Plastic '70s Vista View Shades

[BrockLives]

Are there replacements made for the plastic slide-down shades on the 1970s vista view windows? Mine are cracking around the handles and don't seem like they'll hold up much longer.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by BrockLives

Are there replacements made for the plastic slide-down shades on the 1970s vista view windows? Mine are cracking around the handles and don't seem like they'll hold up much longer.

I am not aware of any replacements that might be available,

Only possible source might be from a salvaged trailer.

Andy

[tphan]

Or make your own- out of aluminum maybe? might look sharp. (Roll the edge so it's not sharp!) There's that thin, plasticky stuff that comes in sheets at places like HD, usually used as wall surface in commercial kitchens, etc.- might work, not sure how it would hold up to UV though. Could maybe laminate something else to that side? You could also just try repairing/covering where the cracks are. good luck.

[BrockLives]

Thanks, guys!

I might try to make my own. I haven't taken too close a look at how they work yet. If I end up going that route, I will share my progress.

[Distantdrummer]

I thought the slide down "eyelids" were made of aluminum.
In fact I am 90% sure of it on the 75 models.
Now the closeouts are made of ABS plastic.The closeouts are behind the ceiling and hold and direct the "eyelid shades"IIRC. But the actual shades are metal (I think).
Someone please verify and if there was a change prior to '75 let us know.
My trailer is in store lot or I would verify now. Will do later for sure.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Distantdrummer

I thought the slide down "eyelids" were made of aluminum.
In fact I am 90% sure of it on the 75 models.
Now the closeouts are made of ABS plastic.The closeouts are behind the ceiling and hold and direct the "eyelid shades"IIRC. But the actual shades are metal (I think).
Someone please verify and if there was a change prior to '75 let us know.
My trailer is in store lot or I would verify now. Will do later for sure.

Vista view slides were always made with plastic.

Andy

[ticki2]

Originally Posted by Distantdrummer

I thought the slide down "eyelids" were made of aluminum.
In fact I am 90% sure of it on the 75 models.
Now the closeouts are made of ABS plastic.The closeouts are behind the ceiling and hold and direct the "eyelid shades"IIRC. But the actual shades are metal (I think).
Someone please verify and if there

This is how my '76 is built also . The pull tab edging along the bottom is plastic.

It might be that the edging along the bottom is pulling off and looks like it is cracking . Try tapping up on the edging to see if it will go up onto the shade more , it's just a friction fit.

[aev5]

Speaking of friction fit...any suggestions on how to loosen the friction so I can get my shades to go all the way up? I just got a '76 Excello to restore and some of them get stuck half-way.

Yay! First post EVER!

[Aage]

Originally Posted by aev5

Speaking of friction fit...any suggestions on how to loosen the friction so I can get my shades to go all the way up? I just got a '76 Excello to restore and some of them get stuck half-way.

Yay! First post EVER!

Hi there asev5, and welcome to the forum.

Have you tried a little bit of wax to let them slide a bit better?

[Distantdrummer]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Vista view slides were always made with plastic.

Andy

Far be it for me to disagree with Inland Andy, but I went and checked and my 1975 Vista View eyelids are made of the aluminum. Same vinyl covered and textured as the interior walls and ceiling. They look original, but I cannot verify that. Like I said above, the closeouts that the eyelids slide in are ABS plastic. The handles along the edge seem to be stock and fit the aluminum fine.

[aev5]

Good idea! Haven't tried more of anything yet beyond eyeing a can of WD40, but figured there was probably a better way...

[tphan]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Vista view slides were always made with plastic.

Andy

In my '72, the pull-down shades are indeed vinyl-covered aluminum, same as the wall material, as DD described. If by "slides" Andy means the tracks that these slide up and down in, he is indeed right, and these tracks are a weak link in the long-term function of these shades. Mine were brittle and broken, causing poor sliding action. If I were to do it over again, I'd replace them with aluminum c-channel, if it could be bent into a smooth curve.

[Candice]

I will be glad to add a picture if it will help but our Vista View slides are chipping and peeling on the outside. So when you have them closed, they look horrible from the outside. Is there any way to remove them to repair or paint?

Thanks for any help!
Candice

[Aage]

Here is a fantastic thread by WasagaChris. He did a very complete reno on his Sov that included the VV windows and the hidden parts were completely refurbished.

It begins here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f261...tml#post919284

And carries on all the way to post #219

[Candice]

Thanks Aage!

[Liz H]

Originally Posted by aev5

Speaking of friction fit...any suggestions on how to loosen the friction so I can get my shades to go all the way up? I just got a '76 Excello to restore and some of them get stuck half-way.

Yay! First post EVER!

Hi- My vista view eyelids have trouble sliding also. Did you find anything that works? Silicone or wax? Thanks- Liz

[nickclifford]

my vista windows have that flaky stuff in between the glass and plastic, from what i've learned, AS changed the design over the years, but for my '72 there is no way of fixing without removing the entire window ? drill out rivets, remove window unit, remove the plastic inner window pane ..

any insights ?! thanks

[passenger56]

Is anyone aware of handles being available? One of mine broke and I'd love to get an OEM replacement before I have to laser print one or something.

Thanks,