Vista View Shades

[JohnG]

Am wondering if this idea has merit? I have to remove the inner pane from my vista views to clean out the film that has fallen off the inner pane of glass. I am thinking that I would like to place a dark solar gray shade in place of the existing shade which cuts the vista view off completly when its pulled down. This woulkd just lessen the sun coming through to a great deal, but not eliminate it.

Has anyone ever done this?
Is it a good idea?
Is it hard to replace that shade?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by JohnG

Am wondering if this idea has merit? I have to remove the inner pane from my vista views to clean out the film that has fallen off the inner pane of glass. I am thinking that I would like to place a dark solar gray shade in place of the existing shade which cuts the vista view off completly when its pulled down. This woulkd just lessen the sun coming through to a great deal, but not eliminate it.

Has anyone ever done this?
Is it a good idea?
Is it hard to replace that shade?

John,
From experience getting to the shades is a pain, it requires partial removal of interior panels. What I would do if you want shading is to put a high grade window film on the vista view itself. We use the silver bubble sheild in ours to cut down on the heat, then just pull the solid shade down over it. I like keeping my vista views clear, it makes it easier for me to see outside when the awnings are in use or the curtains closed.

Aaron

[JohnG]

I was afraid that it maight be a complicated matter. I was hoping to just unfasten a screw or rivet or two and it would just slip out. I really want to place a smoked glass slide there in its place so I may consider going to the hardship of doing all the work.
Have to remove those film scales from inside the windows anyway. I don't have a choice on that.

[Chaplain Kent]

John- I am interested in how you are planning on getting into the vista view window to clean it out.
Thanks,
Chaplain Kent

[tin can luv]

I removed mine (in my 76) to cover them in Aluminum to match the rest of the airstream. I too had the problem of flaking, so I busted out the inner pane of glass... (then ended up removing the vista views to seal them... stupid, I should have planned that better, and kept both panes of glass).

After removing several rivets, and pulling back the walls, (kind of neat to see inside) I found the track, which I had previously noticed was cracked, to be very brittle and easily broken. Lost a big chunk of it, when I pulled out the vista view. Now it doesn't lood that great.

BUT, if the track is in good condition... and you are not scared of drilling rivets, (it took me a while to get comfortable with doing this, affraid that I would screw things up... which is hard to do) it's not a bad idea to get the desired effect. But then, you have silver rivets that don't match the painted ones.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by tin can luv

... But then, you have silver rivets that don't match the painted ones.

Ron,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news But they do make painted rivets! You could use a little model paint if they bother you too much I have been known to use white out on occasion too!

Aaron

[tin can luv]

Not a problem in my case, but would be for anyone else. The entire process of removing the vista shade was much easier than I had expected.

See... regular rivets match the walls....

THey really should come out with a paint to match the original rivets... call it airstream rivet tan.....LOL

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by tin can luv

After removing several rivets, and pulling back the walls, (kind of neat to see inside) I found the track, which I had previously noticed was cracked, to be very brittle and easily broken. Lost a big chunk of it, when I pulled out the vista view. Now it doesn't lood that great.

I'm going to tackle this in a few days, But I have to ask you do you think the track is repairable with something like an expoxy or JB Weld? Or can it be replaced with an aluminum window track ( I have a lot of that around here that is for regular windows on a house)
By the way those pictures really help...Thanks

Oh, I'm not afraid of the rivet thing, but I think I will look for an epoxy paint in that color or very close and ruff up the rivet head prior to its use so it will hold the expoxy paint better.

[JohnG]

Oh Guess I will take some pics too.

Like to know your opinion once I finish it. But it may take a little while to do since I have to remove each shade and have the new shades made at the glass shop. They will be transparent Dark Solor Gray.

[JohnG]

Just did a very close inspection on the vista views. All 3 of them look to have only an inner and an outer pane. I was under the impression that they had 3 panes, inner, middle, and outer.

I can't seem to find a way to remove the inner pane. One thought is to cut the molding that holds the inner pane all the way around. Will the pane be able to be removed if I cut the molding? Breaking the glass is the second option I guess.

[tin can luv]

because of the curved shape of the track, I think you will be best off trying to repair what is there. There has to be something out there that will help in fixing cracks, and missing pieces. I am not as familiar with compounds like that.

As far as the window, I don't know if it will just pop out, after you pull out hte seal... that's a better question for others. But there was a thread about busting out the inner pane, which Ijust felt was the easiest thing to do.

Looking forward to the finished product.

I'll throw in two other pics taken after I broke the inner pane. I used a 'center punch' from Home Depot, super cheap, hit it with a hammer several times, and voila! Pull it on out...
Ron

[JohnG]

Ron,

Is it a safety glass or does it burst all over the place? It looks like the one you removed stayed together.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by JohnG

Ron,

Is it a safety glass or does it burst all over the place? It looks like the one you removed stayed together.

John,
On mine the outside glass is tempered? the inside was not! It shattered in sharp shards. (say that three times fast ) I covered mine in duct tape and used a spring loaded punch. Punch was about $8 at Lowe's. You might have to punch it a couple of times to get a decent break, however watch how many times....I got a little too happy and had to buy an new vista view I would post pictures but I am on a sllllllllllllow dial up.

Aaron

[JohnG]

Once you have the inside pane removed and the film cleaned from the outer pane, do you replace the inner pane, or just leave the vista view with a single pane of glass?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by JohnG

Once you have the inside pane removed and the film cleaned from the outer pane, do you replace the inner pane, or just leave the vista view with a single pane of glass?

John,

Leave it out, you will need to clean and recaulk the outer pain then use a gasket of some type to close off the gap and hold it in place while the caulk dries. I used some 3/8" clear reinforced hose. Someone posted a series of photos on how to do this on a 76 model. I can't post my pictures at the moment.

Aaron

[JohnG]

The service manual says under Vista View Coloaseout and Shade Removal and Replacement
1 Remove drape
2 Remove roof lockers and/or panels to permit inside skin to be loosened approximately six (6) feet aft of Vista View wondow. (Care must be taken to prevent metal from buckling)

No need to type the rest of what the manual says. My question is concerning Care must be taken to prevent metal from buckling

What must be done to take this care they are speaking of? The manual does not cover this area very well at all. Has anyone got an idea here?

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by JohnG

The service manual says under Vista View Coloaseout and Shade Removal and Replacement
1 Remove drape
2 Remove roof lockers and/or panels to permit inside skin to be loosened approximately six (6) feet aft of Vista View wondow. (Care must be taken to prevent metal from buckling)

No need to type the rest of what the manual says. My question is concerning Care must be taken to prevent metal from buckling

What must be done to take this care they are speaking of? The manual does not cover this area very well at all. Has anyone got an idea here?

Does anyone have any advise that would help? Any ideas that might be ok to try out?

[JohnG]

By Care must be taken to prevent metal from buckling are they talking about inside support such bracing floor to ceiling?

Surely someone must have an idea???

[lynn]

Originally Posted by JohnG

By Care must be taken to prevent metal from buckling are they talking about inside support such bracing floor to ceiling?

Surely someone must have an idea???

Check out the Airstream 2005 trailers, they are using vista views again. They use a day night shade to control the light coming through,no more metal slides.

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by lynn

Check out the Airstream 2005 trailers, they are using vista views again. They use a day night shade to control the light coming through,no more metal slides.

Where did you find them at. I can't locate them anywhere.........