'm assuming flat strip like draught excluder wouldn't fit, so I need some sort of angled edge. Would be grateful for advice.

ianandtracey
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Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: stoke on trent

windows

Post by ianandtracey » Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:36 am

Peter,
Weve just had weeks of contemplating the same problem.
The whole boats lining was falling off and damp/mouldy so i ripped it all off. the fibreglass was then totyally cleaned. Horrible job with mask etc and sander. I bought a 10m roll of new fabric for the whole boat from a contact in manchester(also can courier). cost me about £100 in total.
The curved part of the coachroof from the 'ceiling' down over the windows and the curve under deck to the edge of the hull, we stuck new fabric directly onto the fibreglass. the rest i have made 6mm panels to fit and then stuck fabric to them. epoxy some battens in various places and then screwed the panels to the battens.

The part around the windows was a compromise which worked out well in the end.
I researched and visited many places for rubber trim of all types but nothing was all that good, the problem is the tight angled corners splays the rubber out. I even thought about 2 sets of perspex windows, one outside and one inside and bolt the two together.

I also tried an inch wide metal or wood trim around the edge but not a great option.

I have eventually gone for the manufacturers way. new fabric all over but carefully bend it over the fibreglass window edge, peel off the foam backing and stick about 1/4 inch of the vinyl to the outside edge of the window. The perspex can still be sealed with sikaflex over the top.
The result looks very good.

Its a messy job but i would definitely recommend putting new fabric on. it makes such a difference to the internal appearance.

Hope it helps.

Ian and Tracey.-

ianandtracey
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Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 4:24 pm
Location: stoke on trent

headling adhesive

Post by ianandtracey » Mon May 20, 2013 7:44 pm

Just a small footnote about the adhesive called GB-Pro.
Absolutely brilliant stuff.
Totally recommended.

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