|
|
05-20-2012, 05:34 PM
|
#1
|
New Member
1974 Argosy 22
Hope
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
|
Lexan Window Replacement
Hello All
Getting ready to restore a 1974 Argosy 22. We are new to the trailer world and found a lot of information in the forums. Our front & rear center flat windows are missing and one wrap around. Found some post about Lexan but nothing with correct thickness, cutting the wrap around etc.. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 07:04 PM
|
#2
|
Moderator Emeritus
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna
, Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,718
|
Lexan Window Replacement
Greetings Ksweesy!
Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Argosy ownership!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksweesy
Hello All
Getting ready to restore a 1974 Argosy 22. We are new to the trailer world and found a lot of information in the forums. Our front & rear center flat windows are missing and one wrap around. Found some post about Lexan but nothing with correct thickness, cutting the wrap around etc.. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
|
The center window is flat, and would likely be about the same cost as Lexan . . . unless you are missing the frame that the glass fits into. The deep wrap wing window is another thing entirely. I don't believe that I have read of anyone using acrylic except as a short-term fix while waiting for a glass wing window to arrive.
You might want to try asking this question in a thread with a name that will register with Forum members who may have done what you are considering. . . . . Lexan for Panoramic Wing Window Replacement?
I know that ithe less severely curved wing windows on the 1970s Airstreams are often replaced with acrylics . . . but they have far less of a bow than the Panoramic windows.
Good luck with your investigation!
Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 07:49 PM
|
#3
|
Cecelia
1976 Argosy 22
New London
, Connecticut
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 55
|
I don't have anything helpful to add, just wanted to say congrats on your Argosy!
Sorry to be Debbie Downer, but I've not come across anyone on here replacing the pano with Lexan. The windows available from the manufacturer are smoked glass, not clear, but you probably already know that. Good luck, and I'll be interested to know what you come up with.
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 07:52 PM
|
#4
|
4 Rivet Member
1974 23' Safari
Vintage Kin Owner
1947 25' Spartan
, Manor
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 457
|
The Spartan trailers use Lexan for their curved windows so I know it's possible, but I have yet to replace my spartan windows. I would think that it would look quiet different than the opposite side. My 1974 Safari has double pane windows, does yours? That might present it's own issues. Have you checked on getting a glass replacement?
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 08:02 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
|
The flat windows can simply be replaced with double strength plane glass for a low cost. If you want them stronger you can buy tempered glass for a little more money. The really bent pano windows can be made from Lexan Polycarbonate by slump forming. it involves using 1/8 inch PolyCarobonate and dry it by raising the temperature to 200 F for a couple hours to dry it out. Then raise the temperature to 375 degrees F and bending it around a wood form to give it the right shape. Use the exterior grade lexan they use for green houses as it contains a UV resistance additive.
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 08:06 PM
|
#6
|
4 Rivet Member
1974 23' Safari
Vintage Kin Owner
1947 25' Spartan
, Manor
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 457
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by dwightdi
The flat windows can simply be replaced with double strength plane glass for a low cost. If you want them stronger you can buy tempered glass for a little more money. The really bent pano windows can be made from Lexan Polycarbonate by slump forming. it involves using 1/8 inch PolyCarobonate and dry it by raising the temperature to 200 F for a couple hours to dry it out. Then raise the temperature to 375 degrees F and bending it around a wood form to give it the right shape. Use the exterior grade lexan they use for green houses as it contains a UV resistance additive.
|
This is interesting. Does one use a large oven?
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 08:10 PM
|
#7
|
Cecelia
1976 Argosy 22
New London
, Connecticut
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 55
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ksweesy
Hello All
Getting ready to restore a 1974 Argosy 22. We are new to the trailer world and found a lot of information in the forums. Our front & rear center flat windows are missing and one wrap around. Found some post about Lexan but nothing with correct thickness, cutting the wrap around etc.. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
|
I found a thread discussing this problem...seems someone did fit Lexan to the panoramic window. Maybe you could send a message, see how he did it?
The thread is here.
edit: ooops, I see someone beat me to it.
|
|
|
05-20-2012, 08:12 PM
|
#8
|
4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Eckville, Lacombe County
, Alberta
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 453
|
Hello there, and welcome!
Our drivers side curved window was replaced by the PO with Lexan or Polycarb, I don't know which. It leaked a little but I scraped out the silicone and replaced with Vulkem and its watertight now. I have read somewhere that they can blow out but I am not aware of that happening, certainly on the 9 hr trip we made getting home, ours was fine. I would suggest cutting a template with poster board or something perhaps a little more rigid. There is info about how to heat form Lexan to create the correct curve but that would be needed only if you go quite thick I would think, If you want the info, PM me your email add and I will send it to you ( or anyone else for that matter). I have bought a sheet of 1/8" Lexan and intend to make a stone guard for the front wrap windows, not yet sure how I am going to achieve it but I will figure it out I guess.
Bex
__________________
TAC AB-1
A wise man once told me he wanted to stay fit enough to run a marathon on his hundredth birthday. Another said he wanted to be shot by a jealous husband on his, I'm with the latter. God bless you Richard.
Carpet Cleaning is what I do, it's not who I am.
|
|
|
05-24-2012, 07:50 PM
|
#9
|
New Member
1974 Argosy 22
Hope
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
|
Thanks to all
PM'd the gentleman in one of the earlier post. He said Lexan worked great for him. He's going to send me some info & pics.. I tried sending him my email but new members aren't allowed to send that.?.?
|
|
|
01-10-2015, 09:07 AM
|
#10
|
New Member
1975 Argosy 24
Mt Pleasant
, Tennessee
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
|
Did you ever get pics of the Lexan window replacement? If so, could you either post them or send them to me? Thanks
|
|
|
01-18-2015, 07:53 AM
|
#11
|
New Member
1974 Argosy 22
Hope
, Arkansas
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 4
|
No I never received any pics. I didn't ever get my email working. Getting ready to start working on my Argosy again though so I'll be back in the forums again. It got put on the back burner for quiet some time
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
04-02-2017, 12:09 PM
|
#12
|
New Member
1973 Argosy 24
Currently Looking...
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 4
|
Lexan Works so far
I replaced my curved passenger side with Lexan as I am slowly remodeling and so far so good. Not perfect but is a good temporary fix until I can find an original window or hit the lottery and buy 2 new curved tinted windows.
73 Argosy - 24ft
|
|
|
04-04-2017, 08:27 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
1975 Argosy 28
Springville
, Alabama
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 836
|
Great job on the windows. It looks perfect. Looks like a permanent fix to me. Did you heat it up to get the curve?
__________________
Matt
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 06:51 AM
|
#14
|
New Member
1973 Argosy 24
Currently Looking...
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 4
|
Hi Matt, thanks.
No, I did not have to heat it. Lexan is really flexible. I even tested the replacement it with a cheaper piece of Plexi (a sheet of Lexan is about 50-75 bucks) and that made the curve too. The Lexan is working well and no leaks so far.
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 07:00 AM
|
#15
|
Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
|
What the heck, it works for 200 MPH race cars. Should work for a 60 MPH trailer.
Nice clean install.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 07:22 AM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
|
My Overlander came to me with a flat sheet of Plexi in the front window. After 6 years of owning it I am going to replace it with Lexan. Glass may be cheaper but the Lexan won't break. I only had a leak once with the plexi in a very strong rain storm we had to drive through. Lowes carries the Lexan.
I used 3m trim seal to glue in a side window to the aluminum, that stuff works great and is easy to use.
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 08:38 AM
|
#17
|
4 Rivet Member
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Holly Springs
, Mississippi
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 426
|
Lexan source
Besides Lowe's, another great source for Lexan is Aircraft Spruce. They have a wide variety of thicknesses and sizes.
Just be careful cleaning. Both Lexan and Plexi scratch easily.
__________________
Bob
2016 FC 25' FB twin
2013 F-150 Lariat CrewCab 3.5 EB 4X4 3.55 axle
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 09:05 AM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
|
Use UV resistant lean. Otherwise it will yellow after a few years.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 09:30 AM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
1955 22' Safari
Laredo
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,342
|
Me too
Glass front window on my 67 Overlander shattered during the delivery (while being towed by the PO). Replaced with 1/8" Lexan so no need for a rock guard. Works great.
|
|
|
04-05-2017, 10:21 AM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
1966 26' Overlander
Woodstock
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,525
|
I like that..also your external AC unit.
could you measure the Lexan and let me know the size? My current plexi was badly cut and hard to tell the correct measurements.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|