Cracked plexiglass window

[kevinhegeman]

Please recommend something to fill the chips and cracks in a plexiglass window. I read that epoxy will not bond. Maybe some sort of clear adhesive. Thanks.

[Sailmonkey]

Here’s a quick link that shows what bonds

https://www.permabond.com/materials_...-bond-acrylic/

However if you’re wanting to fill holes you’ll need something clear and UV stable. That’s a tall order.

Though if it’s just surface crazing from exposure, you can polish the lens

[JimsCAL]

I would try one of the kits for car windshields from the auto parts store.

Or just replace the plexiglass.

[kevinhegeman]

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

I would try one of the kits for car windshields from the auto parts store.

Or just replace the plexiglass.

That would work on glass, but probably not on plexi. Replacing the full glass is going to be pretty expensive

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by kevinhegeman

That would work on glass, but probably not on plexi. Replacing the full glass is going to be pretty expensive

The cars have polycarbonate lenses.

Replacing plexiglass will differ on where in the world you are. In the US it’s affordable enough to just replace it.

[kevinhegeman]

Thankyou. I'll check it out

[Jammer]

I have acrylic (plexiglass) windows in my H26. Getting anything to bond and stay that way is a problem. The factory adhesive is failing and I've been removing, cleaning up, and replacing the plexiglass one piece at a time. There are a few specific silicone adhesives that are supposed to work best, but they are not clear.


While on the last window I did, I "saved" the original plexiglass and just replaced the caulk, I won't try that again as it was extra work and there was some inevitable crazing from the handling. If you can provide the old window as a pattern it is affordable and straightforward to get a plastic place to duplicate it including any curves, bevels, tint, etc., I would have paid probably $150 for a 60" long window. Would have been worth it.


My advice, if you have cracks and chips, would be to either live with them or replace the plastic.

[kevinhegeman]

It's looks like it's not that easy to remove the glass, but I'll take a closer look at it.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to help.

[chris mac]

Our windows were cracked and crazed, leaks everywhere, when we bought it. It took 2 years to find someone able and willing to make us new ones(for a reasonable price)
Ours curve left to right,and up/down.
We also replaced some flat window and hatches.
The company is in saint Augustine Florida, called Gustafsson plastics.
New, clean, see thru windows makes a huge difference!

[kevinhegeman]

Beautiful. Looks like a very difficult fabrication.
Mine is relatively small and flat.

[chris mac]

Originally Posted by kevinhegeman

Beautiful. Looks like a very difficult fabrication.
Mine is relatively small and flat.

Small and flat will be fairly reasonable price wise to replace.
I couldnt get the cracked windows to stop leaking more than a month or 2 at a time.
You mentioned earlier yours would be hard to remove, could you post a pic?

[kevinhegeman]

Yes. As soon as I can get back to the boat

[BAD ORCA]

Weld-On 40 or 42 will fill in chips and cracks in plexi but you have to sand and polish it out after it cures. The cracks have to be opened up though to get it into them. Its too thick to flow between a tight crack. Its a clear acrylic resin. Unfortunately its pretty thin, similar to polyester resins so not easy to use unless the windows are on a flat surface. If your going to go through all the trouble to remove them though it would probably be better to just replace them instead. The chips and cracks mean its probably at the end of its lifespan anyways.

[kevinhegeman]

This is it. The damage is not even in the look thru. Can not see it from inside the boat.

[JPA Cate]

The clearance hole for the fastener was too tight. You can take a very small drill bit and drill at the ends of the cracks to stop them spreading. Fill the holes with silicon seal. Will keep out water.

Or, replace the whole port. The acrylic expands 25% more than the s/s, so you really need large clearance holes.

Ann