Airstream Window Help After Vandalism

[emagellan]

Hi all,

I have a 1963 19' Airstream Trailer that I have been lovingly converting to a cute food cart. Before you fall down in restoration agony, I purchased it completely gutted, so this is an improvement...

Anyway, I had a business partner with whom I entrusted to keep it in a hanger during the hurricane months. Unfortunately said partner, without my knowledge, removed it from storage and left it in a place (unlocked) where it was vandalized Thank goodness the body and frame were unharmed, however,... the rascals decided to do a number on the interior of my front window by using some sort of putty to glue a piece of flooring to it. They even went so far as to push the putty glue substance through the original screen I'm not sure exactly what they used... I only had Mother's Mag & Aluminum polish in the trailer as well as locktite sealer, but that was clear... it looks more like the Mother's to be honest or something they took the effort to purchase themselves. Hopefully the pics uploaded...

My question is, does anyone know what I can use to remove this? I'm willing to scrape it off with a razor and put effort into this if I know that it can be salvaged. Not sure what to do about the screen though... Alternatively, do you think I should look into replacing it instead? Appreciate any input!!

Also, are DNA tests affordable, because they left their chewed gum on the floor as well...! (joking about that last bit)

[HiHoAgRV]

A little poking will probably show that those windows are rebuild able...

AND

That is a 1954 or older trailer, not a '63.

Fairley collectable.

[emagellan]

Thank you, Just curious how you could tell the year? My title said 1963 and there is also this decal on the side by the door (see pic) The number shown is "3063" so I figured that also had something to do with the year?

[dwightdi]

You can roughly tell the age of the trailer by counting the number of segments in the hemispheres. I have a 1963 Overlander. It has 7 curved (stretched formed) segments that make up the hemisphere. Yours has 13 segments that are made from non-formed aluminum.

[Melody Ranch]

The pictures which you show are from an a 1953 or 1954 Airstream. Anyway it is a flat window and can be replaced cheaply and fairly easy. Goo Gone at Home Depot will get rid of the mess....if not, get a small can of Acetone or MEK. You will need rubber gloves and lots of fresh air.

[Tim A.]

Scrapers which use single-edged razor blades are available at many hardware stores. They are often used to remove paint from windows and might well work for your mess. The blades are cheap, easily exchangeable, and have enough flex to help in scraping. Just don't get your fingers in front of one!

Tim

[cwf]

Be careful on glass... you want to shear the goop from the glass.. just don't push too hard and possibly shatter the glass.. as mentioned, use GOOD gloves to minimize chemical absorption and on top, leather work gloves...

[emagellan]

Wow, I feel pretty silly. I've owned this trailer for 3 years now and had no idea. Thank you so much! This would explain why I've measured it at 18' and yet there was no 18' trailer the year my title says... so much for the title?

[Tim A.]

I should have mentioned that the sharp edge of the razor-blade scraper is pushed from clean glass so that it goes underneath the edge of the mess. Sort of like the blade of a bulldozer.

Tim

[rvb]

Originally Posted by emagellan

Wow, I feel pretty silly. I've owned this trailer for 3 years now and had no idea. Thank you so much! This would explain why I've measured it at 18' and yet there was no 18' trailer the year my title says... so much for the title?

Another bit of info: The length is measured from the tip of the hitch to the back bumper not the body length.

[emagellan]

I really appreciate your feedback! According to this, everything seems to line up with a 1953 21' http://vintageairstream.com/photo-ar...ying-cloud-21/

Do you happen to know if the numbers in my picture earlier ( O-3063 ) verify that this is in fact an Ohio made '53? i'm just referencing the serial number range listed on this link... Also, my tail lights are circular... but this site said the years of '51-'54 generally had rectilinear tail lights? Because of this, there are certain details that are confusing to me, but i'd really like to solve this airstream mystery! Here is what they said about the lights.. http://vintageairstream.com/photo-ar...ng-cloud-21-5/

Also, here's a picture of the back of my airstream I took the first day I bought it.

[overlander63]

FYI, the 1963 trailers had plain, plate glass in the windows. You could just go to a glass shop, and get another piece, and install it.

[emagellan]

I've got a 1953... or '54, i'm trying to figure that out now as my title was wrong.