Exterior Vinyl Window Trim

[ChiefJohn]

I has one of those 'Rockin' moments this morning during my daily walk-around of the Excel. The white window trim on my coach has yellowed with age and I've tried numerous cleaners with no success. I tried to remove the vinyl insert and was surprised that it was very easy to remove/replace.

Has anyone found a source for replacement trim? Probably comes in a roll that you cut to fit for each window.
John

[ChiefJohn]

I has one of those 'Rockin' moments this morning during my daily walk-around of the Excel. The white window trim on my coach has yellowed with age and I've tried numerous cleaners with no success. I tried to remove the vinyl insert and was surprised that it was very easy to remove/replace.

Has anyone found a source for replacement trim? Probably comes in a roll that you cut to fit for each window.
John

[clspds]

Chief,

I recently discovered the same. I read somewhere that it is available from the window manufacturer. I have been going to call them but just haven't got to it yet.
Good luck.

Paul

[rockintom]

I've heard you can use "Awesome" and use some elbow grease and they will lighten. I've tried it on the frame around door glass and it does work but takes a lot of time.

I also think I've seen the strips in CW, but not positive. Later, the fish is callin'

[Gypsybill and Jennifer]

While I am not familiar with the trim on Excel windows, if it is anything like what is around most 5th wheel entrance doors, Camping World sells it by the roll...

[Workshop]

Chief,

I also have some of the same problems with the insert you mentioned. Also have one section on the large rear window where one of the panes insert has shurnk a bit and not fitting at one of the mitered corners. The prior has all types of stuff in there I would like to remove.

When to Hehr's web site and looked around, got there contact list and called their Indiana Window Plant. Got no answer, maybe after hours. Called the Kansas plant and the person who answered the phone sounded more 'residental' than a company as they didn't ID the company or initally have much idea what I was talking about. Eventually we connected and she called the item 'Glazing Bead'. If it is the same product, it's part no. is 009344-41 (white) and sells for .66 a foot. Asked about ordering and a service dept. Was told they didn't have one and it could be ordered from her and by the foot.

Decided I wasn't giving my 'card' number to Customer No Service over the phone. Will e-mail a picture of the trim to one of their other Plants and see what happens.

Will let you know what I find out.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks Chris -- you're 'okay' for a Navy boy! I've got to be careful where I say that, as my oldest son might not appreciate my humor He's in Beijing and probably is not even aware of this forum!

I'm sure we're not the only "'Rockin' impersonators" out there that are nit-picky about their 5th wheels. Get her all shined up and ready to take her out and she has ring around the collar (door/windows) that detracts from the coach.

[Highgturn]

Although I have not tried it, one of the guys at the Service Center told me that toluene will remove the yellowing of the vinyl.

[Workshop]

Chief,

Here's what I found out and know. Contacted Hehr and they sent my e-mail to one of their wholesellers who then contacted me.

Below are two pictures of my unit and the trim I asked about as these are the ones I have trouble keeping clean or in one case needs to be replaced. The picture will show the Hehr part number and cost and hopefully read it correctly.

Body of the e-mails that Doug sent for information/contact purposes. Haven't tried cleaning my trim lately. Last time I did was after purchase because of dirt, mold and mildew (black stuff). Scrubbed and used heavy bleach on a rag to help remove the rest, washed and rinsed well afterwards. Did a good job and getting close to needing something again. Thought I had chose a smaller Pic size!

Glazing rubber for stationary glass: Part #: G-White____$4.15 foot



Top Glazing rubber: Part #: 009-482___$4.19 foot

__________________________________________________ ______________________________________

E-mail from Doug Parsons in reference to the window trim:

We are the wholesale distributor for Hehr windows and have been given your email request.

The glazing rubber for around your stationary glass is part #G-white and is sold for $4.15 per foot.
The top glazing rubber is part # 009-482-white and is sold for $4.19 per foot.
The 009-482-white is currently special order and would take about 2 -3 weeks to get.

I'll be happy to help you if you want to order, please call me.

Thanks,
Doug Parsons
ParKin Accessories
2920 Gateway Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
1-800-637-8938
www.parkin-acc.com


This is a response to a question to Doug on cleaning the trim:

The best thing I've found to clean the white rubber is a powdered cleanser with a sponge that has a scotch-brite pad and water.
It's a cleanser that comes in a can and is a powder that you shake out on to your wet sponge then scrub. (Bonn-Amy is what I use. Not sure of spelling)
It usually works well on mold & mildew but won't make the rubber white once it's turned yellow.

__________________________________________________ _______________________________________

I will be ordering the top glazing next week. A whole 2 ft. Just another dirty picture of my unit.

Hope something helped.

[ChiefJohn]

Thanks Chris! I'll get my order into Doug next week --- I'm guessing approximately 20 ft.

As an aside, I discovered today that Goop hand cleaner is an excellent black streak, tar, grease, etc. remover for the Gelcoat. Also removes the dirt that builds-up on the caulking around the doors/windows. I had a rag that was wet with Goop and decided to try it on several areas-- rinsed with water when finished. Left no residue and did not dull the Gelcoat.

[ChiefJohn]

Update on the vinyl window trim (glazing rubber).

First, thanks to Chris for his research. The glazing rubber on my 2005 is different than that posted by Chris in his pictures.

This trim lays flat in the channel of my Hehr windows on the pane that does not move. There are several weep holes in the frame to allow any water to drain. I removed the glazing rubber by gently pulling it out--inside of the rubber is ribbed to fit snugly in the frame. be careful or you'll get WET -- the glazing has an open channel through the middle. All of mine were full of water--except one, and that's the one SC had out and caulked when they replaced.

Soaked in a bucket of soapy water, then used a Magic Eraser and Simple Green Non-Toxic BBQ Grill Cleaner. You'll also find that the ribbed portion of the inserts is very dirty as is the window frame it fits into. The inserts cleaned up real well -- used my air compressor to blow the water off (especially in the open interior channel hole) and coated with 303. Then I sealed the end of each glazing rubber with white silicone.

Not as technically descriptive as Chris' detailed explanations, but hopefully helpful.

[clspds]

Thanks Chief

Now I have another item on my todo list.

Paul

[ChiefJohn]

Paul,
I wouldn't want you to get bored!

Please note, this is not a PI issue, its a vendor (Hehr) correctable problem. Dab of silicone in the end of each glazing rubber and water would not collect inside.

[clspds]

Chief,

I agree that this is not a PI issue. I took a couple of the inserts out this afternoon and the center tracks on mine is completely dry. Dirty but dry. Are you sure your drainage holes are clear?

Paul