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12-13-2020, 10:25 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
Newport Beach
, California
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 54
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Cracked window rock guard
My front window center rock guard got a hole during a recent travel day. I did a temp fix on the crack and hole so I could keep traveling with a protected window. That being said, I think it looks terrible and I want to replace the tinted acrylic piece only since the frame is in excellent condition still.
When shopping I noticed they only sell the whole assembly? It is over $600 which seems like overkill for my issue. Does anyone have a lead for replacing the acrylic only?
I can either hire someone to do the repair or I can do it myself if I can find the part. Advice/leads would be greatly appreciated.
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12-13-2020, 12:56 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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Are you talking about the flat section in the center? Our town, and I suspect most places, has several commercial plastic shops that sell acrylic sheets and that can cut and fit it. You could at least buy it cut to size. Lots of signs made from this stuff. I expect a lot of glass shops can do it too. Lots of acrylic storm doors out there. You can order acrylic sheets from Amazon but I expect a lot of waste depending upon the actual size.
Glad you had the rock guard aren't you?
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12-13-2020, 01:23 PM
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#3
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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12-13-2020, 06:06 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
Newport Beach
, California
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M.
Are you talking about the flat section in the center? Our town, and I suspect most places, has several commercial plastic shops that sell acrylic sheets and that can cut and fit it. You could at least buy it cut to size. Lots of signs made from this stuff. I expect a lot of glass shops can do it too. Lots of acrylic storm doors out there. You can order acrylic sheets from Amazon but I expect a lot of waste depending upon the actual size.
Glad you had the rock guard aren't you?
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100% yes
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12-13-2020, 06:18 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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I replaced the acrylic in my center guard a couple of months ago. A glass shop cut the replacement piece for me for less than 70 bucks.
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12-13-2020, 10:49 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
Newport Beach
, California
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH
I replaced the acrylic in my center guard a couple of months ago. A glass shop cut the replacement piece for me for less than 70 bucks.
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Good to know, thank you! I was really worried it wouldn’t match.
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12-14-2020, 09:10 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1998 34' Limited
Lawrenceville
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 220
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I have replaced several curved ones. I use Lexan (polycarbonate) instead of acrylic (plexiglas)
It is much tougher, easier to cut, flexible and more expensive. About $100.00 for a 4x8 sheet.
Google lexan distributors in your area. They have a color which is pretty perfect match . Don't remember with certainty what they call it's but it may be "smoke."
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12-14-2020, 09:14 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2008 19' Bambi
2012 23' Flying Cloud
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Bandera
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 786
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Wow, just an observation.....given the height and center placement, that had to have been tossed up from an oncoming vehicle.
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12-14-2020, 09:21 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
1974 31' Sovereign
Milton
, ON
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,225
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fwjumper
I have replaced several curved ones. I use Lexan (polycarbonate) instead of acrylic (plexiglas)
It is much tougher, easier to cut, flexible and more expensive. About $100.00 for a 4x8 sheet.
Google lexan distributors in your area. They have a color which is pretty perfect match . Don't remember with certainty what they call it's but it may be "smoke."
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I agree, go with Lexan. It may be more expensive, but you're less likely to have to replace it.
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12-14-2020, 09:43 AM
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#10
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Married with Airstream
2004 25' International CCD
Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 934
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I also agree, go with Lexan - darn near unbreakable
__________________
La Dolce Vita Brick & Mona
We're Married With Airstream dot com
2004 International 25CCD Registered Name "Blue Streak"
2013 F-150HD FX4 SuperCrew Lariart (MaxTow) "Red Dragon"
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12-14-2020, 10:03 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
2018 28' Tommy Bahama
Silver City
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 76
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Your picture doesn't seem like the damage is on an Airstream - at best, it looks like the rear window of a camper shell. So, what's the model of your AS? Also looks more like a puncture from a BB, not a rock.
Good luck with your DIY venture - you can do it as others have said.
Happy trails!!
__________________
Class A Safari Trek 2830 - SOLD; TC Lance 1010 - SOLD;
TT Arctic Fox 30U - SOLD; TT Forest River Mini - SOLD;
Class B+ Pleasure Way Pursuit - FS; $$$$ - GONE
If it ain't broke I can break it
A dime still makes a pretty good screwdriver
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12-14-2020, 10:07 AM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
2017 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
El Paso
, TX
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 17
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What is a window rock guard? Are you talking about a sprinter airstream? Sorry, the picture was not clear.
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12-14-2020, 10:12 AM
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#13
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Silver Star
1970 23' Safari
Victoria
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 352
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I owned a glass shop for almost 40 years and when I did mine a few years ago I used Lexan. Lexan is unbreakable Plexi.
If you can remove frame.... then remove old plexiglass and use this for a template... take it to a shop that sells Plexi/lLexan and have them cut it for you. Mine was a bit of a battle but worked out great. I believe I used 3mm tinted Lexan. Have fun
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12-14-2020, 10:15 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Washington
, Missouri
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,591
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So joined the star club ( 3 small star cracks) that are developing after our last trip and was thinking about this last night as a winter project. Thinging... need to find that saved link link with a great downloadable pdf that janet arranged tobe retained.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...ml#post2393936
I need to reread as this as i believe it was a replacement post and i'm not there, yet.
__________________
WashMoBob
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12-14-2020, 11:18 AM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2015 25' FB International
my
, house
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 86
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Quote:
Originally Posted by journeydog
Your picture doesn't seem like the damage is on an Airstream - at best, it looks like the rear window of a camper shell.
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Appears OP took the picture from inside the trailer. Could be wrong .
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12-14-2020, 03:53 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rucos
I owned a glass shop for almost 40 years and when I did mine a few years ago I used Lexan. Lexan is unbreakable Plexi.
If you can remove frame.... then remove old plexiglass and use this for a template... take it to a shop that sells Plexi/lLexan and have them cut it for you. Mine was a bit of a battle but worked out great. I believe I used 3mm tinted Lexan. Have fun
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I am due to replace all 3 panels. Could you give details?
Can you flatten the old plexi...with heat...without heat to make template?
Can the lexan be flexed to the curved frame without heat and danger of cracking/crazing?
What thickness and size of retention cording?
Any other tips?
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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12-15-2020, 04:52 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2018 30' Classic
Lake Charles
, SW Louisiana
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 279
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Yes, retail from Airstream its expensive. That said, when purchased it comes complete with the hinge assy, gaskets, and rubber latches and bracketry so its more than just the solar plexiglass.
Agree, no need to change all those items and a glass shop can likely do a good job of replacing just the shattered plexiglass but you will have to remove it from your coach which will require drilling out the rivets at the both ends of the hinge to remove it, then replacing them.
We replaced all our front solar shields and stainless segment guards of which all got pitted up from a trip to/from the lower 48 and Alaska. In doing so, we also applied XPEL clear-bra (i.e. paint protection film) on all 5 segments to add further protection. Was not cheap
__________________
"Finding the Roads that Await Us!"
Rick & Lydia Williams
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12-15-2020, 07:43 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
2017 19' International
Rosemere
, Quebec
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reginac
My front window center rock guard got a hole during a recent travel day. I did a temp fix on the crack and hole so I could keep traveling with a protected window. That being said, I think it looks terrible and I want to replace the tinted acrylic piece only since the frame is in excellent condition still.
When shopping I noticed they only sell the whole assembly? It is over $600 which seems like overkill for my issue. Does anyone have a lead for replacing the acrylic only?
I can either hire someone to do the repair or I can do it myself if I can find the part. Advice/leads would be greatly appreciated.
Attachment 384825
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What is a Temp fix on the crack and a hole?
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12-16-2020, 07:08 AM
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#19
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Kill Devil Hills
, North Carolina
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRH
I replaced the acrylic in my center guard a couple of months ago. A glass shop cut the replacement piece for me for less than 70 bucks.
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This sounds like the answer
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12-20-2020, 10:19 AM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
Newport Beach
, California
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by banderabob
Wow, just an observation.....given the height and center placement, that had to have been tossed up from an oncoming vehicle.
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I’m pretty sure it got kicked back from a semi during a rain storm. It was pretty bad that day.
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