I am ready for a new window.. is original still available or is lexan better ?

[AxelBruijnis]

yesterday disaster stuck on my curbside curved front window on my 1986 excella , no other traffic, no rain or hail..
our plans for the next months changed drastically ..no more weekend trips..

since we live in the Netherlands, i doubt if there are any replacement windows near.

Would Lexan work or is the original window still availible ?
Would one notice the difference ?
Can i get rockguards to protect the remaining windows ?
( the ones on the InlandRV pages seem small for my trailer's windows.)

Does anyone have experience with lexan replacements?
Any pictures of replacement windows installed ?

thank you !

Axel & Annieta

[Mike Leary]

Andy at Inland is your only hope. Ouch!

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AxelBruijnis

yesterday disaster stuck on my curbside curved front window on my 1986 excella , no other traffic, no rain or hail..
our plans for the next months changed drastically ..no more weekend trips..

since we live in the Netherlands, i doubt if there are any replacement windows near.

Would Lexan work or is the original window still availible ?
Would one notice the difference ?
Can i get rockguards to protect the remaining windows ?
( the ones on the InlandRV pages seem small for my trailer's windows.)

Does anyone have experience with lexan replacements?
Any pictures of replacement windows installed ?

thank you !

Axel & Annieta

To install Lexan, you must take the window frame out, and then take the frame apart.

Next, you would need to replace the gray gasket, that is not available.

If you did manage to use the Lexan, you will not find it in solar gray color. Therefore, you would notice the difference.

Thin Lexan is very flexible. If that window was hit with a sudden gust of wind, the window could more than likely, blow out.

The likelyhood of reassembling the window frame back to it's original size, is not very good, since the internal steel brackets, you would find, are very corroded.

Replacing the window is the only assurance that you may have.

The 3 piece rockguards are designed to fit your three front windows, "exactly". Pictures do not always make an object appear as it really is. The rockguards are made for your trailer, by Airstream.

You will need a wrap window, a package of olympic rivets, a tube of Vulkem sealer, and a drill bit kit.

For tools, you will need a drill motor, rivet gun, and a shaver.

Instead of using a shaver, you can use a Dremel tool.

Please advise if we can offer further assistance.

Andy

[wahoonc]

Axel...that hurts I would try a piece of lexan as a temporary measure until you can source a new wing window. I definitely would get the rock guards for future use. You can heat form lexan to a certain extent to help get the bend started.

Aaron

[remcolent]

axel if you need help with a temorary lexan replacement give me a call.
I'm out thursday and saturday but can help the rest of the week

Remco

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Axel...that hurts I would try a piece of lexan as a temporary measure until you can source a new wing window. I definitely would get the rock guards for future use. You can heat form lexan to a certain extent to help get the bend started.

Aaron

Aaron, he has a wrap window, that's 40 inches wide. Wing windows are only 14 inches wide. That creates a enrirely different set of problems.

You don't need to heat Lexan to bend it.

We show some Lexan windows that are for 66-67 and 68 Airstreams, in our web site, that we have coiled into a cicrle, that's maybe 18 inches in diameter.

Since it is flexible, the wind can blow it out of a wrap window frame, since the window is larger than 6 square feet.

Andy

[mustang]

Hello Lexan is nice for drag racing or trying to lighten things up



but frankly I wouldnt use it for 1 simple reason.


"It Scratches way to easily."



They even sell polishes for this problem



I have it for my windows in my drag car, what a pain in the ass.



I dont like it. I would suggest you getting a window cover if you do get lexan.




Your gonna want to hide it within a few years

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Aaron, he has a wrap window, that's 40 inches wide. Wing windows are only 14 inches wide. That creates a enrirely different set of problems.

You don't need to heat Lexan to bend it.

We show some Lexan windows that are for 66-67 and 68 Airstreams, in our web site, that we have coiled into a cicrle, that's maybe 18 inches in diameter.

Since it is flexible, the wind can blow it out of a wrap window frame, since the window is larger than 6 square feet.

Andy

Andy,
Thicker lexan 1/4" and up doesn't bend very well. If it is heated it can be vacuum formed, or laid over a form. The thinner stuff can be rolled without heating. And yes the possibility exists that it will blow out, but given his location, lexan is going to be his best choice until he can get a proper replacement. The last time I checked Airstream parts in The Netherlands are not readily available.

Aaron

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Andy,

The last time I checked Airstream parts in The Netherlands are not readily available.

Aaron

Well, we could sort of figure that an overseas Airstream parts department would not have very much on hand.

Sometimes, our USA source of supply, of Airstream parts, quotes, "out of stock."

It's just something you learn to live with, which also teaches you to carry a larger inventory on some items.

But things being things, we understand, as best we can.

Andy

[AxelBruijnis]

Andy ,

Will the new window come with the frame , or do i need to clean the old frame ?

thank you !

Axel

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by AxelBruijnis

Andy ,

Will the new window come with the frame , or do i need to clean the old frame ?

thank you !

Axel

Wrap windows come complete with the metal frame (sash).

Andy

[Pschoerrn]

Axel,

what a disaster... Sorry for you!! If you need Olympic Rivets and a rivet shaver, you could have some rivets from me (I bought way too many!!) and I could also lend you my rivet shaver. Sending it from Germany to the Netherlands won´t be expensive or I could pass by on my way to Ameland on the 10th of october or on the way back on the 12th... Just let me know, if I can help...

On and BTW although Andy at InlandRV is probably the worlds best and helpful source, you could also give Daniel from Airstream4u in Hamburg a call, he might also have a complete window for you and it would already have VAT and Tax...

Good luck!!

BJoern

[AxelBruijnis]

BJoern , i never thought of contacting Daniel , i ordered the new window at Inland RV last week, and got us a rock guard as well.


Last sunday Remco helped me put a temporary glass-replacement in.

we used too much force on the piece of new plexiglass i got , it exploded in a few pieces , so we used something that was around and not in use.
Its actually something that protects wooden floors from office-chairs.

We (Remco) removed one side of the aluminum frame of the window, and the piece was moved into the seam. it doesn't look good, but at least the trailer is usable.
one bar of metal was used to keep the window from bending.
We used rivets to keep the new plastic in the middle while we silicone to glued it in place.
Those rivets have now been removed.

Our planned trip can take place this weekend !
Thank you Remco !

Axel ..

[remcolent]

Axel I hope you have a nice trip this weekend.
You can alway's call if you need any help.
Remco

[wahoonc]

Axel
If you heat plexiglass with a heat gun, oven or heat/sandbox it will take a curve without shattering. We used to use a steam box IIRC it was set at about 300f degrees. I have also used a plumber's torch but they are harder to control.

Aaron