[VAC] Vista view windown info

[Roy Lashway <rlashway@xxxxxxxxxx>]

From my files the following may be helpful
============================
Subject:     Vista View Window Repair
Sent:        9/18/00 8:34 PM
To:          Airstream List A/S List, AirstreamList@egroups.com

I recalled it was An-Am RV that was doing vista view windows.  They sent 
me the following in response to my inquiry


From:        Andy@can-am-rv.com

Glad to be of assistance.  We have been fixing these windows  using this 
method for about 15 years with good success and  no leaks.  

We have had a gasket material custom made to fill the space  in the frame 
when the inner glass is removed.  This material  costs $3.00 Canadian or 
$2.00 U.S. per foot to purchase if  you would like some you can order it 
from Sandy (parts@can- am-rv.com or 800 709 2931) and have it shipped 
UPS.  You  need the smaller size for snap ring windows and the larger for 
 windows without the snap ring on the inside.

All of this is done without removing the aluminium frame from  the 
trailer thereby not disturbing the original caulking where the  frame 
fastens to the trailer shell.

WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND GLOVES.  It does not  happen very often but every 
once in a while one of the outer  safety glasses explodes, it will throw 
glass 100' if it does.  

1972:
The first year Double Pane Vista View Windows were  available was 1972 
and these trailers actually had a plastic  inner pane with its own frame. 
 So on a 72 you can remove the  inner vista view pane and just clean off 
the damaged tint on the  inside of the outer pane.  It is quit simple and 
the finished  product looks good.  

Snap ring windows;  1973 & 1974 a few early 75's

These windows have an aluminium snap ring on the inside  which is fairly 
easy to remove.  Once it is out you can pry out  the plastic inner pane 
and start cleaning out the caulking  around the edges eventually you will 
be able to push the outer  pane through to the inside and remove it 
completely.

Clean the inside of the frame out completely and wipe it with a  solvent 
so that it is totally clean, make certain that the solvent  does not run 
down the outside of the unit and damage the  lacquer.  Next clean the 
glass off completely (you can remove  the remains of the old tint with a 
razor blade) and wipe it off  with a solvent such as lacquer thinner as 
well.

Coat all of the inside surfaces of the window frame with about  a 1/8" 
thick layer of silver silicone sealant.  Take the clean  glass and push 
it into the silicone and then push in the rubber  gasket(smaller size) 
that will take up the extra space in the  frame.   Then all that is 
necessary is to clean off the excess  silicone on the inside and out and 
let the remainder harden.   The trailer should be kept dry for 6 hours 
and not be towed for  48 hours.

1975-1984  Non Snap Ring Windows - Glass Inner Pane.

These windows are the most difficult to do.  The inner pane is  glass set 
in the gooiest caulking you have ever seen.  First you  need to break the 
inner pane with a hammer and a screw  driver near the edge, don't go 
through and break the outer  pane.  The larger chunks of glass in the 
middle will drop out  easily but the small shards of glass stuck in the 
caulking need  to be pulled out one at a time with pliers.  

There is a soft plastic moulding in the frame that goes from the  outside 
of the outer pane through to the inside of the frame,  you will see a lip 
of it on between the outer frame and the  glass.  Cut the lip off of the 
outside by running a sharp knife all  around the inside edge of the 
frame.  Then it you grab the  moulding on the inside with pliers you can 
pull it out of the  frame with the last of the glass pieces and the gooey 
caulking.  

Unlike the snap ring windows the outer glass will not come out  through 
the inside frame so you need to clean the glass and  the frame with it in 
there loose.  Clean the inside of the frame  out completely and wipe it 
with a solvent so that it is totally  clean, make certain that the 
solvent does not run down the  outside of the unit and damage the 
lacquer.  Next clean the  glass off completely (you can remove the 
remains of the old tint  with a razor blade) and wipe it off with a 
solvent such as  lacquer thinner as well.

Coat all of the inside surfaces of the window frame with about  a 1/8" 
thick layer of silver silicone sealant.  Take the clean  glass and push 
it into the silicone and then push in the rubber  gasket (larger size) 
that will take up the extra space in the  frame.   Then all that is 
necessary is to clean off the excess  silicone on the inside and out and 
let the remainder harden.   The trailer should be kept dry for 6 hours 
and not be towed for  48 hours.


There you have it.  It is not a job for the faint hearted but it is  more 
tedious than difficult.  When it is done with the rubber  gasket in place 
it looks professional, like the factory made it  that way.  If you do not 
wish to attempt the operation yourself  we can do it for you here at 
Can-Am but the labor can add up if  you have several windows to do.

If you need anything clarified please feel free to E mail any  time.

Thanks
Andy
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Roy Lashway
'78 Argosy,'56 Bubble
WBCCI 1610     VAC
rlashway@zianet.com
web site: www.zianet.com/rlashway
   (polishing report included)