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Subject Topic: Refitting Old Van front windows Post Reply Post New Topic
05/5/2024 at 7:37pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
View Geoff48's Profile View Profile   Reply to Geoff48 Reply   Quote Geoff48 Quote  
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There are three front windows in my old Avondale. The strips between the windows do get full of algae so now and again I open the windows to clean the strips. All was going well until the front offside widow slipped from its seal on the top hinge. Fortunately I held on to it and it is intact. Initially it wouldn't slide back in so I removed the seal and used some Lithium grease as a lubricant and have managed to refit the window. The Lithium grease I used contains some petroleum distillates. I know that petroleum distillates aren't good for rubber so maybe it will damage the seal. Can anyone advise what lubricant I should have used. Thanks


via mobile 05/5/2024 at 9:43pm
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3
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I don't know if it is right or wrong but I always use washing up liquid in that sort of situation.
DaveS1


05/5/2024 at 10:16pm
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anything that contains silicone, is best, so mr sheen furniture polish is good


05/5/2024 at 10:26pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
View Geoff48's Profile View Profile   Reply to Geoff48 Reply   Quote Geoff48 Quote  
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Thanks. That was my first go to thought. It didn't work so I tried the Lithium Grease that I use for my steadies. Not sure if it is right for seals. I've been doing a bit more research and looks like I should have used a silicone lubricant.


via mobile 06/5/2024 at 3:23pm
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Try brake fluid BUT be careful it doesn't come into contact with the window ( I would suggest covering it up well) and only using sparingly.. methalated spirits will remove any residues


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06/5/2024 at 3:39pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Avondale Dart 510 5
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Thank you, I'm away in the caravan for a few nights shortly. As things stand the window is back in and secure. I appreciate all the advice and will have another look when the caravan is back on the drive.


via mobile 06/5/2024 at 3:40pm
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Good..hope you have a nice time 👌


06/5/2024 at 5:31pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
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STOP!!!!!

Some of the recommendations above are absolute death to Acrylic windows! Contact with them will cause irreversible damage, either instant softening/clouding of the plastic or longer term crazing and weakening leading to likely mechanical failure!

Acrylic is not very resistant to most Esters, Ketones, Aromatic hydrocarbons, Chlorinated hydrocarbons, in layman's terms that's most things with a smelly solvent that evaporates quickly! As well as Brake Fluid and Methylated Spirits!

It may be too late to stop any damage as Lithium Grease is usually petroleum based! Best clean up thoroughly ASAP with nothing stronger than detergent, NO SOLVENTS!

Use detergent (washing up liquid) as a lubricant, or a Silicone lubricant, but be careful that doesn't have anything else harmful in it by way of propellants/additives in aerosols! Some silicone lubricants claim safe for use on plastics. Thetford's toilet seal lubricant is often recommended for stopping rubber seals sticking to windows, so seems to be OK.

As to the chemical resistance of the rubber seals themselves, that's a bit of an unknown, as many different types of rubbers out there, some more resistant than others, probably best to get the Lithium grease off and play safe!


via mobile 06/5/2024 at 5:34pm
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Hence the reason I suggested the window be covered..!!


via mobile 06/5/2024 at 5:44pm
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I wonder what components are present in vehicle brake systems and what are the components made from...also what is the type of liquid is used to manufacture brake fluid?


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06/5/2024 at 6:20pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
View Monty15's Profile View Profile   Reply to Monty15 Reply   Quote Monty15 Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by Toad acaravan on 06/5/2024
I wonder what components are present in vehicle brake systems and what are the components made from...also what is the type of liquid is used to manufacture brake fluid?



It used to be a vegetable based oil, hence it's propensity to absorb atmospheric moisture and need frequent changing, but had a few cars in recent years with different and incompatible fluids to the old stuff - remember old style fluid stripping paint VERY effectively!!!! .... not sure about modern stuff.

One of the challenges with brake fluid is finding something with a consistent viscosity over quite a wide temp range, otherwise the brake peddle effort would vary greatly between cold and hot days, AND it has to not degrade/alter is characteristics when subjected to VERY high temperature from brake components when braking exceptionally hard!

The components in a brake system are made from steel, aluminium, synthetic rubbers, plastics and probably a few brass bits. Quite a range of materials to consider, and avoid chemical damage and electrolytic reactions by the fluid!


06/5/2024 at 6:22pm
 Location: London
 Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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Quote: Originally posted by Toad acaravan on 06/5/2024
Hence the reason I suggested the window be covered..!!



Was thinking more of the risk of it washing out of the hinge and onto the window when it rained!



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