28 te rod storage panel in cockpit removal

[saltshaker28]

has anyone taken these panels off i also need to remove the toe rail

[Jkraft]

Yes they just unscrew, nothing to it

[saltshaker28]

Yes they just unscrew, nothing to it

thanks as well as the toe rail

[saltshaker28]

I took all the screws out and removed the toe rail looks like the panel is siliconed to the cockpit wall it is not coming off any suggestions

[Pitou]

You'll have to get in from behind alonh all edges with a long putty knife with an edge on it and cut the sealant. Be patient.

[saltshaker28]

Thanks I will give it a try

[saltshaker28]

how long did it take you to remove both panels?

[Pitou]

how long did it take you to remove both panels?

Maybe a few hours of cutting sealant and prying all while being careful to not crack them.

[saltshaker28]

did you use a heat gun?

[Pitou]

I did not use a heat gun though if very careful it might help.

I put a good edge on a 5 in 1 painters tool/knife and slid it behind the rod storage box until engaging the sealant and pushed and rocked the tool until getting all the way around. It certainly wasn't easy, but with patience and perseverance it worked. I've done this on both my 28 TE and my now 31 TE.

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[gmberkley]

I took both of mine off last year, they were not siliconed in place, and when I put them back I did not use anything but the screws, I can't think of any justification to silicone those panels in, and when you replace them, you may consider just using the screws and forgo any silicone/sealant.

[saltshaker28]

sounds good i like the 5in1 tool is the sealent the only thing holding the panel after removing all the screws?

[Ben423]

I haven't removed mine yet, but they look like good candidates for butyl tape instead of silicone sealant.

[Pitou]

I agree with the butyl tape suggestion as an alternative. Thick tape or multiple layers would be needed to fill the recess to become flush and be effective.
The purpose of the sealant or butyl is to keep water from getting in from behind which will then run down into the bilge, especially from the pressure of a washdown hose.

[Nancy]

The panels on our '95 weren't difficult at all to remove. There's no way we spent multiple hours on each..my husband's head would have exploded. Maybe a previous owner had already battled the silicone. We just had to break/cut the sealant around the edge (top and 2 sides), remove the screws, and voila! We did this at least three times for various reasons. There's no reason to use an adhesive when putting the panels back in. Just use a good - but removeable - sealant to keep water out.