[VAL] Vista Views

["Don Hardman" <donhardman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This is an old subject that I have collected bits and pieces of information
on for quite some time. I have 2, thankfully no more than that, Vista Views
in my 1976 31' Sovereign. They are located in the rear bedroom. As with the
Vista Views in the 70 and later model trailers, the coating between the
double pane glass has deteriorated. I have been waiting for the right time
to proceed with the project of repairing the Vista Views along the lines
covered in the instructions that were provided by Andy with Can-Am-RV a few
years back.

>From:        Andy @ can-am-rv.com
>Subject Vista Views

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 aluminum 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 aluminum 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 molding 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  molding 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.


Of course my 1976 has the type of Vista Views that require breaking the
inner pane of glass and is probably why I have put the project off. My
question has anyone done its in a 1976 or later model Airstream. If so what
were the results and are there pictures available of the steps involved.

Thanks for the input

Don Hardman
1976 31' Sovereign