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Topic: Window gasket treatment (Read 751 times) previous topic - next topic

Window gasket treatment

Just a tip for the new owners.. I've mentioned this a couple years back but for the new folks be sure and treat the rubber window gaskets with a softener. Go all around the window. I use Adams VRT rubber and vinyl treatment.. Others have their prefernce.. Take 2 fingers in a rag, squirt a bit on and go to work.Rubber draws the hot suns rays and left untreated will become hard, crack and shrink. Then you will get water behind the gaskets and down the wall causing wall damage. Much easier just to keep the gaskets treated so they can do the job intended. It takes a lot of work and care to keep a coach in nice condition.. I am half way thru waxing mine today and doing the gasket treatment. Keeping a good hard shell wax on the gel coat will help turn the suns damaging rays off your coach's finish and there is no easy way around it. You will get some gasket treatment on your windows and then guess what.. you do the window glass next.. I've seen coach's and some being Foretravel that the gaskets have been neglected and the rubber would draw up so that you could see where the window hole had been cut and the owner actually thought they were taking proper care of their coach.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #1 –
I am not a new owner, but  I am not doing what you are.  Are you talking about the rubber trim between the metal and the glass.  Some of that shrinks, but it can be pulled out, stretched, and but back.  The vertical rubber  that wipes the sliding glass is a problem though. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #2 –
Good, very important, tip! I use one of the 303 products for all our exterior rubber, works well. It's got a foam applicator that makes a easy job. once the seals are cleaned first. I've got a 'bra' for the front and D&P windows, helps when we're docked for a while. Cheap, available thru Amazon.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #3 –
Jerry, I put it on all the rubber around the window.. Mike, 303 is a darn good product, I'm out of it for now.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #4 –
I lean on the bumper rubbers, also. Would hate to replace the fore & aft (If even available). I try to force some of the joy juice into the top to get some of the inside.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #5 –
Quote from: mike leary –
I lean on the bumper rubbers, also. Would hate to replace the fore & aft (If even available). I try to force some of the joy juice into the top to get some of the inside.

I always tried to treat my bumper rubber at least twice a year when I had my 280.. You don't want to look up one morning and find a strip of that curling up on you like a chicken snake.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #6 –
I ordered some of that 303 rubber stuff. Thanks for the tip.  I've always used the same 303 we use for the decals but his stuff looks more specialized. This rig has a couple creepy seals but all the gaskets are in excellent shape.

Also, if you have a lot of sealant squished out onto the fiberglass you can clean it up pretty easily with no impact on the gasket seal itself. I just use a putty knife (not sharp) and run it right along the gasket edge. The stuff separates easily. Also, by the time you're done you can roll that stuff up into a ball and throw it at the side of the garage.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320
 

Re: Window gasket treatment

Reply #7 –
To remove the putty with no chance of scratching the FG, use custom tool from McDonalds, etc: plastic knife.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
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