Help: Window Hatch Broke

[Trenta]

Hello, 

Was adjusting my seat when the pilot side window hatch broke off. After inspection I have come to the conclusion that based on the buildup of epoxy on the connection points that this has happened before. What kind of compound should be used to reattach? It’s attached directly to the window so I want to make sure that it is plastic friendly.
 

~Trent

[MooneyMitch]

Yikes!!  From your description it sounds as though the hatch has been broken previously, and the fix was a bandaid type of attempted repair.

Got a few photos possibly?

You might have to replace the entire window......

[carusoam]

+1 for a pic...

See if you can help me understand...

a window hatch...?

Boats have hatches, like small doors that cover holes in the roof of the cabin...

Open the hatch, let some air in...  batten down the hatches, we don’t want water to get in...

The hatches are generally large enough to pass a body through it... or a sale bag...
 

The pilot’s side window has an opening that is held closed with a latch... aka the vent window...

An air scoop can be mounted and deployed through this opening...

When somebody says can you open the little window... this thing get unlatched and opened...
 

So...if we are talking about reapplying the latch onto the window, to keep the little window closed...

We go to the window people like GLAP to see what they have for that... 

https://www.glapinc.com/Mooney/pilotasm/mooneypilot.html

There are a couple of things to go with that... proper glue to stick to acrylic... wouldn’t take much super glue to work... 

Hinges are worth considering at this time, hardware and a small strip to seal the window closed...

Best regards,

-a-

[Trenta]

This is what I’m talking about. This one looks screwed in but mine is just “Glued” to the window. No damage to the window the glue between the two latch points and the window experienced critical failure.

[carusoam]

Nice pic, Trent...

 

That is nearly original...

The Yeager Spatial Interior parts are really a nice touch of modernization...

In the 60s... the small hinges on the vent window we’re aluminum parts... screwed in place through holes in the window...
 

The latch was a simple piece of acrylic that rotated in place... probably a left-over par from trimming the windows to fit...

 

Sounds like you have a glue cleaning challenge ahead of you...

This is the resource, that I failed to find to post above....

https://www.glapinc.com/Mooney/pilotasm/mooneypilot.html

They May have the most knowledge of tech detail required to get you from where you are to where you want to be...

Clean the old glue off, without ruining the window...

Then glue the part back in place...

Best regards,

-a-

[MooneyMitch]

Gee willikers Batman...... never knew any of them there hatch, latch thingies came glued onto the window. 

[Guest]

Loctite AA330 has worked for me in other airframes.

Clarence

[ArtVandelay]

I would retrofit a window hatch that uses screws.

The problem with replacing 1 window...it will make the others stand out and you’ll need to replace all if you having any OCD tendencies.

[Hank]

Mine, like your photo, is screwed on. Older Mooneys use one large screw for each hinge point, newer Mooneys have two small screws. I found this out when I ordered them from LASAR without a part number, and the two little screws passed through my holes without touching!

[carusoam]

Series 330, Acrylic Adhesive, Packet, 3 mL, Yellow, 5 min Work Life
 

No wonder it works on acrylic windows... the chemistry is near identical...  

PP thoughts only, not a chemist...

Best regards,

-a-

[M20F-1968]

Should be held on with hinges and machine screws with nuts.  All the newer Mooneys (in last 20 years or so) use two metal hinges with2 screws each.  You will want to find a hinge that will cover-up the potential mess made by prior glueing.  One of the aftermarket aircraft window companies has clear plastic hinges that are larger and screwed on.  They may be better in covering-up the work that came before you.

John Breda

[0TreeLemur]

I recommend the transparent aluminum (acrylic) hardware.   Pleasantly unobtrusive, really nice positive "push to click" latch, and seemingly quite robust.   This came with the new window.

Windows aren't hard to replace if you have some hand-tool skill.  Lots of text on this site describing the howto's and dont's

[RobertGary1]

Its just a hole in the window. Just pass a bolt and a locking nut on it and you're good to go for 200 years.

 

-Robert

[PT20J]

Here's an article that might help. https://www.tapplastics.com/product_info/diy_articles/plexiglass_glue

If you drill any holes, use a step drill bit or special plastic drill bits. Regular twist drill bits can catch and crack acrylic.

Skip

[Trenta]

Update: After input and research on plastic safe compounds. A razor blade was used to clean old brittle glue off and score the surface needing to adhere to the window. New plastic safe gorilla glue gel was used and has worked like a dream. Feels solid and dried clear as a posed to the old cloudy glue. 

[carusoam]

Way to go Trent!

Wait... not too late to post a pic. The ‘after’ pic... 

Congrats on getting the job done.

Best regards,

-a-