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Old 04-16-2016, 11:43 AM   #1
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2013 25' Flying Cloud
Carrollton , Georgia
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Window gaskets stick

Each time we try to open our windows the glass is stuck to the rubber gaskets that seal the windows. Any suggestions on something to condition or lubricate them so we don't have to pry the windows open with a screwdriver?
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Old 04-16-2016, 11:54 AM   #2
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I tried all kinds of lubricant with no lasting success. For a while I used a credit card from the outside to break the seal and get the window open. I finally drilled a small hole into the inside window frame. I use a small wooden dowel to push the window open from the inside. It works great without having to go out in the rain to open a window.

Brian
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Old 04-16-2016, 12:03 PM   #3
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There is a silicone jell in tube that is made for this purpose, non greasy and will not stain. I have a tube pur. yrs. ago, last long time.
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Old 04-16-2016, 12:49 PM   #4
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dielectric grease from your auto store is the best stuff for those gaskets and any weatherstripping
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Old 04-16-2016, 12:55 PM   #5
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303 Aerospace Protectant works well on the gaskets to keep them fresh and lubricated. Makes the window much less prone to sticking.
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Old 04-16-2016, 02:16 PM   #6
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Thanks for the suggestions. We will give them a try.
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Old 04-16-2016, 02:25 PM   #7
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Owners manual recommends the Aerospace 303 same as Steve said. Dealer told me no silicone based lubricants. With use they won't stick. 303 comes as moist towelettes which are easy to use.
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Old 04-16-2016, 02:49 PM   #8
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We use aerosol PTFE (teflon) dry lubricant (also sold as a mold release for candles, etc.). Walmart carries the item below, but the product we have (also made by Liquid Wrench) is labeled differently. It dries as a thin white film of PTFE, and prevents the glass from sticking to the rubber-like window seal.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Liquid-Wre...icant/16816128
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Old 04-17-2016, 12:04 PM   #9
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Thanks for the suggestions. We will give them a try.
Simple silicone sprays, when done properly, stops rubber gaskets from sticking for at least a year.

Simple and cheap to find every where.

Andy
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Old 05-02-2016, 01:01 PM   #10
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Mount Angel , Oregon
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Sticky window gasket

The rubber gasket / seal broke free of the aluminum window frame when I tried to open a window. This was at the top of the window,at the two corners, most likely due to the extreme heat from the fire this trailer was in. Will this require a new replacement seal, or can it be successfully "glued" back to the aluminum? Any ideas regards which product to use?

Thank you for any suggestions. We are almost ready to take this trailer back out on the road after a year of hard elbow de-greasing! She won't be perfect, but good enough for many years of happy camping.

Susan
Aerospace 303 here I come
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Old 05-02-2016, 01:18 PM   #11
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Susan,

Is the seal messed up—melted partly, broken, etc.? If intact, will it go back and stay there? I don't know whether they are glued when installed at the factory, but you may be able to tell by looking for glue on the frame or seal or by seeing if the rest of the seal is glued. If glued, you will need to find a glue that sticks to both aluminum and rubber (or whatever the seal is made of) and can stand the temp extremes the trailer goes through.

Someday you may have to replace the seal and if the glue is too good, you may not be able to remove the seal without cutting and scraping until you wish you did it another way. My guess is that the seal is not installed with glue.

If no glue, probably best to get a replacement seal that will stay in place. I suspect you will be surprised at the seal's price.

Opening the windows when the seals are new is a frequent problem. After few years, the seals stop sticking if sprayed with silicone every spring and maybe later in the travel season. Ours stuck and we used a very gently applied screwdriver to loosen the bond at a number of places until the window opens. Others use credit cards or some thin plastic tool. After 9 years, the windows never stick and haven't for years. I just spray them every year with silicone. The Owner's Manual suggests cleaning them before spraying, but I never bother and have had no problems. A dirty seal may stick less.

Gene
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Old 05-02-2016, 01:34 PM   #12
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Gene,
Thanks for responding. The seal is structurally intact and without damage. It does need a slight stretch to fully seat into the corners, so I don't know if this is the way it should be, or if it shrank during the storage facility fire.
There is what appears to be a sticky tape that remains attached to the window frame / came off the back of the seal.
Were you suggesting that I will faint at the price of a new seal, or are they cheap? I was hoping for an quick,easy fix (hah!) as my extended family invited us to join them at Owyhee Campground this weekend. I am really getting the bug to get this trailer rolling.

Susan
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Old 05-02-2016, 02:29 PM   #13
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Gene,
Thanks for responding. The seal is structurally intact and without damage. It does need a slight stretch to fully seat into the corners, so I don't know if this is the way it should be, or if it shrank during the storage facility fire.
There is what appears to be a sticky tape that remains attached to the window frame / came off the back of the seal.
Were you suggesting that I will faint at the price of a new seal, or are they cheap? I was hoping for an quick,easy fix (hah!) as my extended family invited us to join them at Owyhee Campground this weekend. I am really getting the bug to get this trailer rolling.

Susan
Susan.

The double flared window gasket was updated with a "hollow D shaped" gasket.

It's pretty cheap per foot. Parts stocking dealers usually have it.

It has the white double sided tape on the business side, BUT, it will not hold properly. Simply add a small coating of 3M black super weatherstrip adhesive to that white part and to the window sash. Wait about 10 minutes and then install it, starting at the bottom center. Cut the gasket about 1/4 inch too long. Add adhesive to both ends, and wait another 10 minutes. Then stick the 2 ends together and push it down on the sash. That gives you a gasket with no cuts, as they say.

Andy
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Old 05-02-2016, 04:28 PM   #14
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Do what Andy says.

If you can use standard off the shelf weather striping, good. If you need a special seal for a vintage vehicle, then it can be expensive.

Gene
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Old 05-02-2016, 05:29 PM   #15
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Do what Andy says.

If you can use standard off the shelf weather striping, good. If you need a special seal for a vintage vehicle, then it can be expensive.

Gene
The 3 M super weatherstrip adhesive is available almost everywhere.

It's cost is less than $ 15.00 a tube, and will save many headaches if used.

The yellow adhesive DOES NOT do the job, long term.

Andy
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Old 05-02-2016, 06:05 PM   #16
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loose window gasket

While you two, Gene and Andy, were writing the last 2 posts, I was outside trying the 3M weather striping gasket metal to rubber glue. I applied both sides, waited 10 minutes, put into position, held firm for a bit, then closed the widow down tight. My fingers are crossed that it will hold and seal. If not, I'll start with new.
Thanks, again, for the info. I am always so nervous to try anything. But, this appears to have worked!

Susan
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Old 05-02-2016, 06:27 PM   #17
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While you two, Gene and Andy, were writing the last 2 posts, I was outside trying the 3M weather striping gasket metal to rubber glue. I applied both sides, waited 10 minutes, put into position, held firm for a bit, then closed the widow down tight. My fingers are crossed that it will hold and seal. If not, I'll start with new.
Thanks, again, for the info. I am always so nervous to try anything. But, this appears to have worked!

Susan
Susan.

Good job.

Keep the window closed for 2 days.

Then open the window and spray a lot of silicone spray on that gasket, until it runs off.

That takes care of that window for a year or better.

Next job ???

Andy
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