Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:56:40 -0400
Reply-To: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Installing a slider window
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Sounds like you did alright up until the cord snapped. Take it out (I know,
it sucks!), and clean the vaseline off of everything. Use GOJO
(non-pumice!)hand cleaner. This is also your choice for window installation
lubrication. It cleans up like a dream and contains lanolin which acts as a
preservative/ restorative treatment for the old rubber. The black that you
said is getting everywhere, sounds like oxided old rubber; clean as much off
as you can before installing the rubber around the window. Let the rubber
sit in the sun to get nice and warm. Use a piece of vinyl-coated wire cable
(dog tie-out line) as your puller rope. Cotton or polyester clothesline is
too weak when the going gets tough. Get a helper to keep pressure applied
to the outside of the window. Use a cotterpin puller tool (looks like an
awl with a bent end) or some such tool to persuade rubber in addition to the
cord. Never pull so hard on the cord that the cord snaps or that it cuts
through the rubber. Never press so hard on the glass that you bend and
crack it. Slowly work it in, one of your helper's hands should be applying
gentle pressure outside to the spot where you're working it inside. If
there's a tough spot on one end, go work a little on the other end, then
come back to it. It'll go in like butter, eventually. When it's in, get
some clean paper towels or rags and wipe the vehicle and your selves clean
of the GOJO. Window in, clean vehicle, clean hands!
HTH,
Mike B.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Troy" <colorworks@GCI.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:21 AM
Subject: Installing a slider window
> I've installed a slider window in a Westy once, and ended up tearing a
> little bit of the gasket, but counted my blessings that's the worst that
> happened. Tried to install another one today, and after tearing one corner
> of the rubber, I gave up in frustration.
>
> I completely saturated the rubber seal in Vaseline. Lubed the inside of
> the grove as well. I took a piece of 3/16" nylon clothesline (also coated
> in Vaseline) and put that into the window gasket channel. I overlapped the
> clothesline by 3 or 4 inches . I inserted the bottom of the window first,
> letting the metal of the window go inside the groove. I then worked my way
> all the way around the window, pushing the rubber in as far as it would
> go. I even used a couple of squeeze clamps at the corners so the rubber
> did not pop out as I was working the rest of the window in.
>
> Everything seemed to be going fine, up until a point I got about two
> thirds of the window installed, but the rope became so tight that I ended
> up snapping it in two. My white Westy also looks pretty sick with all the
> black rubber marks all over it too!. I used some paint thinner to finally
> get everything cleaned up, as even windex would not take the stuff off.
>
> So, I'm sure the glass shops all over the world pop these things in in 15
> or 20 minutes, what I'm I doing wrong? I'm thinking of just running this
> over to an automotive windshield repair place at this point, what would be
> a reasonable cost for the service?
>
> Window installation challenged and stained black to the pores...
>
> Troy
>
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