Frosted/faded windows hard to see mirrors

[PDBaller]

2006 Georgetown 35'. The two windows that you would view the side mirrors from, have like frosted or faded inside the pains where I can barley see the mirrors now. Has anyone else experienced this. What would cause this and is it fixable or do I have to get the windows replaced?

[D W]

Back in the 50's and early 60's that used to happen quite often with laminated glass. Supposedly they improved the manufacturing process. I haven't heard about "frosted glass" in ages. I also know that side and vent windows changed from laminated glass to tempered glass, but I don't remember when.

[PDBaller]

Maybe, I miss worded this. I believe they are duel pain windows and I don't
know if the gas in between the pains has evaporated, but the inside has
fogged out the window, where I cannot see the mirrors. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do to remedy the problem.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by PDBaller

Maybe, I miss worded this. I believe they are duel pain windows and I don't
know if the gas in between the pains has evaporated, but the inside has
fogged out the window, where I cannot see the mirrors. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do to remedy the problem.

My Georgetown never had this problem you describe, but I know mine were NOT dual pane windows. After the seal is compromised, the only remedy is probably replacing them with single pane glass.

[realshelby]

There is a/few companies that have replacement glass for windows that have fogged up between the panes. On the Berkshire I had the entry window fogged up. This is important as the DP entry door is right where you look out to that side. I removed the glass, separated it. Cleaned it well and reinstalled it. Lasted about two years before beginning to fog up again.

[llr]

I had this happen on a 1994 Bounder.

I found new descant filled spacer strips somewhere, removed and disassembled the windows.

Cleaned the inside as good as possible, there was some glass etching,

Reassembled with the new spacers, sealed the outside edge with RTV. Seams like I pumped in a gas during assembly but don't recall, may have just been canned air duster.

This lasted a few years till I sold it. No idea how long it lasted in total.

[D W]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that FMVSS mandate shatterproof and laminated glass to be used in passenger areas of all motor vehicles. Don't believe that double pane gas filled windows fit this bill.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by D W

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that FMVSS mandate shatterproof and laminated glass to be used in passenger areas of all motor vehicles. Don't believe that double pane gas filled windows fit this bill.

Cars only use laminated glass for the windshield. That means there are layers of glass with a plastic-like layer between them. The plastic-like layer keeps the glass from shattering or fragmenting.

All other windows, including the rear window, are tempered glass. When those get impacted they shatter into small ball-like pieces rather than knife-like shards.

We have the optional dual pane windows in our Georgetown, all except for the windshield. These are not gas-filled like how home ones are filled with an inert glass such as argon; they simply use air. When the seal breaks they can get moisture between the panes that really affects the light transmission. If the moisture is not removed it can "etch" the glass to the point where it must be replaced.

Ray

[realshelby]

I can assure you mine were not laminated in the Berkshire. They are not laminated in the Georgetown either. Just tempered glass. FMVSS rules...might not apply to RV's?

[D W]

I stand corrected. After reviewing FMVSS, only motor vehicle windshields are required to be "safety glass". There's a long story about attempts to make all motor vehicle glass "safety glass".

[PDBaller]

Well, it has doubled in non viewable space within the window since 12/2023
to present. It is in fact duel pane and the fogged area is in between the 2 panes. I am in the northern California area. Would anyone know of a place that
can replace this glass. If it gets any worse, I won't be able to drive the rig.
Any help on this would be most appriciative. Iv'e called multiple auto glass shops in my area with not a one can help or recommend a place.

[realshelby]

https://www.rvfogdr.com/

That one is in Arizona. There are multiple do it yourself videos and links as well as other business's that can fix this just by "Googling Fogged window replacement in rv"

[RVwino]

Originally Posted by PDBaller

Well, it has doubled in non viewable space within the window since 12/2023
to present. It is in fact duel pane and the fogged area is in between the 2 panes. I am in the northern California area. Would anyone know of a place that
can replace this glass. If it gets any worse, I won't be able to drive the rig.
Any help on this would be most appriciative. Iv'e called multiple auto glass shops in my area with not a one can help or recommend a place.

We had the same issue in our former DP while on a long-term stay in Plymouth CA. The local mobile guy had no problem getting replacement glass and installing it.

The only difference was that the replacement was single-paned. i thought that the increase in safety was worth the decrease in insulation.

Have you tried these places?

• https://usarag.com/rv-windshield-win...ir-sacramento/
• https://sacramentotrailerrepair.com/glass-replacement/
• https://www.facebook.com/californiar...ibextid=LQQJ4d

[PDBaller]

Thank you everyone who replied. I am going to try and pull the glass out and clean and reinstall per the videos from you tube. Will update when finished.
Thanks again,
Pat

[llr]

Originally Posted by PDBaller

Thank you everyone who replied. I am going to try and pull the glass out and clean and reinstall per the videos from you tube. Will update when finished.
Thanks again,
Pat

I would find new spacer with desiccant. It wasn't all that hard to do. Cleaning and minimizing the etching on the inside surfaces of the glass was the hardest.

I did not have my wet diamond grinder/polisher at the time but I would think this would do well with a fine grit on the etched areas

[llr]

Originally Posted by D W

I stand corrected. After reviewing FMVSS, only motor vehicle windshields are required to be "safety glass". There's a long story about attempts to make all motor vehicle glass "safety glass".

Some cars do have laminated glass on other windows now, I understand it is being done for weight savings, it also makes it hard for someone to smash the window to break into the car.

[PDBaller]

Ok, Iv'e got the windows apart and found a lot of echoing in the glass. Iv'e tried
scraping, steal wool and acetone. Got some of it out, but there is still about
a quarter of the window still fogged. Any other applications I could try.
Thanks.

[realshelby]

If what you have tried leaves the glass unusable, then for most that is all you can do. Even for those with experience in polishing, the time/effort is way too much.
Simply take those panes of glass to a glass shop. Let them tell you what they can do to replace them. Flat glass is fairly cheap. Can be cut onsite. They might even have spacer material and be willing to assemble them?

[Bsinclair]

I have a 2007 370XL with the same exact problem

[gmann32]

Mine fogged up and I pulled the window out, disassembled them and took glass to glass shop! He took the glass apart and cleaned and use new desacant tape the right thickness and and then I took them home and reassembled the window and installed in motorhome!