Repairing a Westfalia Double Glazed Unit?

[Jeavsy]

Happy New Year to all - not managed to get on here for ages (work and family), but would appreciate your thoughts. I have just had the tailgate window aperture repaired on a 1990 Atlantic after the seal failed and water got in and rotted out the corner. Prior to having the work done, the rear double glazed window has been deteriorating for a while now (it is badly bowed on the inside and has a crack on the inner skin). As the window is out, I am now trying to decide whether to repair or replace it. The outer skin is still in excellent condition, and it is only the inner skin that is damaged. Having looked at the window, it does look as though it might be possible to separate the inner and outer skin. Whilst the outer skin is shaped, the inner is effectively just a flat acrylic panel. Has anyone else attempted to do this, or am I kidding myself that this is feasible?

The alternative is €280 + shipping from Gunzle, which I am prepared to do (and am inquiring with my insurance company if it is covered by the "windscreen" replacement cover), but it also seems a shame to waste a perfectly serviceable outer skin. Any experience of attempting this or advice gratefully received. Mike.

[aerovolito]

I resealed one of the double glazed windows on my motorhome after the two panes came apart. I used mastic (from a roll) and it's still holding strong and watertight after two years. I resealed the top window in my Westy High top the same way. I also had to buy a new double glazed for the slider after a five year old lobbed a stone through it. I bought a new one from Gunzl. They're nice units but I think they use double sided trim tape to secure the two halves because, to me, my repairs with mastic felt more secure.

Certainly and easy fix if it's only the inner pane that's damaged

[Jeavsy]

Cheers, that's really helpful. Are the units supposed to have a vacuum or insulating gas in between the skins, or is it just air?

[aerovolito]

Not sure, I don't think so though. My Hi top (original) window has a tiny hole drilled at the bottom which I assume is normal. My motorhome windows each have two holes in them which are plugged possibly making them airtight. The Gunzl window had nothing. Neither of the windows I resealed have a condensation problem now (which is what lead me to re-seal them in the first place).

[Jeavsy]

Spot on - thanks for that. Got to be worth having a go at a repair then! Hopefully could save me few quid.

[Plasticman]

i think that the holes were to allow for expansion to stop them bowing in the heat maybe
mm

[Jeavsy]

Thanks mm. I wondered that too. Interestingly whilst the side windows seem to have the plugged holes, the rear one doesn't have any holes in it. Maybe that's why it has become so bowed?!

[Richmo]

No gas in them just air.

[Jeavsy]

Just in case anybody is interested, I have now split the 2 skins and it is immediately apparent that the inner skin has already been replaced in the past! So, I guess the short answer to my original question is, yes, the inner skin can be replaced. However, it would seem that the lifespan is limited as the replacement has cracked, crazed and bowed. I am still going to try and repair it as it seems a real waste to discard the perfectly serviceable outer skin. I will post on here how I get on for completeness.

[Plasticman]

No gas in them just air.

How true in so many respects

ref the inner part of the unit, what have folks used in the past to repair these, as there are many stable acrylics that would surely suffice
mm

[Jeavsy]

what have folks used in the past to repair these

I don't know what others have used, but I am going to see these guys (http://www.mcmordiebros.co.uk) next week to ask their advice and see if they can cut a piece to fit.

[bene]

Any more news on this?
has anybody ever tried to repair a crack in the outer skin? any ideas?
cheers!