Replace opaque door Window with clear?

[jlight]

I asked Airstream, and they only have opaque glass for my new 20' Flying Cloud's door. (I wonder why.) I would like to replace it with a clear piece. The glass is slightly curved in two directions. I suppose it's tempered glass, and it's etched.
I wonder if I could buy another one and try to polish out the etching to make it clear.
Nah! It couldn't be that easy.
Could it?
Anyone have any experience with this issue, or any thoughts?
Thanks
Jim

[BradS]

If the glass is tempered I don't think you can do anything to it. It will shatter if you try to rework it

[dznf0g]

I think you wil find they are all tempered. After a break in with my old SOB (1993 - not tempered), I could find NO glass shop which would sell anything but temperd for ANY door application. They cited codes.

[jlight]

I figured it out. I was scared I'd ruin my door so I got a new window shipped to me. Take two little screws out of the frame and pull it apart until you can work the glass out. I didn't ruin the frame or break the glass. I got a replacement clear smoked piece and put it in. The glass is bedded into a rubber grommet that fits tightly into the frame. Just stick it on the new piece. It's a bit of a wrestling match, getting it into the frame, but it's fine. If you are a riveter, you can take the window out of the door, change the glass, and put it back, but I'm taking the newly-clear window to my dealer to swap. I never did a rivet in my life.
(I may start practicing, since I am the proud owner of so many darn rivets.)

[idroba]

I am going to nit pic on language, as an educational and architectural wonk only, so I am not picking on anyone. This is a really common error.

Opaque means no light or vision gets through. The Airstream door glass is not opaque.
Obscure means light gets through, but not vision. This is what AS uses in the door glass.
Transparent means both light and vision gets through. Mostly we use this type of glass.

And of course you can have tinted transparent, which cuts down on light but does not obscure vision. So, what you want to know is why AS does not have tinted transparent door glass. All the rest of the door is metal, and metal is opaque. BTW, they do actually make Black Glass, that is opaque (no light and no vision) but has the exterior look of glass, that is a hard "glass like" look, and wears like glass. Mostly it is used in high rise buildings with all glass exteriors but where no light or vision are wanted.

Clear as mud now? Sorry I had to vent one of my little petty nit picks....LOL. Please forgive me, I feel better now.

[jlight]

I stand corrected. Thanks. The Airstream windows are obscure. I hope my post wasn't too much so. My new piece is tinted, but not obscure.
8-]

[trestile]

Originally Posted by jlight

I figured it out. I was scared I'd ruin my door so I got a new window shipped to me. Take two little screws out of the frame and pull it apart until you can work the glass out. I didn't ruin the frame or break the glass. I got a replacement clear smoked piece and put it in. The glass is bedded into a rubber grommet that fits tightly into the frame. Just stick it on the new piece. It's a bit of a wrestling match, getting it into the frame, but it's fine. If you are a riveter, you can take the window out of the door, change the glass, and put it back, but I'm taking the newly-clear window to my dealer to swap. I never did a rivet in my life.
(I may start practicing, since I am the proud owner of so many darn rivets.)

Where did you get the replacement window? I would like to replace my etched glass door window with a clear window. Thanks for your help.

[mikesSE]

Same here.I want to replace my '07 Safari door glass with a clear one.I've posted this before,but no answers.A member answered me back a few years ago with the name of the vendor AIrstream used for the door glass and bought his clear glass from this vendor.AirForums search is so exhausting to see so many posts that you give-up trying to find your need!


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums Mike Gore-MikesSE.

[Mollysdad]

One of our studios had a window that was clear until you flipped a switch and it became translucent. Not exactly sure how it was done, I think it had a fluorescent light in the frame that scattered the light.
That's the future.
High end motorhomes also have a mini blind inside the two panes of door glass. A slider opens and closes the shades. Nice!

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

One of our studios had a window that was clear until you flipped a switch and it became translucent. Not exactly sure how it was done, I think it had a fluorescent light in the frame that scattered the light.
That's the future.
High end motorhomes also have a mini blind inside the two panes of door glass. A slider opens and closes the shades. Nice!

Molly looks like a good ole' girl. I'm a sucker for dogs.

[TheDuke]

Originally Posted by jlight

I asked Airstream, and they only have opaque glass for my new 20' Flying Cloud's door. (I wonder why.) I would like to replace it with a clear piece. The glass is slightly curved in two directions. I suppose it's tempered glass, and it's etched.
I wonder if I could buy another one and try to polish out the etching to make it clear.
Nah! It couldn't be that easy.
Could it?
Anyone have any experience with this issue, or any thoughts?
Thanks
Jim

Last year I was at JC and they made me a new clear glass and frame and installed it. I then had my tint guy to put some 20% ceramic tint on it and we love it! I can see out now with complete privacy. Helps a lot with the light and heat!