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New Windows Installed!
We have started back on the bus again. Hoping to have it complete by October. The latest project was to replace the old leaky windows. We had Motion make us new double pane windows to fit the openings. The origional conversion took place in 1981 and who ever cut the origional holes out did not use a straight edge and did not understand the concept of the openings being square. We spent a lot time grinding the openings to achieve the correct reveals so the windows would fit.Then we furred out the openings and installed our new windows. They turned out great!
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12 Replies
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Lookin great! Building your own gets a little taxing I know. Best thing you know the coach and the fool/genius who did it. Good/bad it’s a builders choice. Bob
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Nice to see somone working on a similar vintage bus as me. I replaced my fogged driver side window a few weeks ago. Today spent the morning at the glass shop re-setting my drivers windshield after the old gasket split. I’ll be going back in a couple weeks for another glass project. I’ll hopefully be adding a slider window that Robert sold me. It took over a month to get the new gasket through customs from Canada.
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Dan,
Do your own glass work. Cheaper by far, simple, and you are in control.
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I pulled my driver side window out and had a glass company use it as a template to cut two new pieces and seal it up with an inert gas between the slabs. I reinstalled it myself. It was about $165 for the glass. I don’t think I could possibly mess with it for that. I did think about re-setting the windshield myself but had some glass guys do it. I’m REALLY glad I did. It took 2 guys took about 2 hrs and they charged about $1600 (I supplied the gasket). No way could I have done it alone. If they were able to reuse the gasket they said it would take less than 1/2 the time. The new gaskets are very stiff. As for the slider – I only have the slider wondow (from Robert) and a brand new gasket. I talked to the glass guys about it. The plan is to pull the side window. Install the new gasket and slider window. Measure twice and cut the existing side window and install everything again. The side windows are laminated safety glass which I’m told can be a bit of a risk. I’m going to try and call Prevost to see if they sell just the upper 1/2 glass as a back-up. Regardless, I’ll be in to it FAR less than the $3500 Prevost quoted for a new slider window ready to install. If it works out I’ll be looking for a few more used slider windows. My toll window and one skylight are all I have for fresh air ventilation right now. Not ideal.
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could take the one You have now to the glass shop and see if they could duplicate it. My local glass shop could ;they have all types of extrusions. Might look for a place that does comercial glass. Also Dale AKA songman here knows where there are some prevost being salvaged that could have that another window. Bob
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Dan,
Those two guys were poorly trained. Even using a flat blade screw driver to insert the welting in the gasket instead of the proper tool it is a one man 20 minute to 40 minute job.
We have coached owners who never replaced a piece of glass in their lives at rallies and I don’t think anyone ever took more than 45 minutes and that include the time spent dealing with ball breakers.
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Jon, Well, I suppose your probably correct in saying they have not been “trained” on installing that type of glass – but neither have I. I watched them and frankly don’t think I could have lifted the glass into position and ran the tool around by myself while clinging to a ladder:) We don’t have “bus” glass guys up in my area so I’m just thankful they were willing to help me out for a lot less $ than a 1500 mi round trip to Tennessee:)
I’ll ask my commercial glass guy if he thinks he can make the slider frame. I know the gaskets are available from Prevost. It’s a little frustrating – I see these things on wrecked busses all over the internet but I can’t get a single one of those guys to call be back. Business must be real good!
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“while clinging to a ladder” is a recipe for damage and injury on almost any job except maybe changing a light bulb.
It’s done now, that’s great; I think a platform, maybe a sheet of plywood on barrels, would have been more comfortable.
Ted.
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Dan,
There are a couple of “tricks”, and while clinging to a ladder might not be the right description you do want to be at the right height.
With the gasket in place around the window opening, lubricate the gasket. There are products designed for this, but when I have replaced my XL windshields I just used soapy water. That is the first trick and is critical. You want the glass to slide easily.
Push the glass in the bottom groove from the side opposite the center post and to the extent possible seat it into the groove at the center post. Use a nylon or plastic tool that looks a little like a knife to slide the gasket around the remaiining outside edge of the glass. Lubrication helps this go easier. This is the hardest part and you have to push the glass to get it positioned so the outer portion of the gasket will slip over the glass around the full perimeter.
The rest of the installation is easy with a tool, but if no tool is available you can push the locking strip into place with the flat blade of a screwdriver. But the tool which guides and pushes the strip in place is the easiest way to go. Lubrication helps that also.
I am sure a Google search will show the two tools I mentioned, but until I had them I used a screwdriver and a piece of plastic I made from a short section of plastic pipe.
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If you are talking about the driver side windows they are pretty easy. I have no idea if mine is like yours….but i just removed the screws from the 4 aluminum “L” chanels that hold the window in the frame. I used a putty knife & razor to cut the caulk. The window poped right out.
The curved side windows are just like the windshield they have a rubber gasket with a “zip strip” Just pull the zip strip and use a glass guy spoon to get under the gasket and like a bike tire run around the gasket and the window will come right out. I think it a two person job but some say you can do it yourself…….
A word of warning – if you buy new gaskets from Prevost make sure you get the zip strips. I ordered a winshield gasket and it came with the zip strip – then when I did a new gasket on a side window I did not realize they were NOT included. I had to next day air the zipstrips….. a $120 mistake + a couple hours wasted sitting on hold.
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That’s great info. Thanks Dan!
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