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MDSilverado · 10-11-2009, 06:59 AM

Hello...Yesterday i was looking at a 82' International to purchase and restore(even though it's not vintage). The windows all had these crystals laying in the bottom. Can anyone identify what these are and IF I purchased the trailer what I could do to get rid of them?

overlander63 · 10-11-2009, 07:29 AM

If they're double-pane windows, it is probably the tinting that has flaked off between the panes, and ended up down there. It's a not-uncommon problem, though I've usually seen it on 1970's-era trailers.

If they're not double-pane windows, it could be air freshener crystals. When you open a window, you get a nice flowery scent in the trailer...

HowieE · 10-11-2009, 07:35 AM

I be leave they are a "Desiccant". They are used to absorb moisture to keep the windows from being etched.

Lumatic · 10-11-2009, 07:51 AM

Both the above are possible. There are 3 options. 1. Split the window frame and clean it up. Lots of work. 2. Take a center punch and break out the inner pane and clean up. 3. Suck it up.

There are 2 other problems with double pane windows. 1. Condensation 2 Collecting rain water. These problems can at least be partially solved by drilling in a drain hole.

Double pane windows was one of Airstream's less successful ideas.

Frank's Trailer Works · 10-11-2009, 08:31 AM

Sorry to break it to you, but 1982 is vintage....

HowieE · 10-11-2009, 08:55 AM

If the windows have not started to fog leave them alone. If you brake the seal odds are you will never be able to reseal them as good as they are now.

Zeppelinium · 10-11-2009, 09:56 AM

It's desicant. The flaked solar film looks much different.

If you want to understand your double-pane windows, look here
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...ilm-37422.html

Zep

MDSilverado · 10-11-2009, 11:08 AM

OK...a desicant is there to absorb moisture...correct? Do you think this is the way the dessicant looked when it left the factory? I dont know if you can tell form the picture but these things look like small opaque stones. I have also posted here pics of the vista-view windows (not sure if thats still the correct term when they are below the larger living area window like this one). The are these small white asprin looking things in these?

Xep - just read your link, the white aspirin things are spacers to maintain the butyl thichness?

Gene · 10-11-2009, 11:14 AM

It looks like what happens to safety glass when it's shattered.

Gene

Dakota's Dad · 10-11-2009, 12:09 PM

We have some windows like that, with the little crystals laying in the bottom, I just decided not to worry about it.

Gene · 10-11-2009, 12:53 PM

If this had a double pane and one was removed, but the PO didn't bother to remove all the little pieces that stick in the channels that hold the glass, the pieces on the top would eventually fall down and make little piles. If the PO put another pane in, maybe he would leave those there, and attach the new pane outside the regular channel. This sounds goofy, but people do goofy things.

Gene

Mike Leary · 10-11-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

It looks like what happens to safety glass when it's shattered.

Gene

Yup, I have some shards left over in my rear curved.

MDSilverado · 10-11-2009, 01:12 PM

...these are in every window in the trailer.

MDSilverado · 10-11-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota's Dad

We have some windows like that, with the little crystals laying in the bottom, I just decided not to worry about it.

hmmm...if only I could get my OCD under control?

Gene · 10-11-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

hmmm...if only I could get my OCD under control?

Change your focus—

Better check if the door is locked. Is it locked? Better check. Maybe you forgot to lock it, better check…

That's all for now, gotta check my e-mail, any new posts, any new e-mail…

Gene

2airishuman · 10-11-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

OK...a desicant is there to absorb moisture...correct? Do you think this is the way the dessicant looked when it left the factory?...

crappy picture but YES that's how it looked as new...

the crystals were whitish new and tended to YELLOW over time.

typically 25 year old crystals are yellow brown.

the color change largely depends on WHAT minerals or contaminants were IN the water absorbed...

and how WELL the double pane seals hold up, and solar flares.

political affiliations and what's for dinner or what was SMOKED inside the unit also affect color.

is there any shag carpet or bead/string doors or a disco ball in this unit?

check under the lav sink, my stash of windowpane may still be taped there.

cheers
2air'

Zeppelinium · 10-11-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

... I have also posted here pics of the vista-view windows (not sure if thats still the correct term when they are below the larger living area window like this one). The are these small white asprin looking things in these?

Xep - just read your link, the white aspirin things are spacers to maintain the butyl thichness?

All you need to know about Vista Views here
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...ews-32184.html
I dislike them ... a lot. I temporarily repaired one using plumber's putty, lasted a few years, but was never satisfactory.

Yes, those are spacers, but they were required to maintain the thickness of the older sealant used in the Vista Views. The new butyl has a stiff chord embedded in it that does the same function. The problem is, I haven't been able to find the right butyl for the Vista Views--the space between panes in the Vista Views is thicker than the space in the openable double pane windows.

Zep