Kitchen windows removal

[Ant-t]

I've got to remove my kitchen sliding windows to deal with some rust, what's the procedure and can I save the seal which doesn't look too bad

[New Kentish Campers]

Remove the inner rubber section from the main (outer) rubber. Carefully, with another pair of hands if at all possible, push & pull the window out by its frame. I just did this on my current van,took less than 10 minus to remove.

If the rubber can be reused, then you'd save time and likely damaged paintwork, by buying a insert tool for the inner rubber, the end of it is diamond shaped and the insert rubber passes through it whilst you slide it along the rubber channel at the same time feeding the insert back in. They only cost a few quid and are well worth getting.

[Ant-t]

Thank you, will have a look tomorrow

[New Kentish Campers]

I forgot to add that it's not a bad idea to put a little washing-up liquid into the rubber so that your insert tool can slide easier along the channel while it feeds the insert in.



(Now see some of that go into the 'mis-quote' section.....)

[Smcknighty]

Wish granted..!

[Ant-t]

Thanks or the input with this, I've just had a look at the window, there is no inner or outer to the seal as it is all in one piece. Is it a case of slicing it and replacing the seal? The wondow is a ali framed sliding window.

[New Kentish Campers]

Any chance of a picture before you cut it? New rubber is going to probably cost 30 odd quid so might be able to save you that.

Does the fitting look similar to that of your windscreen, I. E just plain black rubber? If so, then it sounds like it will come out like the windscreen.

Take a shufty, bung a pic up if poss and that should tell us what's what

[Ant-t]

Thanks, yes the seal is totally flush like my other windows, will put a pic up tomorrow

[New Kentish Campers]

[Ant-t]

Here are the pics of my kitchen window seals:




As you can see the seals are in one piece and flush fitting, any ideas on removal whilst saving the seal?
Ant

[New Kentish Campers]

It looks like it would be the same principle as taking a windscreen out.

So, you need to find yourself an old, large flat-bladed screwdriver, preferable with no sharp ends so as to avoid nicking the rubber. From the inside, carefully push the edge of the rubber so that it stays on the aperures metal edge of the bodywork. Go all around the edge like that with a helper on the outside so at to catch it once it's ready to come out.

Once you've done that all around the seal, a gentle push should make it come out.

To refit, get some strong nylon rope, about 3mm thick, put it inside the channel that would sit in the aperture. Go all around the rubber so that you have a few inches overlapping at each end. I'd do it from the base of the window but do what every best for you.

Lay the assy in the aperture, get your helper to hold the window assy still, and begin to pull, at about a 30 degree angle,so the rope begins to lift the rubbers edge over the aperture's metal lip. Your helper just needs to maintain pressure on the window as you go around. Personally, I'd go along the bottom with the rope until you get around the first corner, then do the same with the other end of the rope, to that corner, so as to get the entire base in. Then just go all aound with the rope's ends until you get all the rubber edge back on the metal edge. Get your helper to carefully bang the window with the age of his her hand so that it seats itself back in nicely. Hopefully that shall do the trick.

However, it could be that you have a decorative moulding trim on the insid, i.e no painted metal showing- many conversions used those. If so, the obviously the rubber flange would need to go over that too as you refit. It would be nigh impossible to try and do it if the window is in place again.

[Ant-t]

Thanks a lot for that, I'm going to try it this weekend (weather permitting)

[Mk2Tony]

Reading this I might have a go at doing my own too, I've been trying to find someone reputable to do them but been messed around loads of times. If its dry this weekend I might give it a go, just don't want to be stuck with no windows in lol!

Tony