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Old 02-04-2013, 04:26 PM   #1
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1970 31' Sovereign
plain city , Ohio
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overheads vista window shattered needs repaired or replaced

Went out to the camper today to find one of the overhead vista windows shattered on my 1970 31' sovereign. I am chicken to replace on my own if the stories are right about used windows rivets holes may not line up, is this true? Should I just take to Airstream and let them replace? I see a possible replacement on ebay for $125 but Airstream wants nearly twice that much and as much for the labor?
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Old 02-04-2013, 04:43 PM   #2
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Do you know what caused it to shatter. Do you have pictures

Don
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Old 02-04-2013, 06:06 PM   #3
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Hawk5274,
I replaced all three last year and had the dealer do it. I needed a panel replaced so the cost was a little cheaper, but to me not having the experience, tools was well worth the labor charge. Keep in mind also that if they leak you have the work guaranteed for probably 1-year. I'd ask.

Did all three shatter? If so, I would try to figure out the cause before investing money into them even if you do them yourself.

The old ones had the double pane, so if both panes broke on all three vista, you need to figure that out.

Good luck and you might want to see if another Airstream dealer close by will cut you a deal, or ask Jackson Center for a discount. All they can do is say no.

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Old 02-04-2013, 06:10 PM   #4
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Consider making a patch and eliminate those troublesome windows alltogether.

Perry
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Old 02-04-2013, 06:35 PM   #5
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Thank you for all your input.
Don, not sure what caused it but I had one of the inner plastic shade pulled down on the one that broke and not pulled down all the way on the one that remains. The vista window on the other side with the door was pulled all the way down, when I lifted the shade had frozen condensate formed on the inside of the window between the plastic shade and the window. Maybe that caused the break? Ohio was very cold this past week with negative zero wind chills for a week then warmed to sixty degrees.
SL4BLLT I talked to Jackson Center today and rough estimate was about $450 for replacing and labor total. It might be cheaper than that since this was just a verbal over ther phone estimate. It would be worth it to me not to have leaks or the hassle of finding unknown problems with the replacement window from ebay. I also thought of replacing with lexar but getting exact dimension has slowed me down. The Vista windows are nice for extra natural light in the camper so keeping a good window for me would be great. I'll let you know how it goes!
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Old 02-04-2013, 06:48 PM   #6
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Hawk5274.

I know I paid $232.00 each last year, so that quote is not bad. Also keep in mind the more Airstreams they keep on the road, the historical percentages remain high and most importantly, "the legend lives on!"

here is what they new ones will look like to help ease your pain with replacing the pane.

Its tough, but they are 43 years old, so they hopefully the replacements will go another 40+.

Best of luck and see if they will trow in a flamingo cup so you can enjoy the view from the inside drinking something cold.

SL4BLLT
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Old 04-06-2013, 08:27 AM   #7
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If you're still looking contact Gene at vintage airstream restorations .com he may be able to get you updated OEM replacement windows
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Old 04-06-2013, 09:11 AM   #8
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The rivet holes will "NEVER" line up on replacement fixed windows.

Whoopie, no big deal at all.

Drill the new holes and ignore the old holes.

Then, use Vulkem sealer on the back side of the sash (the metal part).

That takes care of all with old unused holes to perfection.

Replacing a stack or vista view window is easy as pie, BUT, use the correct tools in doing so.

Use the Olympic rivets, even with a hand riveter, use a # 21 drill bit and that's about it.

Andy
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Old 04-06-2013, 09:48 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114 View Post
Consider making a patch and eliminate those troublesome windows alltogether.
Yep!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...ews-32184.html

Zep
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Old 04-06-2013, 05:40 PM   #10
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Andy why do they drill the window frame on the replacement units? If they left the frame alone you can match drill using the existing holes from the back side.

Perry

Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In View Post
The rivet holes will "NEVER" line up on replacement fixed windows.

Whoopie, no big deal at all.

Drill the new holes and ignore the old holes.

Then, use Vulkem sealer on the back side of the sash (the metal part).

That takes care of all with old unused holes to perfection.

Replacing a stack or vista view window is easy as pie, BUT, use the correct tools in doing so.

Use the Olympic rivets, even with a hand riveter, use a # 21 drill bit and that's about it.

Andy
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Old 04-06-2013, 05:42 PM   #11
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Andy why do they drill the window frame on the replacement units? If they left the frame alone you can match drill using the existing holes from the back side.

Perry
Not a chance.

You would have to measure each and every hole, that would take hours and hours, and most likely, full of errors.

It's just not worth it.

Andy
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Old 04-06-2013, 06:45 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by perryg114 View Post
Andy why do they drill the window frame on the replacement units? If they left the frame alone you can match drill using the existing holes from the back side.

Perry
Just use a doubler behind the shell skin. It will work fine.
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Old 06-19-2013, 10:21 AM   #13
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This is my first post so I'm going to apologize up front! We purchased a '73, 29 ft beauty last summer and are in the process of restoring. We discovered at least one and maybe all four of our Vista windows are leaking. The previous owners used regular silicone sealer (and not very neatly) all around the outside of the windows and they really look horrible. We wanted to remove it anyway and now that we have a leak, we want to make sure we do a better job. Would like to just re-seal them at this point, if that will take care of the leak. We have friends who have also recently rennovated an Airstream and recommended using Velkum or Sikaflex. Any suggestions on how to get the old off and apply the new will be appreciated and thank you in advance.
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Old 06-19-2013, 10:27 AM   #14
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This is my first post so I'm going to apologize up front! We purchased a '73, 29 ft beauty last summer and are in the process of restoring. We discovered at least one and maybe all four of our Vista windows are leaking. The previous owners used regular silicone sealer (and not very neatly) all around the outside of the windows and they really look horrible. We wanted to remove it anyway and now that we have a leak, we want to make sure we do a better job. Would like to just re-seal them at this point, if that will take care of the leak. We have friends who have also recently rennovated an Airstream and recommended using Velkum or Sikaflex. Any suggestions on how to get the old off and apply the new will be appreciated and thank you in advance.
All, repeat "ALL" the silicone must be removed.

You can purchase silicone remover in spray cans.

Again, the silicone creates an invisible barrier and therefore all traces of it "MUST" be removed, and then the new sealer will properly bond.

Vulkem sealer or Sikaflex sealer are the only sealers to use, as they both last many decades.

Andy
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Old 06-19-2013, 10:33 AM   #15
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"Vulkem" is now know as TremPro 626. Airstream dealers, RV parts sellers, and Fastenal sell it throughout the USA and Canada.
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Old 06-19-2013, 10:35 AM   #16
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Thanks Andy!
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