Cleaned up Typhoon portlights

[Ben Miller]

Portlights? Deadlights? Portholes? Searching the forum for info on these items is hard because I'm never sure what they're supposed to be called... Anyhow, the ones in my Typhoon badly needed some attention, so last weekend I gave them some. They came out easily and cleaned up well. The lenses really need to be replaced, or given a serious polishing, but a good cleaning and some Plexus made them almost transparent. I popped them back in with some fresh caulk and feel much better about their appearance and water-tightness.

One thing I found interesting is that I've always read that the Typhoon came from the factory with plastic portlights, but mine are chromed metal. Maybe some prior owner replaced them? The major component has an outer trim ring and flange. The lens fits inside, with a very dried-out gasket, and then an inner trim ring screws inside the housing to hold in the lens.

[Joe CD MS 300]

I replaced the original portlights with bronze ports from Bristol Bronze. I thought the originals were plastic as they were pretty light. May have to take a second look. Maybe they are chromed aluminum. Was trying to figure out a use for them somewhere. Yours did clean up pretty well.

BTW what were you planning on bedding them with when you do the reinstall? I'd recommend grey buytal tape.

[Ben Miller]

I already put them in place, using Life Calk. Maybe the wrong thing?

These definitely aren't aluminum. I'm not sure what's under the chrome plating, but they feel too heavy to be aluminum.

[Joe CD MS 300]

There is more than one way to skin a cat. The buytal stays flexible. I'm sure the Life caulk works. Just not 3M 5200.