Source for window sealant

Lloyd E. Sponenburgh · 2012-07-24T12:37:04+00:00

I had to remove a broken aluminum window from one of my garage walk doors.I found I could gently pry the frame out of the opening with just a thin putty knife, but when I got it out, I found something that surprised me.The sealant the manufacturer used had the properties of both a silicone sealant, and a non-hardening, clear "goo" -- the gooey part acted like a conventional putty, but the hardening part acted just like regular silicone sealant.The bead appeared to have been gunned onto the door, then allowed to cure completely before screwing the frame onto the caulk. The "silicone" part was just as strongly adhered to the door skin as you'd suspect regular silicone would be (although it was a bit softer and more elastic that GE Silicone), but the gummy part only adhered to the window frame by its tackiness. It was a perfect sealant, in that it compressed fairly easily, sealed well, but allowed the window to be removed easily for repairs.There was broken glass embedded in the sealant bead, and the bead had been cut in a couple of places where the glass edges got it, so I scraped it off the door.I can use regular non-hardening "ribbon caulk" to re-do this, but I'm fascinated by the sealant they used. Has anyone here worked in a window or door manufactury and is familiar with this stuff. I'd love to use it on future jobs, if I can find a source. The manufacturer of the door is no help -- must be a "trade secret".LLoyd

Jul 24, 2012 24 Replies

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dcaster 13 years ago

I have not had that problem.

But they do not work on aluminum frame windows.

Check with your glass supplier. They sell double back tape for use in replacing windows.

Dan

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Lloyd E. Sponenburgh 13 years ago

" snipped-for-privacy@krl.org" fired this volley in news:746a3411- snipped-for-privacy@m7g2000vbc.googlegroups.com:

Dan... The poster asked about re-working wooden windows, and asked about substitutes for glazing putty.

Not aluminum. Not PVC. Not even carved from Elk horn. Wood.

LLoyd

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whit3rd 13 years ago

You can rip a thin strip of wood, glue it to the aluminum frame, and use th= e points. It sounds like too much work, BUT the wood supports heavy (double-pane sand= wich) glass better than securing it with tape, and covers any and all blemishes/s= eams in the aluminum joints. Especially for my tilt-out windows, with metal s= crews that could contact the glass, that wood spacing is key. I bore holes in th= e wood where the screws penetrate, of course.

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dcaster 13 years ago

You are right. I was thinking of some thermopane windows I replaced.

Dan

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kfvorwerk 13 years ago

Why not talk to 3M's tech people. They probably made it. Karl

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