'74 Double Paned Glass Trouble

[elliottkatz]

I am restoring a '74 Sovereign and am wonding if the two front wrap around windows can be removed/cleaned and resealed whey they are leaking. These are double paned windows that don't look like they can be separated, at least not as easily as the vista view windows can be, and it's a shame because the original caulking between the panes is a terrible eyesore. Is there any way that I can remove one of the panes to clean and reseal these two windows, or are they fixed only with replacements?

Thanks,
Elliott

[ZoomZoom]

Actually it's easier to seperate the wing window frame than others, screws at the top and bottom of the inner frame come loose and there you go. Better to remove the inner glass than to clean them and reinstall, they were never "themopane", rather just double glazed with a bit of dessicant in between, and as you can see it didn't work.

ZoomZoom

[Chuck]

so you CAN take them apart without shattering the inner glass??? There's been a bit of confusion on this issue, here, with alot of people saying that the only way to fix the problem is to break the glass with a center punch or the like. The idea makes me go

The service manual for my '73 is about as clear as mud about it...seems to describe the process, but they seem to have the inside parts and the outside parts confused, so I've been hesitant to persue it.

[dogrotten]

I am currently fixing the windows on this trailer. I have yet to find a good solvent for removing the grey gooey gasket between the two windows. Anyone have any suggestions ? Thanks.

[ZoomZoom]

Stack, Vista View, and hinged front & side windows are spliced at the top and bottom with a piece of steel bar slipped into a channel in the aluminum frame, drill out the rivets and TRY to pry the sides apart. The problem being whatever type of aluminum/steel alloy has formed in the splice channel (spaceage stuff?) guess just the corrosion of dis-similar metals makes it tough to get them apart. It is do-able though just alot of patience.

ZoomZoom

[elliottkatz]

Originally Posted by dogrotten

I am currently fixing the windows on this trailer. I have yet to find a good solvent for removing the grey gooey gasket between the two windows. Anyone have any suggestions ? Thanks.

I use "GooGone," a common citrus-type solvent, with a flat razor to scrape all that vulkrem goo off. Start out scraping the caulk with a puddy knife or something stiffer than the razor, and then hit it with the solvent and clean up with the razor.

Good luck,
Elliott

[elliottkatz]

Actually it's easier to seperate the wing window frame than others, screws at the top and bottom of the inner frame come loose and there you go. Better to remove the inner glass than to clean them and reinstall, they were never "themopane", rather just double glazed with a bit of dessicant in between, and as you can see it didn't work.

Hi ZoomZoom,
Thanks for the reply. I see which screws you are talking about, however, I'm wondering if there is any way to get the two windows out that flank the center pane ("wing window"? terminology?). Those appear to be riveted in place and there are no screws on the inner frame. Thanks again,
Elliott

[ZoomZoom]

You must remove the entire frame from any of the fixed windows to work on them, means replacing the buck rivets with olympics. I see them for sale for a little as $20 per 100 on some web sites.

ZoomZoom

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoom

You must remove the entire frame from any of the fixed windows to work on them, means replacing the buck rivets with olympics. I see them for sale for a little as $20 per 100 on some web sites.

ZoomZoom

So you're saying that you can't remove the inner pane from the wing windows from inside the trailer? the whole unit must come out, inside and out?

[ZoomZoom]

Correct, the only way would be to break the inner glass a pull it out piece at a time. Same with the stacks and vista views except they are riveted at the seam while the wings are screwed.

ZoomZoom

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by ZoomZoom

Correct, the only way would be to break the inner glass a pull it out piece at a time. Same with the stacks and vista views except they are riveted at the seam while the wings are screwed.

ZoomZoom

But if you DO remove the entire wing from the trailer, you CAN get the glass apart without smashing it?

[sovereignrwe]

someone ... anyone ... pics please?

[Bradjun1]

I fixed the condensation problem on my 74 Tradewind by drilling two 3/16th inch holes under each wing window and then running a piece of brass braising rod ,or a coat hanger,through the hole at an angle so that it comes up between the panes. It took a month but the condensation finally dried out and has not returned.The holes must be drilled below the glass or they will break it. I drilled the holes near the bottom of the window frame,about 3/8th of an inch from the bottom, then with the drill still running angled it up and into the caulking that's between the panes. I would attach a picture but it's dark and the photo wouldn,t help. If anyone needs to see this I'll try and include a pic tomorrow.There is a thread on this . I think it's under condensation problems.Brad