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03-24-2017, 10:39 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12
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Fogged Window Cleaning with Cerium Oxide Glass Polishing Powder
Has anyone out there successfully used Cerium Oxide to remove the "etching" that often comes with fogged dual pane RV windows? Any cautions?
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03-24-2017, 01:33 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,773
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I assume you are talking about cleaning the inside of the dual pane windows after disassembling. We had two windows rebuilt at Suncoast Designers and they said that some severe inside etching can not be removed. I assume this meant that the optical clarity was affected so much that one could not see through the window without significant distortion.
While not the specific information you requested, a company like Suncoast might be subject to some sort of optical minimum standard they must adhere to, while an individual rebuilding a fogged window might accept more distortion.
Suncoast Designers | RV Window Repair Specialists in Hudson, FL
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrandyh
Has anyone out there successfully used Cerium Oxide to remove the "etching" that often comes with fogged dual pane RV windows? Any cautions?
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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03-24-2017, 05:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,456
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I repaired 3 fogged windows on my coach. The worst was the drivers side, it got to a point where I could hardly see out of it so I had to do something. I didn't use the chemical you are inquiring about but I used a combination of steel wool and CLR which seemed to cut through most of the etching. After I did all I could do I cleaned the windows with lacquer cleaner first and then a good window cleaner. I then reassembled the windows. It's been about 2 years since I did it and so far so good. There is still some evidence of etching but not bad. Most people wouldn't notice it.
__________________
Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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03-24-2017, 06:03 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,580
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I bought some cerium oxide on fleabay to polish some fogged glassware. It took forever to get results. I don't know if it was the quality or grit size, but it was a lot of work.
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03-25-2017, 07:22 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 775
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Some panes on our previous coach were so etched I just ordered new glass. Had 4 panes shipped to me for around $200.
__________________
Hank & Lynda
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 35U, Workhorse W22
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03-25-2017, 12:23 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 70ChevelleSS
Some panes on our previous coach were so etched I just ordered new glass. Had 4 panes shipped to me for around $200.
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Wow! 4 panes of tempered glass for $200 is a fantastic price (depending on size of course.
Could you please provide the contact info for that place?
Thx
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03-25-2017, 12:24 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lynnmor
I bought some cerium oxide on fleabay to polish some fogged glassware. It took forever to get results. I don't know if it was the quality or grit size, but it was a lot of work.
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Did you use a felt pad on a buffer to polish or do it by hand?
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03-25-2017, 12:35 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacwjames
I repaired 3 fogged windows on my coach. The worst was the drivers side, it got to a point where I could hardly see out of it so I had to do something. I didn't use the chemical you are inquiring about but I used a combination of steel wool and CLR which seemed to cut through most of the etching. After I did all I could do I cleaned the windows with lacquer cleaner first and then a good window cleaner. I then reassembled the windows. It's been about 2 years since I did it and so far so good. There is still some evidence of etching but not bad. Most people wouldn't notice it.
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JimJ - thanks for your response. I'm thinking I'll end up using your method on my windows.
I have the fixed pane on the drivers and co-pilot windows to fix and want to try to fix them myself before admitting defeat and shipping them off or buying new. Since I'm retired I have plenty of time to work on them.
If I can get a deal on replacement panes like 70ChevelleSS did I might change my mind tho. . .
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03-25-2017, 03:54 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wrandyh
Did you use a felt pad on a buffer to polish or do it by hand?
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I made a fixture and spun the glassware in a lathe while using wooden sticks and an air powered die grinder with a felt bob. Some features of course needed to be done by hand. I used diamond compound to do the bulk of the polishing and cerium oxide for a final finish. I was surprised at how little the cerium oxide did and wonder if there is a better grade. This is my only experience with using the stuff. I have quite a number of pieces that need polishing and I am open to any ideas.
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04-03-2017, 10:23 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 12
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Update on my Fogged Window project
So....I pulled the co-pilot window out of my 2004 Fleetwood Flair and fixed the fogged windows. Both the fixed and slider were fogged.
I was lucky as the fogging wasn't very advanced and the window panes were not etched. Here are my "lessons learned" from my project.
1. Mostly a one person job except when replacing window frame back in the MH.
2. Take your time with disassembly (I took pics of how things looked as I progressed for reference)
3. Hardest disassembly was removing the end piece with the lock from the slider - using solvents really made a mess!
4. Let the sealant cure before reassembling the windows into the frame (24 hours). This really slows down the process.
To the folks out there who said they did five windows in a day I doff my hat to ya - no way I could do that.
This is a great forum - thanks to everyone who posts DIY stuff. Wish there were a DIY forum within IRV2.
My next project - replacing the front AirLift airbags.
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