Portlights stuck to rubber gasket - how to lubricate?

[gonesail]

i put some silicon grease on mine and was amazed. they seal better than ever and after a month of being closed they opened up with no problem. before I had to use a screwdriver

[Secondshift]

Cleaned and then applied plumbers silicone seal grease just before our last hurricane. Still doing well. Interested in the lanoline though as a rejuvenator.

[stewy]

Silicone spray. Works very well.

[ttex]

I have used silicone grease on every gasket I have ever touched when repairing pool equipment for customers.

It works better than anything else.

[CaptTom]

Good news so far from the 303 protectant. Two days closed tight and the offending portlights opened right up, no effort, no screwdriver or Leatherman required.

If they ever get stuck again I'm going with silicone grease next.

Thanks all who replied!!!

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Originally Posted by ozsailer

As part of our general maintenance routine I use Lanolin Grease. Natural product that I use to rub into all rubbers seals. We had issues on our old boat, a lagoon 410 where every hatch was leaking. An old maintenance guy told me about lanolin grease which when rubbed into ther rubber tends to rejuvenate rubber and make it more supple. After the applciation on the old boat we got rid of over 90% of the leaks, after a second application a month later we had no more issues. Following that we rub the grease in once every six months. Easy job and it takes little time to do the job. Just make sure you clean the area with warm soapy water and apply when dry. I now use the Lanolin grease on our new 440 just to keep the rubber supple.


Greg H
Lagoon 440
Oz

Greg - would Lanacote be the same as the Lanolin you are talking about here?

[CaptTom]

Update about 303 protectant: No good. The portlight covers still stick to the rubber, although with some effort I can pry them off with my fingers, not a crowbar.

So, I'm now giving white lithium grease a try. I put it on last night, and I'll leave that one closed and tightened for a few days then report back.

I'm still not really sure where to buy lanolin. Probably on Amazon like everything else. Maybe the grease will do the trick and I won't have to go searching.

[newhaul]

Silicone grease apply a thin layer and allow it to sit for an hour then lightly remove the excess with a clean rag . Its what we did forever in the navy on watertight hatches .

[Rough Magic]

+1 on the silicone grease. Buy at any good dive shop. Or Amazon.

[Tugwit]

Originally Posted by CaptTom

Update about 303 protectant: No good. The portlight covers still stick to the rubber, although with some effort I can pry them off with my fingers, not a crowbar.

So, I'm now giving white lithium grease a try. I put it on last night, and I'll leave that one closed and tightened for a few days then report back.

I'm still not really sure where to buy lanolin. Probably on Amazon like everything else. Maybe the grease will do the trick and I won't have to go searching.

I use 303 protectant on the rubber seals around the portlights primarily as a hedge against UV degradation from sunlight. (It's also good on automotive vinyls exposed to the sun.) However, it is not primarily a lubricant.

The problem with silicone is that it is persistent and difficult to remove if/when adjacent areas (e.g. the cabin top gelcoat) needs waxing or refinishing. And you certainly wouldn't want any overspray on your decks.

I'd second the recommendation of a lanolin-based lubricant. Lanocote (a Forespar product) is readily available at marine supply stores (e.g. Fisheries Supply). Lanolin is actually a natural wax, not a grease, and should minimize the possibility of a petroleum-based lubricant harming natural rubber.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Tugwit

I use 303 protectant on the rubber seals around the portlights primarily as a hedge against UV degradation from sunlight. (It's also good on automotive vinyls exposed to the sun.) However, it is not primarily a lubricant.

The problem with silicone is that it is persistent and difficult to remove if/when adjacent areas (e.g. the cabin top gelcoat) needs waxing or refinishing. And you certainly wouldn't want any overspray on your decks.

I'd second the recommendation of a lanolin-based lubricant. Lanocote (a Forespar product) is readily available at marine supply stores (e.g. Fisheries Supply). Lanolin is actually a natural wax, not a grease, and should minimize the possibility of a petroleum-based lubricant harming natural rubber.

I'm a big fan of lanolin and use it for a lot of things, but dont use it there, it degrades from the sun getting crusty and stays sticky.
Silicone lube is available in a tube non spray.

[Rough Magic]

Silicone oil (without trying to be rude) is available in the 'personal' section of any large drugstore, as well. Non-spray.

[ttex]

I misspoke. The stuff I use is called Magic Lube and it is TEFLON based not silicone based.

I highly recommend it for gaskets. Just a dab will do ya.

https://www.amazon.com/TEFLON-LUBRIC...5025591&sr=8-3

[Rough Magic]

Magic Lube is used for sealing pool pumps and filters. I recommend as well. Use a thin coat. Also will keep anything else from sticking.

[Scubaseas]

"Super Lube" is PTFE based and available at Lowe's, Home Depot, Ace Hardware. West Marine. etc. Also works fine. Lanolin will work but it also smells like lamb shanks. Do not use a petroleum base grease as it will swell the rubber.