Fogged Windows

harold1946 wrote:

Hank MI wrote:
I'm sure Dave Root does good work but his DIY kit seems a little overpriced. A 66' roller of spacer, sealant, cleaner, gloves and instructions, $286. A utility knife, extra blades, and gloves are pretty cheap, you probably already have them. A 66' roll of spacer, sealant and guide block for applying the sealer is less than $100, including shipping from DK Hardware Supply.

If you have a link that shows all the materials can be obtained from DK Hardware Supply, please post it.
I am sure many DIY type people would like to have it, along with instructions on how you did it.

...part two.

Now you should be ready to rebuild the thermopane unit. The Super Spacer has one edge with a thin aluminum foil on it. That edge goes towards the outside edge of the glass. The spacer has adhesive on 2 sides to stick it to the glass. The spacer needs to be inset at least 3/16" from the edge to allow room for the sealant. It as a thin plastic strip covering the adhesive, peel it off as you lay it along the edge. I pushed the glass against a straight block and used a short piece of spacer to get the 3/16" gap from the edge. If you're tackling the job yourself I'm sure you're capable of applying the spacer and putting the 2 panes together.

Next you use the sealant guide and caulk gun to apply the sealant around the edge. You can see when enough sealant is pushed in against the spacer to fill any gaps. I used a paper towel to run around the edge and smooth the sealant and remove any excess. Once it's dried you can use your razor scraper to remove any sealant from the outside of the glass. A good quality caulk gun is worth the investment. Your hands will get pretty tired trying to squeeze out the sealant with a $3 caulk gun. Two tubes of sealant should do one 66' roll of 3/16" spacer. Might need 3 if you're using 1/4" spacer.

That's about it. The spacer has desiccant in the foam to remove any moisture inside the windows. You'll want to keep it sealed up tight when not using it. It's not too bad a job, I'm retired and have the time so what the heck. Hardest part was removing the rail on the end of the sliding units. It's held on with a double sided adhesive tape, similar to 3M molding tape. I used a heat gun and slowly cut it and pry it off the edge of the glass. We have 7 units that need repair, Around $500 including some new glass, I'm sure it would be at least $3000 to have it done. Our MH is a 94 Bounder, not worth investing $3000 in it.

harold1946 wrote:

Hank MI wrote:
I'm sure Dave Root does good work but his DIY kit seems a little overpriced. A 66' roller of spacer, sealant, cleaner, gloves and instructions, $286. A utility knife, extra blades, and gloves are pretty cheap, you probably already have them. A 66' roll of spacer, sealant and guide block for applying the sealer is less than $100, including shipping from DK Hardware Supply.

If you have a link that shows all the materials can be obtained from DK Hardware Supply, please post it.
I am sure many DIY type people would like to have it, along with instructions on how you did it.

The spacer and guide below are for 3/16" Super Spacer. You'll need either 3/16" or 1/4" spacer. Open a slider window and measure the thickness of the double pane unit. If it's 7/16" you'll need 3/16" spacer. The glass panes are 1/8" thick. 1/8" + 1/8" + 3/16" = 7/16". If it measures 1/2" then of course you'll need 1/4" spacer and a 1/4" sealant guide.

66' 3/15" Super Spacer

Sealant guide for 3/16" spacer

Super Spacer sealany

The windows on our MH are Excel, you may have a different brand so you'll have to adapt to whatever you have. The window unit is installed from the outside with a metal clamp ring on the inside. Remove all the screws from the inside clamp, leave a couple at the top but loosen them maybe 1/4". From the outside you'll need to pry the window away from the side of the RV. Ours use a rubber bulb seal, yours may have rope caulk. Even with the rubber seals they were stuck to the side pretty good. Once you're sure the unit is free have a helper remove the remaining screws on the inside. CAUTION, these window units are surprisingly heavy, hold the top in so it doesn't tip out on top of you.

Our windows have a one piece frame that wraps around the entire unit. There is a flat bar that holds the ends of the frame together. Once the screws are removed from the bar the frame can spread apart and the dual pane units removed. Use a utility knife to slice the urethane sealer along one of the glass panes. It may take several cuts before you get the blade in between the glass and the old metal spacer. With glass laying flat on a table lift up on the top pane of glass while cutting. By lifting it takes some of the weight off and makes it easier to slice between the spacer and glass.

Once the spacer is removed from both panes use a single edge razor blade scraper to remove the remaining sealer. Clean the glass and see what you have. If the window has been fogged for a long time the glass may be etched, you'll never get it clear again. Use some 1500 - 2000 grit wet-dry paper and lightly remove the white fog. If that doesn't do it you can use your razor scraper and scrape the white off. It won't all come off but you can make it better. Then you can decide if it's good enough or need new glass. If you need new glass these guys can make anything you need. I called and talked to Scott Harkey, he was quite helpful. They may already have a template for the glass you need in their database.

RVG

... end of part one.

There is a place in Elkhart IN also - I think the name is Duncan RV or Duncan Glass

Hank MI wrote:
I'm sure Dave Root does good work but his DIY kit seems a little overpriced. A 66' roller of spacer, sealant, cleaner, gloves and instructions, $286. A utility knife, extra blades, and gloves are pretty cheap, you probably already have them. A 66' roll of spacer, sealant and guide block for applying the sealer is less than $100, including shipping from DK Hardware Supply.

If you have a link that shows all the materials can be obtained from DK Hardware Supply, please post it.
I am sure many DIY type people would like to have it, along with instructions on how you did it.

I'm sure Dave Root does good work but his DIY kit seems a little overpriced. A 66' roller of spacer, sealant, cleaner, gloves and instructions, $286. A utility knife, extra blades, and gloves are pretty cheap, you probably already have them. A 66' roll of spacer, sealant and guide block for applying the sealer is less than $100, including shipping from DK Hardware Supply.

harold1946 wrote:
www.daverootrvglassrepair.com/
Dave does exelent work and also sells kits for the DIY type person. The kits come with complete instructions and everything needed.
He is located in Bend Oregon.

also Suncoast Designers in Hudson, FL. had some of our windows done there several years ago and we're totally satisfied with the work and price.

www.daverootrvglassrepair.com/
Dave does exelent work and also sells kits for the DIY type person. The kits come with complete instructions and everything needed.
He is located in Bend Oregon.

It's usually cheaper to have the windows taken apart and cleaned up and re-sealed.

You only have to replace the glass in the windows if it has been severely discolored. The window frames should be ok.

I think that most RV repair places have contacts with people who do the window work.