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11-24-2015, 02:47 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1976 28' Argosy 28
Dallas
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 120
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HELP: Windshield leaks
I previously calked the top of the windshield and that helped stop the leak. I used Trempro 635 but the sun cracked it and the seal failed. I can apply Trempro again and paint but I would prefer to know the correct way to correct this leak. I also opened up the back side and the leak is coming where the windshield meets the metal. The rivets and calk and not leaking. Water runs down the middle metal pole and on to the dash. Then down to the floor.
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11-24-2015, 05:21 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Several of us have the same issue. You can read about some of the issues in this thread.
However, the Move-It stuff that was recommended does not work for long. It deteriorates rapidly. I discussed this with Peter and he suggested trying black vulkem 116. Apparently it is much easier to apply than the sikaflex and a little goes a long way. He says it is also more gritty so be conservative when using it.
I have some of the black vulkem 116 but have not yet applied it. Since my Argosy is now parked inside and probably won't see sunshine again for a year or more I can't give you any first hand feedback on how long it will last.
Sorry I can't help any more than that.
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-24-2015, 09:33 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
_
, _
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,382
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MrJ, I thought you were talking about my 280 there for a moment! I'm a bit worried with all the rain that is predicted this year.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
__________________
May a Firefly land upon your shoulder
and bring you good luck, good fortune, and abundance.
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11-24-2015, 09:39 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1964 22' Safari
modesto
, California
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,094
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Can you get a glass repair company like "Safelite" to replace the seal on the glass?
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11-24-2015, 01:02 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Even if you replace the entire windshield rubber seal I'm not convinced that leaks won't occur unless some sort of sealant was used during the install process.
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-25-2015, 12:33 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1982 28' Airstream 280
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,942
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I cracked windshield a few years back and replaced the gasket because the old one was hard as a rock and unusable. After installing the new gasket and locking bead everything looked great. The installer then grabbed a tube of black urethane windshield adhesive and proceed to fill between the gasket and the aluminum body and also between the gasket and the glass. Naturally I ask why as I thought the locking bead was supposed to hold and seal the glass. He explained that almost all the glued in windshields today are a structural part of the car and considered a "safety" component and his insurance demands that he glue all windshields whether they need it or not to avoid liability issues. Not only am I safe but my windshield doesn't leak.
__________________
Cheers, Dan
________________________________________
"Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They always run out of other people's money. It's quite a characteristic of them."
~ Margaret Thatcher ~
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11-25-2015, 02:19 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1976 28' Argosy 28
Dallas
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 120
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Thanks for the info. I'll have to get the seal replaced. I think I read on here that the windshield has a tendency to break when the seal is replaced? I could calk and paint it. (cheap fix) I would use a lot of calk and work it into the curve. Obviously Tremrpo 635 doesn't like UV rays. Doesn't that Airstream dealer in AZ sell the windshield seals? Any suggestion on who could fix this? Preferably in the Dallas N. TX area. thanks guys.
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11-25-2015, 03:24 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1984 27' Airstream 270
Scotia
, New York
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,082
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I am preparing to reseal the inner and outer edges of my windshield gasket. Whatever was used before is deteriorating and falling off.
I dont have any obvious leaks but I am trying to stop the white haze in the glass from getting worse.
I picked up some Silkaflex 221 to test out.
Has anyone tried it and did it work OK?
One thing that concerns me is that it does not mention glass compatibility in its specs.
http://usa.sika.com/dms/getdocument....flex221-us.pdf
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11-25-2015, 04:19 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 551
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MrJ
I agree with you. It just makes sense that a 30 year old piece of rubber exposed to the sun is well past its useful life expectancy.
I have been trying to get mine repaired this past week. I think it is the last leak
I need to address. I called Inland RV and they told me they don't know where I can find a new gasket. I called a local glass guy that works on hotrods and muscle cars but, he shied away from the challenge. At this point I would consider trying to do it myself if I had the correct materials and some sound guidance.
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11-25-2015, 04:30 PM
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#10
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Keen amature
1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield
, Kent
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,533
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregsch
MrJ
I agree with you. It just makes sense that a 30 year old piece of rubber exposed to the sun is well past its useful life expectancy.
I have been trying to get mine repaired this past week. I think it is the last leak
I need to address. I called Inland RV and they told me they don't know where I can find a new gasket. I called a local glass guy that works on hotrods and muscle cars but, he shied away from the challenge. At this point I would consider trying to do it myself if I had the correct materials and some sound guidance.
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My local Airstream dealer ordered a replacement gasket from Airstream within the last 12months (along with new windscreens - delivered directly from Coach Glass).
Guys like Airstream Supply advertise that the gaskets are available but are special order.
Windshield Gasket
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11-27-2015, 06:55 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 551
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WayneG
I am preparing to reseal the inner and outer edges of my windshield gasket. Whatever was used before is deteriorating and falling off.
I dont have any obvious leaks but I am trying to stop the white haze in the glass from getting worse.
I picked up some Silkaflex 221 to test out.
Has anyone tried it and did it work OK?
One thing that concerns me is that it does not mention glass compatibility in its specs.
http://usa.sika.com/dms/getdocument....flex221-us.pdf
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I found this on Amazon
3M 08693 Auto Glass Urethane Window Adhesive.
There are dozens of reviews that make it sound like others have sealed old leaky gaskets with good results.
I am still going to pursue replacing the gasket but, if that doesn't work out I will try this stuff.
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11-28-2015, 04:02 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1984 27' Airstream 270
Scotia
, New York
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,082
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Thanks, that stuff looks interesting, I found a data sheet for it here:
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/4...ive-medium.pdf
The sheet claims that you also need a primer 3M™Single Step Primer (P/N 08681 or 08682)
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/4...8681-08682.pdf
It looks like the primer is intended for full replacement and not leak sealing, but it still maybe a good idea to use it to get a proper seal on the glass and metal.
Yesterday it was in the 60's here so I started prepping the metal above the windshield. I pulled off my marker lights and used 800 grit sanding discs & truck box polish from above the markers down to the edge of the gasket. Since there is no sealant on the wire or screw holes for the markers, I will put some caulk there before I put them back up. (I also bought LED markers since the old ones disintegrated when I pulled them off)
I will need a warm day for the 3M product it does not cure well below 50 F.
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11-28-2015, 06:18 AM
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#13
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Airstream Driver
1994 30' Excella
1992 35' Airstream 350
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,224
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The Sika product I used in 2002 lasted over 10 years. When I went back to the glass store to get more a couple of years ago for Brad and the 345 I had at that time, they told me it was discontinued and was replaced with Sika Flex Move-it. Well, Brad and I found out that it does not last.
So I did some extensive tests with black vulkem 116. As Brad mentioned its a lot more gritty than other polys, but I found that it sticks to all three surfaces (glass,rubber and alu) and can handle UV and expansion.
Just remember, a little goes a long way, so use tape to apply it.
Even specialty window glazing polyurethane may require "roughing up" the glass with small abrasive tool filled with glass shards (see pic below), the vulkem 116 sticks to glass if its cleaned properly with Lacquer thinner. I also recommend using compressed air to clean the cracks and a chlorox/water solution to kill any mold deep inside.
__________________
1994 30' Excella Front Kitchen Trailer
1990 25' Excella Travel trailer
1992 350LE Classic Touring Coach
AIR #13
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11-28-2015, 01:21 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Peter, what is that tool for?
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-28-2015, 02:21 PM
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#15
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Airstream Driver
1994 30' Excella
1992 35' Airstream 350
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
Peter, what is that tool for?
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you will not believe it...its to scratch the glass for "their" poly to stick. Black vulkem 116 does not need that if the glass is super clean.
__________________
1994 30' Excella Front Kitchen Trailer
1990 25' Excella Travel trailer
1992 350LE Classic Touring Coach
AIR #13
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11-28-2015, 03:01 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer
you will not believe it...its to scratch the glass for "their" poly to stick. Black vulkem 116 does not need that if the glass is super clean.
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Peter.
Sealing a leaky windshield, is a very easy task, when like other things, is done correctly.
Old windshield gaskets get very hard. They also can shrink ever so slightly.
Replacing the gasket, should take care of windshield leaks, BUT, might fix one and cause another. Replacing the gasket is really a 2 man job, and is not cheap with dollars as well as time invested.
The very best way to seal a windshield gasket, is as follows.
Clean the inner and outer edges of the gasket, namely on the windshield side, clean that edge of the gasket, and about 1/2 inch or so of the glass that's next to the gasket, using a very good cleaner, such as lacquer thinner, alcohol, or the like.
Also clean the outer edge of the gasket, being careful not to use anything that could attack the paint, so lacquer thinner is out for that little job.
After the very good cleaning is done, those seam edges can filled using either black Vulkem or black Sikoflex sealants.
NEVER EVER USE ANY SILICONE SEALER .
That sealing job, when done properly, should last several decades.
Andy
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11-28-2015, 06:43 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,115
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer
you will not believe it...its to scratch the glass for "their" poly to stick. Black vulkem 116 does not need that if the glass is super clean.
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Interesting, I've not seen one of those before. I think I would prefer to clean the glass rather than rough it up!
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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11-29-2015, 11:04 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 551
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I called Inland RV this week and they do not have the gasket.
Took a closer look at my MH this week and I think I found the problem. By removing the spline in the center of the gasket you can gain access to the problem. The gasket folds back easily without the spline. Now I see why it leaks so bad.
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11-30-2015, 07:46 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1979 24' Airstream Excella 24
Tipp City
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 551
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Correction.
Inland called today. They do have the gasket after all. $395 plus $65 shipping.
Local Glass guy says he thinks my gasket is much less than 35 years old. Will re-calk it later this week.
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12-01-2015, 01:41 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
1976 28' Argosy 28
Dallas
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 120
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How was the gasket originally sealed to the skin on the MH at the top?
I don't think my spline is leaking, it's the seal at the top against the skin...
I have a 76', the seal listed was for the next Gen on MH's. Are the windows different?
Thanks for the info/pix guys.
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