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Hi Crad2 and welcome.

I have just finished the repairs around the front window on my 87 Daystar with guidence from a friend who used to repair caravans for a living.First you have to stop the water getting in, mine was leaking from the rubber window seal which was cured with a tube of non setting Black windscreen sealer ( £5 from a car windsceen repairer ). Clean behind the seal with panel wipe and use a mastick gun to run around behind the seal.I also sealed the aluminium trim and used mastick where the side light wires enter the body.

The inner panel is only hardboard which goes soggy when wet so remove the curtain rails and then the hardboard panel to see how bad it is.I let the wood dry out first and things were not as bad as i first thought.I had to replace the softwood frame on one side and part of the plywood above the window. I cut the rotten wood out with a sharp wood chisel and replaced with new timber and No nails. The top and bottom frames are only 2 pieces of about 20mm ply and very crudely made so are not hard to replace.I replaced the inner panel with 3mm oak faced plywood using brass panel pins and No nails with cardboard templates to get the shape.I did the corners separately and the top and bottom in 2 pieces to make things easier. When finished you cant see the repairs because the curtains hide it.

I hope this helps but if you have any questions, just ask.

Steve.

Thanks for all advice. In reply to Steve's comments the inner part above the window feels spongy to press but the worst is down both sides of the window there doesn't seem to be any wood left just a black mess behind the vinyl covering. I did seal around the rubber with the black windscreen sealer about 5 years ago. I'm sure the window needs to come out as it looks a serious problem, is this a hard job?

Thanks again

I am told the front window is not easy to remove and replace. It can be half a days work for two people who know what they are doing. The wooden frame can be replaced without removing the window. The sides are fairly easy but the top frame is a bit awkward because you have to pull the rubber out of the way to get at it. If the rot on the sides goes down beyond the window shelf you should be able to get at it from inside the front locker with the locker panels removed. With the rotten timber removed put a hose pipe on to find where the water is getting in.

Removing the rot is not pleasant and soul destroying but once you start replacing with new timber you will find it's not that hard and very satisfying.Again any questions please ask or email me. s.bowers@ntlworld.com

Steve.

Cheers for giving your e-mail Steve, might have to  take you up on that!

I'm crad2@hotmail.com

Quote: Originally posted by jonboymanilow on 28/8/2013

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can anyone tell me how to fix my damp wall which seems to be all around my side window in caravan? any advice would be apreciated.

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