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Post by pathfinder3081 on Aug 8, 2012 19:27:52 GMT -5
Well, it's a older pic but here is were I'll start. We are staying close to home this weekend and I think I'll yank this window out and see if I can fix the leak. We have been getting some heavy downpours in the last few days and I did not have her in the Garage. (my son has our garage full of furniture.. ) Anyhow I got that puddle in the low left corner twice. It's time to fix her. Question. Do I use the regular putty tape that I used on all the other "thru skin" fittings? Where's the super, I'll never have to do this again tape? So all I do is pull all the screws,pull the window. Clean it all squeaky clean tape it up and screw it back in. I am going to use some JB weld on the corners on the advise of a wise one here on this site. I am going to do the "lay flat" and fill with water to check the window glazing. Replacing the window glazing would be a hassle I imagine.. Feed back wanted. I am going to surf thru here for some text and pictures. I know there are some leads on here but I don't recall the simple " Pull the Loflyte back glass and fix your leak" thread though..
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vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by vikx on Aug 9, 2012 0:57:30 GMT -5
Are you positive it's a window leak? If the edge putty fails, water will follow the path of least resistance and dribble out the nearest window...
Regular putty tape works very well. The glass is held in place by snap in aluminum keepers. If you carefully pry them loose, (an L pick works well) you will see how the window is constructed. The "lake" method will easily tell you if the window is the culprit.
Please post back and let us know what you find.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Aug 9, 2012 18:55:59 GMT -5
I hope that is only the edge putty vikx. Here is the situation: I'm standing at the exterior with a towel in hand. It has stop raining. The interior Veneer at the window sill looks like it had about a "shot" glass of water poured on it. I'm pushing and touch the miter corner from the exterior. Water almost "Seeps" from the miter corner. It's quit raining and I am on site. I wipe that left corner with a towel and then the drops puddle up again.. note I am on the exterior at this time. I have never seen the water fall into the interior sill that I speak of. I don't get it. The area thru the hatch is dry, there are no soft spots in the ply and sill looks fine from underneath. Just the topside has had the veneer pull and buckle a bit at the first layer. The screws at the bottom of the window still pull in tight so I hope that rot (if any) is to a minimum. I don not want to do any carpentry work this weekend.
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kmlisle
New Member
Ernestine
Posts: 34
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Post by kmlisle on Aug 10, 2012 12:32:03 GMT -5
You have inspired me to connect a hose to our Loflyte and see what happens. Same year as yours and looks the same inside as well!
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vikx
3K Post Member
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Post by vikx on Aug 11, 2012 1:22:25 GMT -5
If the edge trim is leaking or the roof metal, the window will do what yours is doing. However, other members have discovered the window frame itself is the culprit.
If it was me, I would take a close look at the edge trim. ANY gap will let water in. Also check the roof metal for oxidation. (possible pin hole leaks)
The fact that you describe water continuing to seep leads me to believe that it is not the window.
Good luck. This is not a fun hunt.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Aug 11, 2012 15:38:29 GMT -5
Hey Vikx.. Where are the clips? It's been a busy day and the details I will address later. I have the window out. I have reason to think that it is the pane. I just have to fiugure out how to seperate the frame. Hits from anyone would be welcome> Thanks
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 7, 2012 19:03:46 GMT -5
Okay Brothers and Sisters, I have been out of the loop for a few weeks. First of all, the window is fixed and we have had some heavy heavy downpours while in the field, no leaks, no water Nada!. Vikx, Ross you guys are in the know and thank you so much. You really help me organized my attack and a clear veiw of it all. Ross, thank you so much for taking the time and going to your garage and showing me how these things (sealed windows) come a part. Ross documented via some pics, exactly how these nasty burgers are assembled. If asked I am sure that he will show share with you the procedure, without his permission I will not take that liberty . Long story long? I found a independent stoolie at the Airstream place. He does a little work on the side it seems . Anyhow, he tells me; "before you pull this thing apart, try a little silicone and a reinstall with new putty". (he advised) A "lake test" only showed it leaking at the center, and after 24 hours.. just a littltle bit had passed through. Okay, so after talking to him, I took the easy way out, I did like the "window man" said. Clean it out (with a wire brush on my drill chuck, clean) and then with some "DuPont" silicone that he gave me, I filled the void and seam. I know that many here do not like the silicone thing. However, this guy had a "glass truck" with all kinds of big store front window panes and car windshields on it. ;D He did not charge me a dime and told me to call back if I had any problem. Like Vix said and Ross asked as well "Can all of the water really be passing through the window pane?" Yata yata, probably not. So be reminded from my adventure.. K? Well, with the window out and it riding in the back of my truck for a few days I decided to go ahead and get a little deeper in the project. I knew I was going to cut back the window sill on this thing and try to make a little more elbow room for the wife. What will I find? My story starts here
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vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by vikx on Sept 8, 2012 0:30:28 GMT -5
Think I've been in this tale before...
Good on ya on the window! A lot of the solid frames leak. I don't think silicone in a window frame is a bad thing. It seals and is not exposed to direct weather/sun light. The bad thing about silicone on the exterior is that it discolors so quickly and peels loose within a year or two.
I can't quit tinkering with mine. Always something...
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 8, 2012 15:01:06 GMT -5
Well, as I said. She is dry now but when I pulled the window, the sill framing was fine, the head framing was good. The wood color aged but still bright. It seemed that the top ply was the first to show the signs of any water work. The right vertical was the worse. I pulled out all of the original "vertical" framing in support of the continuous bed support strip, and the plywood at the windows' sill. In general, everything under the bed at the rear wall.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 8, 2012 15:22:02 GMT -5
The left side was fine. The right side? as I said, I found this leak just in time ( I hope). The ply and spurs were a little black in the "lower curb corner". The exposure was evident. I pulled it apart and poked at it some more. It was a little dusty in the corner. I don't think the termites found the evening meal as of yet. I cleaned it out, dried her good and stiffened up the horizontal spur just below the sill. I am going to pull and inspect from the bow to the stern this winter from the lower runing edge to just above the wheel well. My curb side has some wear and tear in this area. That curb side corner has me wondering, but it was solid enough for a few more trips... I think
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 8, 2012 16:01:59 GMT -5
Once I pulled everything out (which I had to pass most of it through the rear window) I discovered how simple these things are made, "scrap wood, a few screws and alot of hope" is all these things are made of.. Constructed is a bit of a stretch. And I was pulling this beer can how fast down I-40 last week? I reconstructed the verticals, added new horizontal with a heavier ledger at the bed ply. I used the same piece of 70's green plywood at the back wall, lots of glue and some hefty wood screws. I used wider piece of plywood at the pedestal bed of course and when all was finished! It weigh in at 10# (not including the bed plywood).
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 8, 2012 16:21:24 GMT -5
With only a few problems, all of this repair was a breeze. Like I said before, I don't want to drop more cash than I can get out of this toy. I enjoy working on things, it gets me off of my duff when my day is slow which is seldom. I'll post another pic later this evening of the finished product and call this thing done. Thanks to Ross and Vikx. Ross I wish that I was making the SC run next week but We have to do a weekend at the Beach with my Sis...We are there in spirit brother.. Happy Trails
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 8, 2012 16:56:53 GMT -5
And with everything back in place.. Here is the nasty corner. Where the ply was removed I just dabbed a little paint. Happy camping boys and girls!
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vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by vikx on Sept 9, 2012 0:49:16 GMT -5
Looks really good! I enjoy picture stories.
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Post by timandbrenda on Sept 13, 2012 7:14:50 GMT -5
I am so glad I found this site!!! The lower curb of my 72 has quite a bit of rot. In fact the area behind the wheel is in bad shap and the screws in the trim aren't holding anything! I am looking to fix but dont know how just yet. I am open to ALL sugestions. Thanks, Tim
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Post by timandbrenda on Sept 13, 2012 7:17:33 GMT -5
I will post picks very soon Tim
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 25, 2012 17:31:23 GMT -5
[/img] I will post picks very soon Tim Hey Tim, I have some soft wood too! As you can see in a few post before this one, when I was replacing the sink drain I discovered it. It pretty much feels crappy from "just in front" of the curb side wheel well all the way back to the low rear corner. The lower siding feels like it's got nothing filling the void but rot. The trim screws hold nothing untill the trim turn up in the rear. When I was bird doggin my window leak I went ahead and pull the j-rail up a foot or two and taped it up, resealed it. I have no water coming in now.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 25, 2012 18:03:20 GMT -5
I need to start getting a feel for pulling the skin off. Hopefully some of our freinds here will point me in the right direction. I am hoping that I can remove the lower trim piece, from the back over the tire well, on to the front, and this "gold colored" pannel will, and can be removed and expose the framing and solid pieces over the tire well? Can I remove it from the cab or should I just tie it, hang it up and work underneath it? I would think "go no futher" than you half to go. Am I wrong?
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vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by vikx on Sept 25, 2012 23:29:33 GMT -5
You will have to loosen the front and rear skins to release the two bottom side panels. (front and rear wrap around the edge) Remove the side bottom trim and pick the million little nails and staples our of the metal bottom. The panel will slide right down when loose. I'm thinking you will have to remove the next one up to get access to the wheel well and support framing. It's not much more difficult. Just pick more staples. LOL. I attached a pix of my LoFlyte so you can see what's behind the panels. Attachments:
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Sept 26, 2012 7:31:56 GMT -5
Thanks Vikx, I am sucha "picture person". I like the idea of working from the outside if I can. Seeing this profile of a unit so similar to my own gives me a boost of confidence. Thanks again and you are a credit to your community.
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Post by dagtone207 on Sept 26, 2012 16:24:17 GMT -5
I have a 71 Loflyte as well. I've got the inside completely stripped. A lot more rot than anticipated. Corners are all shot and the bottom side are pretty bad in places. Your pictures will be real helpful as I start reframing. Thanks Pathfinder and Vikx. Dave
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vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
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Post by vikx on Sept 27, 2012 0:16:15 GMT -5
Thanks.
Believe it or not, My LoFlyte came home with the siding tied on the table. Door was out, back end wasn't there, etc. PO had started to "fix" it, but finally had enough. Enter me. I was thrilled to get it!
PM me for specific pictures; I may have some.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Dec 2, 2012 18:48:00 GMT -5
Well, after a few inquiry's to some folks here I decided to go ahead and pull this busted glass out and fix her up while she is in the garage for the winter. My attempts to locate a replacement unit was not working out. There are alot of spare windows out and about but trying to find this "Cot " window started getting a little vague. A few out there a little larger, a little taller or a little smaller.... UGH! So I decided to pull this thing apart, compare it to some of the windows I scraped off of the 1400 and see what I could make. It was easier than I thought. Do not let these things overwhelm you. The louver ones are fairly simple. On this year anyway. I needed the right vertical jamb with the driver on it. I did not want to replace that huge rivet trying to replace the driver. Also.. be careful with the screws that hold these things together.. If they are old, they are fragile and will strip and break..
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Dec 2, 2012 19:04:47 GMT -5
Once I pulled the window and took it apart, the main frame was in good shape minus the driver side and jamb. The window trim was another story and as shown in the picture. The screws were trashed and the frame came apart as I was in disassemble. I was able take the other frame apart and as shown in the photo's. I was able to cut, clip and file the window trim until it fit together. It was no bad at all.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Dec 2, 2012 19:19:16 GMT -5
I was able to take a piece of the salvaged windows' glass and get it cut to length. Reading one of Ross's thread and tutorials (which he is the one in the know ladies and gentlemen) I use a little steel wool and paint thinner and polish it all up. All in all it worked out well I think. It's a trick getting the glass into the frame with the new seal. I had too tap and block with a hammer to get it all together.. But once you do one, all the others if need be, will be alot easier.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Dec 2, 2012 19:30:37 GMT -5
And here is my finished product. I cannot wait to install it back in our camper. I had a few hours on this thing. Gettin the old Rubber drip strip was one of the most time consuming. I used the same new "VTS" stuff on the bottom as well. I just trimmed it with the window shut against it. The side "Bumper Rubber" was in decent shape. The window seal itself was purchased at the hardware store where I got the glass cut. The "U shape" glazing that VTS sells would not work for my windows.. To big.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Jan 20, 2013 9:57:23 GMT -5
I pulled back the lower panels this weekend. This Is what I'm looking at. "previous ID "soft spots") I hit Soup up for some Intel and a surfing I will go.
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Post by pathfinder3081 on Jan 20, 2013 14:33:14 GMT -5
I pulled the front up for a peek.. I don't think that I have alot of damage here. The right corner has some damage but I think that the whole left side (curb?) is alright. I'll be pulling the front window as it looks like it has had some leaks in the past. Plus it's easier to pull up the shine and shark hide the frame with it out. I'll hit Lowes tomorrow for my material, kreg drill guide and hopefully get this wood working knocked out by next weekend. I'll just have to see how far I want to go with this as I dig a little deeper.
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boandsusan
2K Post Member
Christmas parade 2012
Posts: 2,000
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Post by boandsusan on Jan 20, 2013 14:59:21 GMT -5
And so it begins . What was your title? Ah Yes, "Light renovation". Fun Fun Fun! All joking aside your doing a GREAT job.
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Post by paigenmarc on Jan 20, 2013 17:11:04 GMT -5
I love following your progress! Keep posting!
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