1. Remove the mechanical blue lock inside the handle using a paperclip
2. Remove screws holding the handles
* Save plastic shims or washers, to further compress the aging seals the shims are often removed
3. Remove and Friction Hinges, there are a series of specialized washers and a tensioning screw
4. Clean aluminum corrosion on hinge with a wire brush
5. Take the hatch lid off the boat and cover the cabin opening with plastic sheeting
6. Use an oscillating multi-tool or a sharp blade to cut through the old sealant underneath the acrylic.
7. Gently pry the old acrylic
8. Scrape out every last bit of old bedding compound from the frame groove using plastic scrapers and razor blades
9. Wipe the entire area clean with acetone, the frame must be bone-dry and oil-free
10. Run blue painter’s tape along the frame (inside and outside) and the edge of the new acrylic (inside and outside)
11. Gebo frames are built with a deep perimeter groove that require a two-step process, base glue: Lay down an initial continuous bead of Dow Corning 795 structural silicone in the bottom of the frame channel
12. Insert the acrylic
13. Use small tile grout spacers or foam scraps underneath and around the edges
14. Let base cure overnight
15. Once the acrylic adhesive is cure, fill the remaining perimeter frame to acrylic gap flush to the top with a final layer of silicone
16. Use a soapy finger to smooth it flat, creating a flush, professional-looking water-shedding bead
17. Pull the tape immediately.
18. Coat the hinge pins with a layer of synthetic silicone grease
19. Assemble the hatch to the hinge
20. Install the handles
No Comments