DIY-who's tackled Foggy Glass repair?

[teeznu]

I've watched several YouTube video's and it seems pretty straight forward...…..well...…..once you get the window out of the rough opening on the RV.

I'm willing to give it a try, but, looking for suggestions to prevent failure. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

[Chum_lee]

The problem with multi-pane windows whether they have inert gas inside them, or just dry air (like from a scuba tank) is that there can not be ANY WAY for moisture (humidity in the air) to find its way through the hermetic seals and get between the panes. If/When it does, when the temperature drops below the dew point, the moisture WILL condense inside the windows and you will be back to square one. If you are located in a hot very dry area, the moisture may evaporate to the exterior of the frame, but, it will eventually return as/if the relative humidity goes up. Once the inside of the glass gets water spotted or etched, . . . . . you're done.


Chum lee

[BarneyS]

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

[RLS7201]

repair kit,

Desiccant foam spacers from Amazon

I use 3M Window Weld for the sealer.

Richard

[teeznu]

So......where does one purchase the "Seal-Spacer" material.

I've already sourced a company for the "flange" of the metal frame.

All suggestions are appreciated. Tks.

[memtb]

seaeagle2, It’s my understanding that they “are not” filled with inert gas. Of course, I’ve been lied to before! :(. memtb

[seaeagle2]

Residential double pane windows have argon gas between the panes, when they start fogging, its because the seal has failed and the inert argon has leaked out and allowed moisture in. Are RV double pains inert gas filled ?

[DFord]

The quality of the seal is what makes the difference in dual pane windows. SeGi windows are notorious for their seals "snaking" around the edges. The cause is the poor quality of their seals. Next in line I believe is the Excel line of windows like I have on my Trek. Many Treks suffer from "fogged" windows. The earlier models had SeGi windows like I had on my previous MH (a Residency) most of which snaked right after I bought it new.

Years ago, I spoke with a representative from Peninsula Glass at an FMCA rally in Perry Georgia. He told me the outfit that sold the seals to SeGi approached him with their cheaper seals. He'd been having great success with the seals they'd been using and refused the offer even though they could have saved a lot of money on each window. He said looking back on that decision, it was one of the best they ever made and they've never regretted using the more expensive seals - for obvious reasons.

[memtb]

Just my opinion here. Unless the repairs are done in a “controlled environment” offering very low humidity, you may not be accomplishing much. We had ours done in Mesa, Az, during heat of summer and low humidity. Perhaps I’m wrong......but this seems logical to me! memtb

[discovery4us]

I have grown tired of fixing fogged windows so now I just have the window pulled and a piece of laminated glass installed in the existing frame and reinstall.

They will never fog again, has better UV protection, better sound deadening qualities and the moisture or sweeting isn't any worse than the dual pane windows.

[Trackrig]

DFord wrote:


The best location for window repair in country is in Vancouver, WA - Peninsula Glass / Motion Windows / where they can make completely new windows if you want to move that divider bar up out of your line of sight. There website doesn't mention cleaning and resealing windows but I'm sure they'll do that for you - just call them first.

I absolutely agree with this opinion. We went to Peninsula originally because they make custom replacement window screens. While talking to them they said they could fix our fogged windows.

In the end, we went with all new windows as most of ours were fogged. What sold us on new windows was several items.
1. They got rid of the divider bar towards the top of my driver's window that was always in my sight.
2. On the passengers window which was an up/down slider, the window break was always in the DWs line of sight.
3. We didn't like the escape windows in the rear bedroom where as the window was hinged and had to be pushed out while trying to exit through it. We had them install large sliding windows like in the living area of the DP. Better airflow besides being easier to escape through.
4. And last, all of the new windows have a reflective tinting. This both cuts down on the sun heat entering the DP and it blocks peoples view into the DP.

We went there one day so they could take measurements and build a couple of templates. Came back a few days later and in eight hours they replaced all of the windows. They do have 30 amp plug-ins if you want to arrive the night before.

I think they had a three or five year warranty on the windows, but Mike said if there's ever a problem, bring it back and they'll fix it anyways.

Great product and service.

Bill

[DFord]

You show your location as USA. That covers a pretty wide area last time I checked. I had my fogged windows fixed a couple years ago in Searcy, AR at the RV Fog Doctor. The cost was $300 for the first window and $200 for every other one - cash or check (no CC). They did a great job and gave me full hook-ups the evening before and after fixing my windows.

There's a shop in Hudson, FL - Suncoast Designers,

There's a shop in Phoenix, AZ - RV Glass Solutions

The best location for window repair in country is in Vancouver, WA - Peninsula Glass / Motion Windows / where they can make completely new windows if you want to move that divider bar up out of your line of sight. There website doesn't mention cleaning and resealing windows but I'm sure they'll do that for you - just call them first.

Some times you can catch one of these companies at an RV rally and have the work done on site.

[RLS7201]

If the windows are just wet inside, they can be disassembled, dried out, cleaned & reassembled with new spacer material. I've done it. I elected to assemble a square with 2x4s clamped to my bench for reassemble. Make sure and purchase the correct thickness spacer. You want to make sure the 2 glass panes are perfectly matched. You could use your dining table if allowed by the lady of the house. How else may I get you in trouble? If the are foggy (mineral etched) new glass is called for.

R