How To Fit Bonded Windows

So,

You got the van, and now y'all've reached the first major milestone of your campervan build, fitting the camper windows!

it'southward the point of no render, and the bespeak where your dream becomes reality…..

You are about to cut a big gaping hole

in the torso of your van!

At that place's no going back from hither……

Whilst you may call back cutting a big hole in your van for your window is scary stuff …..

Don't panic, it might be a long procedure, but it'due south a lot easier than you call up.

The key to plumbing equipment windows like near things, is good preparation.
Be certain of your measurements of your windows before you start,

mensurate – check – measure – check, and measure out again.

And that's it, don't exist agape have some conviction in your ability.

Putting a hole in the side of your van is a daunting task,

but trust me – information technology is a relatively easy process.

So, lets get started so!

Heres a curt video on my ain window installation and the problems I had:

TYPES OF CAMPERVAN WINDOW.

In that location are two different types of campervan windows you can cull from;

1- Single pane bonded drinking glass windows

and

2- an acrylic style window unit.

Unmarried pane bonded glass windows,

these would be the windows that fit into the sunken panels which already exist in your van torso or where the windows would be if your van was your jitney allow's say.

Bonded windows as the proper name suggests are stuck directly on you're a van from the outside,

and stock-still with a polyurethane bonding agglutinative.

When fitting the window you're quite literally cut out a hole and sticking on a window.
Bonded Windows come already specified for your specific van.

They tin exist bought with a factory tint or clear,

And, they tin can be got with sliding windows built-in, or as a plain pane of glass.

So, you've got a little bit to think of, if choosing a bonded window.

The 2d style is an acrylic window.

These windows are what you would associate with a bespoke camper build.

They are equally the proper noun suggests again a plastic window unit.

Acrylic windows at agree a sure reward over bonded windows

because of their versatility,

They come in many different shapes and sizes to suit whatever needs yous might take,

For instance;

Thin rectangular windows for bunk beds, or a frosted window for bathroom etc.

Also, acrylic windows come up in ii parts,

the plastic window opening is fixed from the outside of the van,

again using polyurethane adhesive.

And inside there is a second function which sandwiches up confronting the wall paneling and insulation,

This provides a nice clean shroud

so you can stop up with a manufacturing plant look from your task.

The 2d inside panel too comes with a built-in blind and wing-screen,

This does away with the demand for curtains subsequently on.

The biggest downside to the acrylic windows is price…

they can be double the cost if not more than, of bonded windows, depending on size!!!

So thats the window types,

The side by side job is choosing the window location.

The principal objective of installing a window is to provide light,
so,

that should be taking into account first and foremost when because a window location.

and don't worry if you lot don't get it right the outset time!

Because an acrylic window can be cut in once more, to provide more light,

even afterward y'all have finished your build!

My communication is this, install your principal windows first and foremost

and every bit the build progresses yous volition accept a better idea on how much light you might need.

Fitting a bonded window to your campervan.

Permit's start with bonded windows.

A skillful little tool to take in your Arsenal

are these suction cup drinking glass holders

they really make the process much easier.

First and foremost,

offer upwardly your window to the console where information technology will finally be fixed,

This will make sure you take the correct window

(You may recall this is silly practice but believe me information technology has happened!

A hole has been cut and the window did non fit)

The adjacent thing to do is to make a cardboard template of your window,

cutting the cardboard slightly larger than the un-tinted see-through part of

the window

leaving the black tinted part exposed

as this will exist the size hole you lot will be cutting.

It is good exercise to mask thecut line,

this has two purposes;

firstly it creates an easier surface to Mark with a Sharpie

and secondly cut it prevents paint from chipping.

Cutting out your van console to fit the window.

The side by side job is the frightening part!

Cut the internal raised section of the panel

leaving approximately one inch flat surface for the window to Bail to.

In that location are few different tools ane could apply to cut the panel,

I use a miniature grinder to cutting through the panel.

Although it tin be sometimes difficult to handle when pulling confronting the grain.

I frequently have to gear up for a Kickback which could finish in tragedy if non dealt with correctly!

Y'all could also use a jigsaw with a steel cut bract,

again this is non exist without its drawbacks,

Likewise, you could utilize a reciprocal sawzall, once more with a steel blade,

It's possibly a ameliorate option just it requires a steady hand equally kick back can exist an issue,

no matter what method you lot chose, it will exist a slow process, And so take your time you have lots of it.

The correct tool to use is called a nibbler,

merely honestly, unless you lot have i at hand, or I tin borrow one

I would non recommend buying one only to cut out for a few windows the cost would non justify the expense.

so at present you lot have a large pigsty in your van! and yous have got loads of light internally,

exciting times……..

But don't end there information technology's time to fill that hole.

Preparing the metallic for plumbing equipment the window.

Heres a brusk video of preparing the blank metal around the window opening:

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Firstly, make clean the freshly cutting surface of whatsoever sharp edges or burrs equally they are called,

this tin be done with a file or,

run the flat edge of the grinder forth the surface just to clean it upward.

On some vans depending on make, in that location can be a double skin body on the van.

An inner and an outer skin, then both will have to be cut and treated.

Information technology is common practise to fit a condom window dewdrop

to the Inner Peel To cover up the Sharp Edge and to leave a amend cease.

It is also appropriate to treat the edges with an anti-rust primer such as this 1.

The next performance on the list is to make clean the outer surface of the panel.

Peel off the masking record yous laid on earlier,

Then wipe the surface clean with the cleaner fluid provided with the polyurethane adhesive,

A generous layer of primer is required on the panel surface.

which besides comes with your kit.

Echo this same cleaning process on the surface of the window where the panel will exist binding to.

Now it'southward time to lay down a overnice thick bead approximately half an inch thick of polyurethane adhesive.

Take annotation,

weather weather have to be considered when using this adhesive!

if it'due south raining, and the van is outdoors, well so forget about information technology!

Dry cool weather are needed for the adhesive to set correctly
(not too cold and not too hot).

Also,

I advise investing in a good quality adhesive applicator gun

considering, I find the pressure needed to squeeze this adhesive out,
volition break the trigger on a cheaper gun.

Once y'all have a consistent bead with no gaps, Information technology's time to set the window (preferably a 2 human being job)

Fitting the window to your conversion van.

Ready two suction grips to either side of the window,

Put the window in place pushing from the outside and pulling from the inside,

message the window a little from side to side

to ensure good strong bail all around.

Then, hold window in place for 5 to 10 minutes.

It tin be a good thought to put plastic shims on the underside of the window

to keep information technology even and to stop sagging whilst the agglutinative is setting.

for extra peace of listen,

I attach bungee cords to the suction pads on the inside to keep constant force per unit area for a farther hour or and so.

Also tape the windows from the top on the exterior using the stiff duct tape or equivalent,

some people might think this is overkill

only it is definitely better to be safe than sorry in my book.

Do not drive your van up to 12 hours after plumbing fixtures new window equally an added precaution.

if your bonded drinking glass window has a congenital in sliding window,

it is important to note that there are 2 water draining outlets on the bottom of the window.

Exercise non block these draining ports when applying polyurethane adhesive to these windows,

that will crusade a whole load of trouble you lot just don't want!

A blocked drain port will cause rainwater to build upward in the window sliding channel,
which will eventually overflow and saturate the within of your van!

So, at that place you have it.

That is a complete guide to fitting a bonded window, warts and all.

So,

Lets move on to fitting an acrylic window unit to your van conversion.

The second type of window is the Acrylic motorhome style window,

complete with blind and fly screen.

As I said before this type of window

whilst being more expensive and slightly more labor intensive,

The window gives a cleaner professional terminate in the finish.

These windows come in two parts,

an outer skin and an inner skin.

So lets get to the process of plumbing equipment this campervan window unit.

The showtime thing to practise is brand up a ii×1 inch wooden support frame.

The wooden frame should exist a snug fit around the raised collar of the outside peel.

Again;

Information technology is appropriate to make a cardboard template of this raised collar,

this volition make life easy for marking out the windows position.

When cut the steel,

go through the very same process has the bonded windows,

lay downwardly masking tape where the cutting will exist fabricated to forbid scratches and paint chipping.

mensurate twice and cut in one case as the onetime proverb goes.

When the hole is cut,

run a file or the apartment surface of the grinder on the Edge of the cut panel,

to remove whatsoever Sharp pieces of steel.

Then treat the cutting surface with some anti-rust primer.

The wooden frame can now be stuck to the inside surface
using an adhesive.

Once the frame has set you're ready to fit the window.

Plumbing fixtures the acrylic window unit to your conversion van.

Get-go put a thin bead of sika flex effectually the inner surface of the outer window part of the window unit.

place the window in position and use some tape to hold it there if you don't accept another pair of hands helping you lot.

Fit the inner skin in position and spiral the 2 halves together using the screws provided in the kit.

And that'southward it!

Don't be agape have some confidence in your ability

Putting a hole in the side of your van is a daunting chore merely trust me information technology is a relatively easy process one time you go into it.

Fitting a window into your panel van conversion is the first big footstep in your conversion projection.

So take the time to get it correct!

A successful window fitting will fix y'all up for a successful projection.

And then get out there and get on with it, less reading more cutting!

And,

Permit be sure to allow me know your own experiences in the comments beneath.

Source: http://vantolife.com/how-to-fit-a-window-into-a-campervan-conversion/

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