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stanwilder · 06-28-2009, 03:27 PM

I've just installed a new A/C on my 76 AS and since I'm in Texas home of the 101 degree day for 30 days in a row. I am considering putting dark window tint on my windows of the 31 foot Airstream.
The AS had degraded window tint film when I got it six years ago. It had gone from an original color to a splotchy color of purple so I scraped it off.
I like to see through the trailer when I’m towing so I won’t be installing tint on the front or rear windows.
I’ve only got an awning on one side so I can see that I’d be getting some value from the tint but I often skip lowering the awning when my camp area is windy.
Has anyone out there had positive results by lowering the demand on their A/C unit?
I'm also interested in reducing fading of carpet, upholstery, drapes.
My new elastic on the bottoms of my curtains lasted less than a year because of UV degrading of the elastic straps. Where-as the top elastic straps is still resilient and active.

Stan Wilder
Dallas TX

klattu · 06-28-2009, 03:31 PM

I like tint.
And it is removable...not easy...but it is.
It lowers demand on my eyes, and looks cool, so I think its cool.

overlander63 · 06-28-2009, 03:36 PM

We put limo tint on ours, it helps a lot. If you want, you can get the mirror type tint, which looks silver from outside.

wahoonc · 06-28-2009, 04:13 PM

As a general rule I don't like window tint, it makes it hard to see out at night and easier for others to see in

I use Reflectix in the windows on the side that is taking the brunt of the sun, in all windows when the trailer is stored or I happen to be working nights and need to sleep during the heat of the day. I cut is to fit the window and it softly wedges in, I put it from the outside so it is trapped between the window and the screen, seems to be most effective this way. I can take it out if I want to use that window for it's intended purpose

Aaron

76sovereign · 06-28-2009, 06:53 PM

We went to Lowe's and bought the cling type dark window tint. We love it and it is inexpensive and fairly easy to install.

Clean the windows very well with a lent free cloth, Cut it to size, wet the windows, peel the backing off and squeegee the bubbles out.

Our windows have what i call "Lava Lamp windows" bubbles between the glass. Putting the tint over them not only helped out with cooling the trailer but from the outside looks awesome! It was a quick fix until we can get the windows removed, cleaned and install permanent tint.

We have had no trouble with it coming off on the hwys. I just clean them as you would normally and remove a bubble or 2 every once in a while.

Maryw164 · 06-28-2009, 06:58 PM

We scraped off the old purple tint also. Here is the thread I posted on it.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454/diy-window-tinting-and-new-seals-gaskets-52144.html

We can see out from the inside very well. It's blocks 70% of the suns heat, is low-E, and has UV protection. It made a huge difference! Now it'smuch brighter inside, but cooler.

Mary

76sovereign · 06-28-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maryw164

We scraped off the old purple tint also. Here is the thread I posted on it.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454/diy-window-tinting-and-new-seals-gaskets-52144.html

We can see out from the inside very well. It's blocks 70% of the suns heat, is low-E, and has UV protection. It made a huge difference! Now it'smuch brighter inside, but cooler.

Mary

I tried the link and it seems to be broken....Would U check on it for us? Thank U

Inland RV Center, In · 06-28-2009, 07:10 PM

Window tint is nice.

It does help a little with the sun.

But, it will also develope bubbles in it, in time, if you use the film type tint.

Airstream couldn't stop the bubbles.

That's why they went to tinted glass.

Andy

Maryw164 · 06-28-2009, 07:11 PM

Try it again. This happened to me before, and when I reported the broken link to support they said it was fine. But it wasn't fine at first, then it worked later for some reason. I think it's a forums glitch maybe.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454/diy-window-tinting-and-new-seals-gaskets-52144.html

If it doesn't work try copying and pasting into a new window. I tried it that way and it worked.

Maryw164 · 06-28-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Window tint is nice.

It does help a little with the sun.

But, it will also develope bubbles in it, in time, if you use the film type tint.

Airstream couldn't stop the bubbles.

That's why they went to tinted glass.

Andy

For those of us with "vintage" AS's, replacing with tinted glass is not a feasible option. Saying that is kind of like offering a piece of candy to a diabetic, when you know they can't eat it.

Mary

stanwilder · 06-29-2009, 02:39 PM

Thanks for the information on tinted windows, economy and practicality.
My next query is about whether to install, Mini Blinds or some other form of privacy shade on the windows.
I favor regular roll down windows shades over other window screening with more mechanical parts.
My trailer had Mini blinds when I got it but as age is a killer of fabrics the string bindings were rotted and the blinds un-usable.
Stan Wilder
76 Sovereign
Dallas TX

arodriguez60 · 06-29-2009, 03:16 PM

Tamara installed some sunshade window bug screen on our windows and that helped a lot. you can't even see thru the screen door. It blocks out 90% of the sun.
Phifer
48" x 84" Charcoal Super Solar

Item #: 45067 Model: 3001975

arodriguez60 · 06-29-2009, 03:17 PM

sorry I forgot she got it at Lowe's

Maryw164 · 06-29-2009, 03:32 PM

That stuff is great for blocking view & sun in during the day, but how is it at night? I don't think it would provide any privacy. It's window screening , right? I will post pics of my blinds later today for you Stan.

Mary

arodriguez60 · 06-29-2009, 03:47 PM

It is pretty dark. I've been outside at night smoking and looked in and you can't see much with the lights on!

Maryw164 · 06-29-2009, 05:39 PM

Stan,

Ours had dark wood blinds that didn't work right anyway, so we took them off and put up 2" faux wood blinds. They are a light honey color, not too dark, not too light. I got them at Lowes. We lucked out they were on the clearance rack. We only paid $17 each for them. The UV protection on the window tint should keep them cords from rotting in the sun. The PO had the blinds installed using the curtain track with bolts & nuts. We did the same with the new blinds. The front curved window how ever we will have a curtain for that I will make.I bought the Eclipse window drapery panels at Target (they sell them at Walmart, Kmart & Target) that I will use to make them with. Cuts out 99% of the light, and insulated. I am also going to make small panels for at either end of the blinds to finish off the look. This will also help keep the sun out were the blinds slightly pull away from the wall. We used the hold down brackets that came with them to secure the bottom slat to the wall. They were originally too long and I just had to shorten them. That was pretty easy, as they include directions with the blinds on how to do this. Both Lowes and Home Depot have a selection of off the rack faux wood blinds in white (levelor?), and HD has a little bit darker them mine honey oak color. They are of course more than $17 each. On average a 36" blind will run you about $30-$35; more if you choose the "Bali (in store) or Grandwood (online only)" brand at HD. some products are only online, others are available in the store.

HD:
Faux Wood - Blinds - Window Treatments - Decor at The Home Depot

Lowes:
Blinds

They have a variety of colors: white, cream, tan; and have both 1" and 2" size slats. You can choose the 2" faux woods or the 1" vinyl type depending on your style preference. I've seen the 1" size used in conjunction with the curtain in the track, if you have that still in yours (both top & bottom). We only have the top track in ours. Some of the choices in store can be cut to size, but this is really not necessary as the standard 35-36" size works fine. We used 2 separate blinds on the street side wall bleow the vista windows, as one large blind across would have been cumbersome to lift when we needed to. We attached the blinds with the bolts as this is how the PO did, and it seemed the best method due to the wall curve. You just have to drill a hole at each end of the blind in the header about 1 1/2-2" from the end (it depends on where the mechanisms are). Insert the bolts up in the track, feed through the header and secure underneath with the nuts. I will probably get some craft paint or something to paint the nuts with to camoflauge them. The last photo is the original dark wood blinds. If you have any other questions just PM me.

Mary

Maryw164 · 06-29-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arodriguez60

It is pretty dark. I've been outside at night smoking and looked in and you can't see much with the lights on!

Just checked out your photos on your reno. They look really fab!

What did you use to redo the front of your fridge?

Mary

sd90mac · 06-29-2009, 06:08 PM

Hi,

We had Tammy, Silver Threads on the forum, make our drapes, and they are thick enough to help block peeping toms at night. We also put the tinting on the windows, Terry did, and it really cuts down on the heat. We have 3 fantastic fans that we use if not really hot, and they work well.

So, any one of the 3 or any combination helps. The tinting has been on the windows for 2 years, and no bubble problems as yet, but if they do develope, replacing is cost effective for us. As Mary said, replacing the windows in a vintage is not an option, at least not for us.

Marie

76sovereign · 06-30-2009, 10:44 AM

IS there a certain UV elastic out there to replace on the curtains Or will any I fined work?

arodriguez60 · 06-30-2009, 11:19 AM

I used the countertop laminate from lowe's. It is the same one that is on the counter top. The old facing on the fridge comes off with two screws on the black trim. just cut the new using the old as a template and put it in the place of the old. Now you have a fridge that matches the rest of the interior or compliments it!