I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

[Vincentc]

I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

I was re-installing the last cabin window this morning and discovered water leaking out of the stb aft fixed glass window. I went ahead and removed the glass from the frame and just discovered that I cannot find the keeper shims I purchased from Sams two years ago with the other window installation parts. The shims are thin pvc material about 1/16" thick and 3/4" wide
Any suggestions on a substitue material that I could find on a Saturday afternoon would be most appreciated. I really want to put that windwow back in Today.
Thanks,
Vincent

 

[rsmith]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

autobody bondo squeeges

 

[Vincentc]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

Sounds perfect,
Thanks

 

[Tim Powell]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

autobody bondo squeeges

Thats what you call Hatteras afro engineering at its best way to go Smitty. That gets you a attaboy takes two awshaws to cancel a attaboy.That is not exactely the way my dad put it. Tim

 

[Vincentc]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

I had a couple of squegees in the garage, cut them to 4" lengths and ripped them to 1" widths. I went back down to the boat and discovered that you have to utilize the taper and will only get one shim per squegee, and need to be careful of the thickness for the leading edge of the shim.

Since the frame is out of the boat and laying horizontal, I put in the adhesive foam and butyl tape. I then ran a bead of 3M 4200 around the outer edge of the glass filling that gap between the glass and the frame.

That step used up my available boat work time for the day, so the window frame is sitting there on a couple of saw horses.

Considering how difficult it was to originally remove the glass from the frame after I had cut the keepers, I am now wondering if the keepers are really necessary. The original butyl and polysulfide was plenty strong, and the 4200 should be a little more adhesive still.

Wonder if it is ok to skip the ships and I should use the time it takes to go to the auto parts store and cut the shims on other boat work?

Regards,
Vincent

 

[rsmith]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

Probably be ok. but I'm sure it will be on your mind the next time your pounding away in a
couple-3' head sea.

 

[Trojan]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

Window blinds 1 inch wide 24+ long. Made of plastic. Cut and stack anyway you want.

BILL

 

[Vincentc]

Re: I have put myself in a jam. Is there a substitute for the window "keeper shim"

Rain was in the forecast, we have a wedding coming in 2 weeks and time is short. The fit on the shims is important and would take me more time to get right than I thougt I had Sunday. Since it is a relatively small side window, and should not get a lot forces from a head sea, I went without the shims.

Like most boat projects it still took longer than expected and it was almost six when I finished with the window and a couple of other smaller boat projects.

The rain came and so far, no leaks and everything seems sturdy.

Thanks for the advice,
Vincent