Fixing Foggy Fenestration

[Alumaholic]

Greetings Fellow Alumaholics.
My '76 Sovereign came with dual pane (or should that be pain), tinted windows. After 30 years, the film between the glass of all six operable windows has bubbled and turned into an ugly mess.

I have read all the posts on fixing the vista view windows. Has anyone out there successfully fixed the larger windows using the "break the inside pane technique?"
Are there other techniques you would like to recommend?
Ken
Albuquerque

[Alumaholic]

Someone out there has dealt with this. I just know you have.

[wahoonc]

Ken,
FWIW I definitely think they are a pain. I did the Vista View thing, but I have never even seen a thermopane window on an Airstream. I do know they exist. Can you post a couple of pictures of the inside frame and the outside frame, it might give us some insight...I know with the Vista View you can't completely remove the glass from the frame on the 75 on. I also know that if you screw up and break BOTH panes it is PAIN...$250+ and 57 rivets worth

Aaron

[Alumaholic]

Thanks Aaron. I will take pictures tomorrow and post them.
Ken

[balrgn]

I have done my Vista's in the Trade Wind, check out my page if you's like?

http://www.balrgn.com/Airstream/airs...oject_2004.htm

[wahoonc]

Ken,
Just a heads up...balgrn has the old style vista views...it doesn't work that way with the newer ones. I have pictures of the process somewhere...

Aaron

[Alumaholic]

Thanks balgrn and Aaron,
Some previous owner has done the job on the upper Vista View windows, and they look great. Its the double pane, hinge at the top, operable windows that have bubbled and become translucent, as well as the lower Vista View windows below them.
Ken
#8654
Albuquerque

[SafeHarbor]

Me, too. And (gasp!) the center seal of my curbside front picture window is sagging now.

Lamar

[Alumaholic]

Okay fellas, here's what I am up against. This is the window above the bunk on the roadside.



Next post will show window at dining table on roadside.

Ken
#8654
Albuquerque

[Alumaholic]

Here's a shot of the window above dining table on roadside




Ken
#8654
Albuquerque

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by klevan

Okay fellas, here's what I am up against. This is the window above the bunk on the roadside.

Attachment 17885

Next post will show window at dining table on roadside.

Ken
#8654
Albuquerque

Hmmm, looks like you should be able to use a razor to scrape it off, if you are concerened about scratching, VintageTrailor has some cool ceramic blades for cheap money, do a key word search on his site for razor.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by balrgn

Hmmm, looks like you should be able to use a razor to scrape it off, if you are concerened about scratching, VintageTrailor has some cool ceramic blades for cheap money, do a key word search on his site for razor.

Unfortunately he has the double pained windows...the peeling crap is in between the glass like a vista view....

Aaron

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Unfortunately he has the double pained windows...the peeling crap is in between the glass like a vista view....

Aaron

Oh Bummer!

[Alumaholic]

Balgrn,
Thanks for the tip about the scraper. It's on order!
But as Aaron points out, the goop is between the panes on the doubl pane glass.
Thins I can break the inner pane like you did on the Vista Views?
Ken

[bryanl]

My 75 has bubbles in the windows, too. The only way I have seen to fix them is to replace the glass, which means, essentially, replacing the windows.

this is an ouch as they have Airstream quality pricing.

[balrgn]

Originally Posted by klevan

Balgrn,
Thanks for the tip about the scraper. It's on order!
But as Aaron points out, the goop is between the panes on the doubl pane glass.
Thins I can break the inner pane like you did on the Vista Views?
Ken

I lucked out, did not need to break anything. Thre must be away to disassemble. I'll look at a friends 31'er. Will be a week or so, goin south on vacation!

[wahoonc]

75 was the split year on the Vista Views after a certain point they went to the ones like I have, where you have to break the inner pane to get it cleaned out. I did that on mine, but slipped up with the punch on one of mine and had to replace it. Cost was around $250 57 rivets and then after a good hard rain it leaks...between the glass and the frame! And I am not going to take it back out! So I cut the seal back and resealed it with Vulkem, needless to say Airstream's QC was not good on that unit.

Klevan, can you get some close up pictures of the inside near the frame? I suspect they are made like the corner windows on the front of mine. I have heard of people breaking the inner panes on those but I have not seen it done. I did notice that yours has the holes drilled in the outside to help drain the condensation from between the glass.

Aaron

[bryanl]

I have a good example of the 75 change. A friend has a 31' built in the same month and factory as my 29' but he has the easy to fix vista views. I don't.

Of course, pulling the inside skin to straighten ribs (anyone have a spare rib? we need one or two - and how do you get one of those to Reno?) helps with access.

[Alumaholic]

Very observant, Aaron. Yes, some PO has drilled from the outside to drain condensation. The double paned windows are now condensation free ; however, the UV protectant film has bubbled .

The advise is good. I'll take inside shots as you request.
Ken

[WendyW]

Hi, I've got a '79 Trade Wind with Vista View bubbles. Am I going to be able to fix them like Balrgn or are they different on my model. They look like double pane (pain) to me.
Thanks, Wendy