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Old 07-15-2012, 09:14 PM   #101
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Hi there, new to the site (yesterday) and I just got home from looking at a 1976 31' AS Land Yacht Sovereign. It was clean and would make a great project. The only thing I noticed was the windows....all except the front & back were bubbling and flaking in between the panes. The opening windows I see can be repaired, the two on either side of the front window and the smaller non opening windows below the opening windows look like there are a zillion rivets to remove to get them out. (are these what are being refered to as Vista Windows?) Once you remove windows, clean, retint and assemble, do they have to be vacuumed sealed like a normal dual pane? Any responce would be appreciate as this is keeping me from purchasing this (my first) Airstream.
Thanks, Brett (Goin Retro)
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Old 07-15-2012, 10:40 PM   #102
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The vista views are the non-openers on top. I don't have a clue what the lower ones are called. These can be repaired, just like the openers, but I think the butyl seal is thicker for them than for the openers. Someone else will have to confirm that, because I just take them out and skin them over.

No, you don't have to vacuum seal the repaired windows. A little bit of dessicant (like half a teaspone) inside will take care of any residual water vapor. The problem is finding someone who will sell you the 3/16" butyl sealing strip.

Zep
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Old 07-18-2012, 10:27 PM   #103
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Originally Posted by Zeppelinium View Post
The vista views are the non-openers on top. I don't have a clue what the lower ones are called. These can be repaired, just like the openers, but I think the butyl seal is thicker for them than for the openers. Someone else will have to confirm that, because I just take them out and skin them over.
They're called "stack" windows. I'm going to guess it's because they are always in a stack with other windows.
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Old 07-20-2012, 12:49 PM   #104
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New Sovergein Old VistaView Problem

Just bought a 1975 center bath Sovereign to add to our 1972 Safari. A little big but love it. It is in very good shape with a few problem areas.. Vista View and Stack windows are my current project.

I am unsure how to proceed. My hope is to end up with single pane windows. I have little interest in doing double pane windows and just want to make them clear. From what I can tell there are no leaks from any of the 5 VV and 3 Stack windows so I would like to not pull the exterior frame.

My hope is to just remove (Naive for sure) the inner glass/ plexi and clean the existing frame and window.

Attached are 3 photos of the VV with the glass inner window and 2 photos of the Stack window with the plexi inner window.
Photo #1 Overview of VV #2 VV with metal frame, soft gasket then inner glass. #3 shows spacer of VV #4 Stack window with metal frame against inner plexi glass. #5 Stack window.

What kind of frame(s) do I have?

Can I just brake out the glass and plexi and clean up? I've read about how to deal with the Plexi at Removing the Inner Pane of Vista View Windows BLOG

In the 70's were there two kinds of frames?

My Stack frames seem different from the VV frames.

Thanks to all that have gone before me, John
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Old 07-21-2012, 08:45 AM   #105
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Converting Double pane to single

Greetings..

I faced the same problem with my 1976 Ambassador. The double pane glass had fogged on all the windows. The opening sashes are $450.00 from Airstream, making replacing them pretty darn costly! After purchasing three single pane replacements from Airstream, I found that I could rebuild my old double pane "take offs" to single pane configuration for about $15.00 each.
I felt pretty stupid buying over $1200.00 worth of window sashes from Airstream when I could have easily rebuilt my old ones for a fraction of the cost. Now...that being said, keep in mind that Airstream gave up on the notion of "Double pane" windows for their trailers, long ago. They are troublesome and prone to the same problems the factory models faced ( fogging, pealing, leaking).
My process involves converting the double pane sash channel to a single pane width, purchasing new "U" gasket, and reassembling the sash as a single pane version, using the larger outer pane ( the inner pane is slightly smaller). I have rebuilt all of my takeoffs and now have a surplus of windows for my trailer.
The stack windows on my trailer were of the "plexi-glass" inner pane construction. I simply cut the inner panes out with a small dremel bit, being EXTREMELY!!!!! careful not to touch the outer pane ( doing so will shatter the outer tempered glass faster than a "Bluegrass banjo picker leaving an algebra class"). The space where the inner "Stack" window pane was , would then be sealed with windshield "bedding tape". The process worked for me beautifully with no leaks, no drips...and no errors....:-)
Mike
I have photos of most of the process I will be happy to share with you if you want.
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Old 07-21-2012, 03:35 PM   #106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airxtream View Post
Just bought a 1975 ...Sovereign. Vista View and Stack windows are my current project.
...
What kind of frame(s) do I have?
1975 had dual pane windows. The stack and vv windows had single piece frames, eg, you have to remove the frame from the shell in order to take it apart. You may have an early 1975 model, since you say you have two kinds of frames.

Quote:
Can I just brake out the glass and plexi and clean up? I've read about how to deal with the Plexi at Removing the Inner Pane of Vista View Windows BLOG

In the 70's were there two kinds of frames?

My Stack frames seem different from the VV frames.
The other kind of frame had an inner ring, like a "C" clip, that could be removed. This allowed you to take out the inner pane without taking the frame out of the shell.

Regardless of type of frame, you can't just take the inner pane out. You need to put in a mechanical gap filler to hold the outer pane against the outside flange of the window. Some folks have cut the plexiglas with a Dremel tool, right along the frame, sanded the edge a bit, and they are done.

Zep
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Old 07-22-2012, 08:50 PM   #107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zeppelinium View Post
1975 had dual pane windows. The stack and vv windows had single piece frames, eg, you have to remove the frame from the shell in order to take it apart. You may have an early 1975 model, since you say you have two kinds of frames.



The other kind of frame had an inner ring, like a "C" clip, that could be removed. This allowed you to take out the inner pane without taking the frame out of the shell.

Regardless of type of frame, you can't just take the inner pane out. You need to put in a mechanical gap filler to hold the outer pane against the outside flange of the window. Some folks have cut the plexiglas with a Dremel tool, right along the frame, sanded the edge a bit, and they are done.

Zep
Zep, is this the same for the '74 models? I don't see many changes from '74 to '75.
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Old 07-22-2012, 10:09 PM   #108
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I don't know how Airtream transitioned from single to dual pane windows. I get the feeling that you could wind up with the older dual pane VV window frames, but with the new dual pane main windows.

Dual pane windows were around for a couple years before the opening windows became dual. For example, my 72 Overlander wing windows are dual pane, as are the VV (with the old clip-style inner retainer), but the openers are single pane.

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Old 08-02-2012, 02:04 PM   #109
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I have photos of most of the process I will be happy to share with you if you want.
Please share. I need to tackle all the moveables as well as the stacks and vistas to remove the failed film.

I'd like to get started on this soon but I feel like I'm 85% ready to go... perhaps the remaining 15% will be answered in your photos.

Thanks.
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Old 08-02-2012, 02:09 PM   #110
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Does anyone know when they started using real tinted class instead of the film?

Perry
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Old 08-06-2012, 10:15 AM   #111
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Bump for Joebanjo... hoping he sees this and can share his process.
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Old 10-24-2012, 08:31 AM   #112
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Gasket material source

I am taking on this same effort, where can I buy the gasket material? Also, those plastic window open "hooks" that hold the windows open, I need to replace those also, any idea where to get those??
Jack

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Old 10-24-2012, 09:06 AM   #113
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Panama Red has a good, current thread on doing Vista Views and Stack windows.. That combined with this thread are.. what I have hoped for for a long time. Anyway, I did my vista views and stacks.. he provided the tolerances and a supplier for.. drumroll please..
the preshimmed butyl tape.. sold by the roll.. allglassparts.com in Canada. Here is his thread.. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...ign-96251.html
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Old 10-24-2012, 01:30 PM   #114
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I am taking on this same effort, where can I buy the gasket material? Also, those plastic window open "hooks" that hold the windows open, I need to replace those also, any idea where to get those??
Jack

mossiyjack@gmail.com
By "hooks" do you mean the plastic part on each side that holds the window lift arms in place?

If so, those are called "window position guides".

Andy
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Old 10-25-2012, 07:45 PM   #115
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Rebuilding your double pane windows with new "U" gasket

I rebuilt all my double panes windows to new single pane configuration and used new "U" gasket material available from
C.R. Laurence CRL Glazing Vinyl; 1/2" Channel Depth 9/64" to 11/64" Metal Opening - 100 ft Roll | GC725C

Mike
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Old 10-25-2012, 07:52 PM   #116
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I'm wondering if this would be the right size for the double pane
C.R. Laurence CRL Glazing Vinyl for 1/2" Sealed Insulated Glass Units - 100 ft | WV3866
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Old 10-26-2012, 08:56 AM   #117
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Yes, WV3866 is the right size. Funny thing, when you look at their web site this is called 1/2", but when you look on the reel of gasket material, it's called 5/8".

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Old 10-26-2012, 09:31 AM   #118
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They were kind enough to send me a small (6 inch long ) sample, so I could check the fit before I ordered my roll..

Mike
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Old 10-27-2012, 07:06 PM   #119
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Yes, WV3866 is the right size. Funny thing, when you look at their web site this is called 1/2", but when you look on the reel of gasket material, it's called 5/8".
Zep
That must mean the inside of the frame is 5/8 and the window width is 1/2. So the 1/8 would be the total thickness of the gasket (1/16 on each side).

So I saw this:
Amazon.com: C.R. LAURENCE A4262 CRL 1/16" Sealstrip Glass Setting Tape: Automotive
I'm going to get a roll of the 1/16 and see if this can be used instead of the foil tape and the gasket.
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Old 11-06-2012, 04:49 PM   #120
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Again thanks to Zep leading the way many people, including myself, have taken the plunge on the double pane windows.

In the post above.. I got the window sealing tape. I thought that it might work instead of going with the plastic gasket.

It is the same width of the plastic gasket.
It is thicker (1/8) than the plastic gasket.
It's texture.. it feels a lot like rubber electrical tape (it will stretch).

With the 3/16 shimmed butyl tape (Canadian source in Panama Red's vista thread sells by the roll but shipping is $). Everything fit snugly.

Same as Zep I got the frame hammered back on up to the last 1/2 inch or so. The bar clamps (Harbor Freight) finished squeezing it together very nicely.

The tape is made to trim the excess around the frame after installation.

The tint I got off ebay. 24" by 50' 35% ceramic reflective Charcoal Gray for about $60.
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