UV Damaged Hymer windows

[bigalw35]

Our moho is a 2001 Mercedes Hymer, it appears to be a fairly common problem for the "window straps" to crack on the lower corners (as in piccy 1 & 2) the reason being (I think the problem is the UV) as all my windows have suffered the same fate, we have a permanent rear bed so those 2 side windows do not get opened (the rear window does)

after trying various cheapo methods to fix the existing straps, ie various glues and clear plastics straddling the cracks/gaps they all lasted for a while, then gave up, not really wishing to spend the exorbitant amount of money a northern company wants for the replacements, in the end I gave up and spent some money on replacement straps, removed the old parts (difficult, as they had to be broken to get them off).

Once I had all the old stuff off I cleaned the channel and slid the new strap in, no probs, the new black HARD plastic catches have to be banged in with a hammer (carefully)


newly installed strap,

I'm still sure that it's the UV which ages and damages the corners, so not wishing to purchase another set of straps (already purchased 2, dining window and kitchen) after cleaning the old strap I utilised sections of it to fix to the outside of the channel to protect them from the UV, hopefully this will work, as in the piccies below,

The glue I used to secure the strap to the channel was "Bondic", it's quite expensive but it dries very quickly, it's activated by UV, and comes with it's own UV "led torch" source

Bondic Liquid Plastic Welder Review by the Bag Man: Repair Photo Bags & Cords with Bondic
How do you repair a small rip in your gadget bag? I’ve found a new way that’s so cool I can hardly wait for the next fissure. Occasionally I find a torn seam or a small hole in a gadget bag or photo backpack. These are usually the result of normal wear. But sometimes when I’m reviewing a bag I...

www.shutterbug.com

it can be purchased at various outlets, some cheaper than others.

While I'm on the window subject, does anyone know how to get the WINDOW off the frame to repair the cracks you will see in the piccies ?, I don't wish to take the frame out just the window off the frame.

 

[Razamataz]

very nice fix.
where did you get the window straps?
costings?

 

[Manic]

Found this on YouTube

very nice fix.
where did you get the window straps?
costings?

when I did mine I had a job getting the correct strips as new ones have different lock parts, i ended up getting plain strip and doing cutouts myself. You have to be careful removing the lock parts but I found if you use carpenters pinchers you can remove them without damage.

 

[Manic]

The glue I used to secure the strap to the channel was "Bondic", it's quite expensive but it dries very quickly, it's activated by UV, and comes with it's own UV "led torch" source

I’ve seen that glue and wondered if it would be suitable to repAir on of my window that’s delaminated along the bottom edge.

 

[bigalw35]

I purchased them from Brownhills, the kitchen window strap was £54.00 and the dining window £57.60, the kitchen window strap I ordered before the corona shutdown, I spoke to Darren and mentioned that I was a member of the "Hymer Owners Group" for which he always gives me 10% discount, I ordered the dining window strap after the corona shutdown (they are not open) so I ordered it through ebay (as they only had 2 left, possibly will be delivered after the 12th May) If you intend to buy a strap it's VITALLY important to measure the window, look at the advert on Brownhills ebay shop, check ALL the measurements and decide which one you need, as one will NOT fit all, the other important bit of info is that I could not see a way of removing the hard black plastic bits without breaking them, and the same when you replace them, a short sharp tap with a hammer on the shoulders to re-install them, hope that this helps, good luck.

Oh by the way I cleaned the tracks out when empty with a toothbrush, hoover and a can of aerosol brake cleaner.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Manic]

When I bought the plain strip it was £13 but not sure if it was eBay to Travelworld.

 

[bigalw35]

I’ve seen that glue and wondered if it would be suitable to repAir on of my window that’s delaminated along the bottom edge.

I would think so, but you have to be careful with bondic as it cures (very quickly) with UV light (the sun emits uv light !!!) this means that as soon as you've used it REPLACE THE CAP or else any glue left on the very small nozzle hardens in sunlight.

I did one of our windows with super glue (before I was aware of bondic) I found the problem was you have to open the 2 halves of the window to insert the glue, doing this opens the gap more

 

[bigalw35]

Found this on YouTube



when I did mine I had a job getting the correct strips as new ones have different lock parts, i ended up getting plain strip and doing cutouts myself. You have to be careful removing the lock parts but I found if you use carpenters pinchers you can remove them without damage.

EXCELLENT, many thanks Manic, but I figure that watching the video, that I will need a hand to reinstall, a person on each end of the window, I think they all need removing and the hinge/groove needs cleaning upon re-assembly I think I'll smear some silicone grease on the "hinge" part of the window. I think that over time the hinge has accumulated dirt which allows leaks ??

 

[bigalw35]

I’ve seen that glue and wondered if it would be suitable to repAir on of my window that’s delaminated along the bottom edge.

I've just found another glue I purchased some time back for repairing the cracks on plastic windows (the reason for getting the window out, so that I can lay the window flat) this glue is called "Pascofix" you get 3 small bottles, glue, glass beads (as a filler, if required) and a cleaner/glue remover, apart from the glue being very good it's very thin, so its enters the cracks easily, but again as with anything that's good, it's expensive. I think I paid about £25.00 for 3 x 20ml bottle (as above) and always they are NOT full