We have just purchase an all original 1972, Sovereign, International. This model has "sky-light" type rounded windows that are just above the regular windows. (I'm sure they have a "real" name, but not sure what that might be)
Anyway, looks like there was some type of film between the window panes. It has cracked, curled and fallen apart. Was wondering if anyone knew what it would take to separate the window panes and clean out this mess?
Thanks,
FlyingScot
The Vista View windows are doulbe pane in the older models and are known to get moisture between the panes. I have seen where some have carefully broken out/removed the inner pane and it cleaned up nicely. Not sure if there is any other way to fix it but your in the right place to ask...
You have a common but tough problem. The double pane vistavue windows are assembled as two panes, each with a peripherial gasket, inserted into two halves of an aluminum channel frame. A mylar film (just like car window tint) was put on the inside of the outer pane. The sunlight UV degrades the mylar over time and ruins the optical quality of the window. They can be dissambled and cleaned, but it requires removing the window and dissambling the frame with the attendant drilling out of rivets and re-riveting, etc. Some folks sacrifice the inner pane and the thermal qualities to get at the mylar and then live with a single pane window. At least one member has removed them entirely. Airstreams have something for everyone (like a Roman comedy) and the more skills you have the more trouble you can get yourself into. The forum archives are full of hard-won knowledge from which most of the expletives have been deleted.
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"Not all who are lost are wondering" say Bill & Heidi
'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
Thanks everyone for the ideas and sending me in the right direction. Laughing at Excella CM!! Right now everything in this baby is original and pretty much working (can you hear me knocking on wood!). I'm having to force myself not to try to fix something. Looks like the Vista Views are complicated enough that if I screw them up, I won't be able to fix it in a weekend before my wife discovers my mistake. (this is how I tend to judge most of my fix up projects). Anyway, you all are great to respond. Thanks so much.
You're lucky you have a 1972. The vista view windows for that year have a glass outer and a plexi inner. These are set in a "W" frame with each panel in their own channel. There is a thread about this year. For this year there is no need to drill any rivets unless you want to maintain an inner panel.
I just finished mine. I used a dremel tool to cut through the inner panel, cutting a cross to each edge. The material was easy to remove with pliers. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection. After removal a razor blade cleaned up the film. Nothing else was necessary. This was a very easy task, about 1 1/2 hours, and the result was great.
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