'68 Window Hinge

[Over59]

Ok.. I have my new tempered glass and it fits perfectly. What holds the glass in the hinge. The screws don't go into the channel. Looks like the lower part of the hinge which holds the glass is two part. But doesn't come apart. The lexan I had in was happy with some silicon in the channel but I don't know that the glass will hold. The screws must do something but I don't see what and some are stripped. Is retapping them going to give me some grip on the window?

[Tom Nugler]

Looks exactly like the hinge/channel in my 67 GT. The front glass on mine broke out on the road a few years ago and it was held in with a hard black glue, no screws.
Auto glass is now held in with eurathane glue and this stuff is very strong. I'm sure it will hold the class in the channel. I was able to get the channel off the frame,I think I tilted it up and slid it out sidways. Take the glass and the channel to an auto glass shop and see if they will glue it in for you.
Where did you get the glass? The glass shop in town was reluctant to find me a piece and I still have lexan in the front window.
Good Luck,
Tom

[Over59]

Thanks. I was fearful of having to go the glue route. I suspect that the screws cause the frame to clamp down on the glass. I'll try to take it off as that will help alot.
Got the glass from local glass and window guy. Killingly Glass, Killingly Ct. He ordered it from a place that makes up tempered glass. 1/8". Has sun/ heat block on it also.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Over59.

We have tried, without any success, someone that would duplicate the 66-67-68 glass windows. Perhaps you have found a source.

Did you get a curved window or a flat front or rear window?

What was the cost?

Andy

[Over59]

Flat windows. It was free as I ordered 20 replacement windows for my home. I'll check with them about where they got it.

[Martha]

Am I dreaming to think I might find glass replacement from salvage?
I only need one. I am in central Texas.
I need a curved one for 68 overlander.
The rear bathroom window we think we can get replaced as it is flat.

[outkast2]

I work in the automobile collision repair industry, fancy way of saying that I run a bodyshop. I am new to Airstreams, I just aquired a 68 Overlander, so it looks as though I'm in a new realm of restoration. My AS needs only one piece of glass luckily, I spoke with my glass supplier, and according to him the tempered curved pieces are "no Problem" he's got a source. He is going to be out to look at my AS on Tuesday. If it ends up being true that he does have a source, I will definately pass the info on to the boards. BTW Since getting my AS and doing research on restoring, this fourm has been one of the best sources. Thanks to all who post with their wisdom on these works of art. Funny side note; After getting the lead on my AS, My girl tells me that her uncle restores them, and low and behold he's a member of this fourm as well. He's looked it over and gave it a thumbs up. I have pics in my gallery, if any body has any suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

[mizzen]

I bought a 68 curved window for my 67 GT, and the hinge bar did not match the hinge on the coach. YIKES.! I guess Airstream just decided to change things at that time. You see the hinge bar is glued to the glass with silicone. Well there is no way you can pry the bar off without breaking the glass, and nothing will loosen silicone. So now what? Dissolve the hinge off the glass with a solution of common household drain opener. Sodium Hydroxide, or Lye as it called will eat the aluminum and leave the glass behind. Then scrape the old silicone off and insert the glass into the hinge with silicone.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by outkast2

I work in the automobile collision repair industry, fancy way of saying that I run a bodyshop. I am new to Airstreams, I just aquired a 68 Overlander, so it looks as though I'm in a new realm of restoration. My AS needs only one piece of glass luckily, I spoke with my glass supplier, and according to him the tempered curved pieces are "no Problem" he's got a source. He is going to be out to look at my AS on Tuesday. If it ends up being true that he does have a source, I will definately pass the info on to the boards. BTW Since getting my AS and doing research on restoring, this fourm has been one of the best sources. Thanks to all who post with their wisdom on these works of art. Funny side note; After getting the lead on my AS, My girl tells me that her uncle restores them, and low and behold he's a member of this fourm as well. He's looked it over and gave it a thumbs up. I have pics in my gallery, if any body has any suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

If he can supply the glass let us know what his average price is also.

[rluhr]

Originally Posted by outkast2

I spoke with my glass supplier, and according to him the tempered curved pieces are "no Problem" he's got a source.

Hmmm.. I hate to be a pessimist, but I doubt it. I've contacted over a dozen curved glass specialists in the US and Europe over the past year with no luck. Inland Andy has been on this hunt for many years as well. This Corning glass is tough stuff to reproduce: irregularly curved radius, 1/8" thick, chemically tempered, and produced in small quantities.

But maybe you got lucky. Please let us know if you get anywhere (or even if you don't, so we can scratch this possibility off the list!)

[outkast2]

According to him, he's done "quite a few" AS's, and said he's done both the flat front and rear, as well as the curved sides. I asked if this was tempered glass for the curved, and he responded "yes". I did not get so far as to if it was chemicaly tempered or what radius, I figured when I had him here, I could grill him. I will definiately pass on all info that I receive.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by outkast2

According to him, he's done "quite a few" AS's, and said he's done both the flat front and rear, as well as the curved sides. I asked if this was tempered glass for the curved, and he responded "yes". I did not get so far as to if it was chemicaly tempered or what radius, I figured when I had him here, I could grill him. I will definiately pass on all info that I receive.

Again, What kind of price tag for the side windows?

[rluhr]

Originally Posted by outkast2

According to him, he's done "quite a few" AS's, and said he's done both the flat front and rear, as well as the curved sides.

Ah, I think I can guess what's going on here. He's probably done "quite a few" Airstreams of vintages other than 66-68. The "source" he mentioned probably can get the more-common 1969+ glass, which is also curved but available.

But let's wait and see. Like everyone else, I'd be thrilled to see a source for new curved 66-68 glass show up.

By the way, I haven't given up on the "bent Lexan" experiment. But that's another thread ...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Don't need curved Lexan windows for the sides on the 66-67-68 trailers, "if" you add the stainless steel edge molding kits.

You shape those to the contour you want, and they will keep the Lexan curved, as you like.

Andy

[malconium]

Mizzen,

There is a product available that will loosen silicon. Check out the following web-site for information:

http://www.amtexchemical.com/pages/5/index.htm

For some reason the above site is not responding at the moment so let me know if you have trouble reaching it. I was able to get answers to my questions at the following email address:

sales@amtexchemical.com

Pricing was quoted to me as follows:

The container sizes are as follows: 1 quart is $30.85
1 gallon is $47.85, 5 gallon pail is $189.25, and 55 gallon drum is $1696.75.

I bought 1 quart and found that it does work. I had some areas on the exterior that had lots of silcone gloped on. Some of it I removed as much as possible first and some I didn't. I brushed on the Amtex CCR and waited about 15 minutes before I started rubbing. The residue from the mechanically remove silicone pretty much all came off. Much of the larger glob, while not fully disolved had at least loosened from the aluminum enough that I could get most of it off easily enough. Waiting longer would only result in better results.

I hope this helps,

Malcolm

[Over59]

Malcolm This is major big news. Should be a link on top of the forum home page.... I'm saved... once the link comes back up.

[rideair]

Originally Posted by mizzen

I bought a 68 curved window for my 67 GT, and the hinge bar did not match the hinge on the coach. YIKES.! I guess Airstream just decided to change things at that time.

mizzen,

They did change or used two different channels. I have two 1966 trailer a Safari and a Overlander. They even have different window channel. One is a "two part" hinge, the other is a "three part" hinge.


Paul

[JohnG]

Well I guess I just got lucky while waiting for the news of how to get this glass and how much it was going to cost. I found it at Colaws and they sent me my window in it's frame, the frame that is riveted to the shell, the screen, the arms and knobs, everything. I paid 150 for the works and 75 for shipping, but well worth it. They shipped it in a wood crate and it was wrapped in bubble wrap, nice packing and protection. Now all I need to do is replace the window gasket on the window frame and I am in business.

I called Colaws on the phone and spoke with them. I had previously emailed them and the email that returned said they didn't have my window. So it might be better to call so you can tell them exactly what you want. Also tell them the years that have the same part and they might be able to help you out.