How to Replace Portlight Gaskets

Replacing portlight gaskets is a two man procedure.

Rick's job: removal, scraping, cleaning, cutting, gluing, struggling, straining, groaning, cursing, pushing, heating with hair dryer, calling manufacturer

Cookie's job: tool location, handing, holding, scraping, cleaning, sunlight blocking 

Time required:

Portlight #1     2 and 1/2 hours, including studying manufacturers poor drawings...no directions included

Portlight #2      16 hours counting 12 hours overnight when window doew not close.

Portlight #3.       30 minutes

Portlight #4.       30 minutes

Total Work time:  6 hours

Tools needed:   razor knife, manufacturers glue, small wooden wedge,  small scribe

Advice:

1. Remove old gasket and Clean slot with scribe and fingers

2.  Cut new gasket, slightly longer than old gasket.

3. Insert new gasket into slot, using scribe and fingers.

4. Cut excess rubber to fit window.

5. Glue ends of gasket together,taking care not to glue fingers to gasket (warming, this will remove skin from fingers).

6. Insert remainder of gasket into slot.

7. Push like hell to close window.

     7a. Heat gasket with hair dryer.

      7b. Push like hell again.

8. Wonder if you might have the gasket in backwards.

9. Repeat step 7.