Replacing crazed hatches - best strategy/price?

[mkii]

Hi,

These are Lewmar hatches, about 12" x 14", and the frames seem to be in acceptable shape.



What is the best strategy for replacing this crazed glass?

Can it be done with the hatches left in place?

Source for the replacement glass?

What should it cost per hatch?

Thanks very much for your experience and opinions,

[jdazey]

I don't have the answers, but I have a whole lot of hatches that could use some attention.

Cheers,

[Stu Jackson]

Google Select Plastics, they do this all the time.

[Cheechako]

How badly crazed? cracks or just a lot of scratching? There are places that polish windows to be as new. That's how aircraft windows are renewed.

[paxfish]

As interest, Guys, polycarbonates don't like many varieties of soaps/bleach. Strong soaps like DAWN really accelerate failure.

Crazing can be one result. Car wash soap is acceptable (headlights are polycarbonate these days.) Polycarbonate does like polishing and waxing.

[a64pilot]

Once you replace them, cover them. I have sunbrella covers for all of mine, I find that most of the time I leave them covered, only uncover them to open them usually.
Anything that contains ammonia, wreaks havoc on at least aircraft windows, and I'm sure boat plastics as well, so no Windex for sure.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by mkii

Hi,

These are Lewmar hatches, about 12" x 14", and the frames seem to be in acceptable shape.



What is the best strategy for replacing this crazed glass?

Can it be done with the hatches left in place?

Source for the replacement glass?

What should it cost per hatch?

Thanks very much for your experience and opinions,

Yes, with the older Lewmar, they can be done in place.

Cut the caulk around the acrylic from the outside.
Remove the screws that hold the latch and hinge below. Remove latch and hinge.
Press from the inside and the acrylic will pop out.
Take acrylic to a glass shop and they can cut new for under $75.
Check gasket and replace if necessary.
Caulk around frame with Dow 795. Push acrylic in place.
Fill remaining gap with Dow.
Attach hinge and latch with new o-rings.
Done.


If you have many to do. Buy a sheet of acrylic and a trim bit for a router. You can cut them yourself easily.

Matt

Sent from my LG-V410 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[GuerrillaCamper]

Just finished rebuilding 3 hatch covers. Sun-baked for 30 years...
Take the hatch apart, measure the thickness, and then find a wholesale plastics distributor in your area and get them cut. Mine were 1/2" Lexan. 2 @ 21x21, 1 @ 24x24, and 1 @ 38x48... Total cost was $291.00