Resealing Vista Views and Stacks in a '74 Sovereign

[airpatton]

Thanks to Red and the many others for aiding me along in fixing my vista views. Here are the pics of what it looked like. The only things I noticed different were the space between the glass and the aluminum when installed. I added a couple of sixteenth shims top and bottom to hold it in place. I also used a block of wood to gently tap the rings back in place. My plexi was worn out so I cut two new pieces. I did notice too that the aluminum snap rings are tight going back in, which is a good thing because all components seat properly. Finished the job with a nice glaze on the outside. Hope these pics give a little more insight.
Kevin--airpatton

[drboyd]

Subscribe

[jerrypike]

a different approach
I am just about done with mine too
after a bit of trial and lots of errors
I did the removal process the same
Butt I used
Polyshim II Butyl Tape - 3/16" Thick X 25 Feet from vintage trailer supply to adhere to the aluminum frame, then installed the glass
after which I re-installed the aluminum "snap ring"
then i used the largest rubber rope I could find, ended up using the style to re-do window screens and a window screen roller to wedge the rubber rope in place
this seems to apply pressure to the glass and therefor the butyl tape
also I heated up the butyl and the glass (carefully) to help with the adhesion
one window ( or frame was difficult to get to seal, so I reheated it with a heat gun, and used some wedges to help make a seal
so far so good
I still may have to seal the outside, but not as of now

[aquinob]

Very cool. I haven't seen this thread before. I've got two of the lower oblong windows that I think this method will work well on. There is an aluminum trim that is riveted on the inside that I need to drill the rivets and see what it looks like underneath.

Is this also the method that is used to pack the glass in the front curved wing windows? A while back I posted about trying to get some help with those and didn't get any really useful responses. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...es-129496.html

[Panama Red]

This is not the same as the curved front windows. If you dig deep enough, there is a thread, I think by Zepilumunum (or however he spells it) on how to do the front windows...

-Red, vista views only...

[Kiera]

I just followed this process for all 5 of my vista view windows and it worked great... until it rained! Granted it was a downpour for hours. I have 2 that are leaking now. I have a leak in between the glass and the plexiglass. And the other one leaks inside the AS in the bottom left corner. Any ideas?

[Panama Red]

How cold is it where you are, and during install? The shimmed butyl rubber doesn't adhere well in cold weather. A previous poster used a heat gun to help the polyshim stick. Also, if you glazed the window correctly, that alone would keep them from leaking, until it bounced down the road and loosened up.

My windows have been in place since I wrote this thread, what, two years ago? No leaks, at all, in Florida, where it rains every day. I've never been camping that it didn't rain on me. I've had leaks other places, but never my Vista Views or Stacks...

-Red, surprised...

[Kiera]

We did this in Florida a few weeks back, above 60 I believe. I glazed them all afterwards. The only thing I'm thinking that could be the culprit is that the two windows that I'm having the issues with I didn't use the vulcum to chaulk around the windows, I used another polyurethane based chaulk, Excell I think. I have the tube still. So this weekend I plan on scraping that stuff off and put on the vulcum, see if that is the issue. But the other window is leaking in between the plexi and the glass... That one has me puzzled... My other windows are doing amazing!!

[cadashnaw]

I have a 75 sovereign and all the vista style windows are plexi on the inner pane is it possible that it is the Same window setup? Or did the PO replace all the inner lanes with plexi?

[airpatton]

Mine are still good, no leaks or condensation. I hope you can find it soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[nickclifford]

hi ... my '72 Sov vista windows need a rehab .. can't see how to get to those clips !! can anyone list a "dummies guide" !! thanks )

[Panama Red]

Nick, the '72's were different than the '74's. They only made the clip style window for about a year and a half to two years, and I believe they started in '74 with the clip style. Sorry I can't help you more... dig around in here long enough and deep anough, and somewhere, somebody has rebuilt what you have.

Good luck with it!

-Red, with a very narrow knowledge base...

[ijustlee]

Hi Red, thanks for the info! I need to do this job to my '73 and was wondering if the retaining ring pushes the glass into the frame very hard? That is do you have to push in on the plexiglass very hard to get the retainer back in and does it compress the polyshim much? Does it seem like the polyshim will keep the tension on the outer glass for a long time? I was thinking of using some type of rubber material between the glass and plexiglass to try to keep the outer glass seated against the frame. Has your repair held up well? Thanks! Leland

[ijustlee]

PS, you know, after a few adult beverages the windows don't look that bad the way they are! Leland

[Panama Red]

Leland, the polyshim has a plastic shim inside the butyl rubber sealant, so it maintains it's thickness. And, to date, I have had no problems at all with my vista views and stacks...

-Red, studying the adult beverage angle...