Introduction
A thermopane window, by definition, is two pieces of glass insulated together, with an airspace between the two panes. If that seal becomes degraded or damaged, it allows moisture to get between those two panes of glass, eventually causing the window to become “fogged” and it is impossible to see out of them. We will walk through the repair process to remove the window, take it apart, attempt to clean it, and put it all back together. It is important to note that while all of the steps are true and can be used in part, the actual insulation of the glass does require specialized machinery, and this is not recommended as a DIY project.
This project is of moderate difficulty, requiring the use of specialized machinery and the ability to lift and maneuver 50 lbs. The required time of the repair process does vary depending on the induvial coach and window, however, can be estimated between 2-3 hours for an unexperienced person.
What you need
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On the inside of the coach, using a cordless drill, remove the interior screws wrapping around the window. Some may be hidden behind the valences, in that case simply use a hand ratchet to unscrew them manually.
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On the outside of the coach, use a stiff putty knife to cut the seal behind the frame of the coach. Carefully place the blade end of the putty knife behind the frame and apply pressure towards the frame. If there is any resistance, use a rubber mallet to lightly tap the putty knife down. Repeat until the seal has been broken around the entire frame
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Pull the top of the frame towards you, lift the window up and out of the coach. Ensure the window is completely out of the opening before moving away with the window to ensure the seal is completely broken (This will ensure you do not accidentally drag the window across the body of the coach.
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Using the appropriate drill bit (depending on the window) remove the screws.
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There will be one screw on each side of the center bar, behind the frame.
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There will be four screws on a plate behind the frame, where the window splits. Remove either both left or both right screws. (You can remove all four, but it is not necessary).
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Place the sliding portion on the carpeted surface, with the handle on the side of your less dominant hand.
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Place a flexible putty knife against the handle and tap underneath the handle, along the entire length until you can remove the handle from the glass.
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Repeat oscillation, to separate the sliding insulated unit, marking this unit with an S to know which one was the slider.
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Place the unit back into the frame by apply pressure to the sides of the frame to separate it.
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Carefully insert the unit, being careful that the rubber does not fall off.
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Lay the slider back into the frame on top of the stationary unit. Ensure the glass is lying in the tracking in the frame.
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Place the window back into the opening of the coach. Ensure someone is standing on the outside to hold the window in place.
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On the inside of the coach, screw in all of the screws.
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On the outside of the coach, apply high-performance silicone where the frame meets the body of the coach. (If the weep holes are behind the frame, do not seal the bottom. This allows the water to drain out.)
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Having one person on the inside of the coach and one person on the outside using a hose, begin from the bottom of the window working your way up spray the frame with water. This tests both the window and the seal to ensure they are leak proof.
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Attached Documents
Team
Pasco Hernando, Team S6-G83, Prince Spring 2019 Member of Pasco Hernando, Team S6-G83, Prince Spring 2019
PHSC-PRINCE-S19S6G83
1 Member
1 Guide authored
