[A/S] Window & Rockguard Replacement -Doing It Another Way

["Tom B." <gringo9779@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Howdy Again :>

This concerns a difficult-to-replace pane in one of the smaller of 3 
front windows on a 1970 Sovereign Land Yacht, a non-opening frame 
that normally would have to be chiseled-out & re-riveted to replace 
the pane, and requiring a [$200?] tool to finish off the job 
properly.
   Also, replacing the missing panel in the rockguard ["Solar 
Guard"?] frame that I brought home from the trailer purchase in my 
pickup-bed.

In none of my options was I going to buy a Factory Replacement 
Tempered Safety Glass to go in there -probably "someday", when I 
have more resources for a "project".  Right now, I just needed to 
get-functional ASAP & inexpensively.

Early research [& helpful info fr members here -thanks!] was 
discouraging, to put it mildly.  The window pane could be replaced 
by myself for "$30 in materials" [plus buying or borrowing that 
$200 "shaving tool"]...but looked like "A Good Summer Project". :-(  
Or paying an RV-mechanic $65/hour...yikes!
   The rockguard is $390 from InlandRV, and I haven't yet checked 
the freight.  Previous owner in WI said it was almost $300 to his 
location. [REALLY?]  Which of course doesn't include installation.
   [If you didn't already have the upper-track, & the brackets for 
the awning-arms, seems like we're again talking riveting & "shaving 
tool" -si o no?]
   If -in my time-urgent sitution- I simply ordered AS parts and 
took them to my "local" RV-repair shop [90-mile r.t :> ], my rough 
estimate is aprox. a $1000.  Maybe more.
   Out of the question at present.

Then a good friend suggested calling a glass shop in Belen, NM [also 
45 m. away] -the owner "Mike" has a reputation for doing 
the "impossible".  I talked to him about putting Lexan in the 
window, explaining what had to be done.  His reply:

"NO, WE JUST POP IT IN."
:> :> :>  [= me, GRINNING Lots!]

I asked how soon he could fit me in!

Last Wed. they took 45 minutes with it, mostly for making the 
template, and because -as always- they were busy.  [Yeah, this guy 
is popular- they come HUNDREDS of miles for his work.]
   They kept the rockguard frame "Come back Saturday".
   Took no money at all; could pay when I picked up rockguard.
   [Huh?!] :>

Saturday I brought it home, and Sunday I installed it.  See "Window 
Repair" album at http;//photos.yahoo.com/gringo9779.

Because I finished the install myself [instead of taking trailer 
down-mountain again], and getting the "cash discount", I paid $155.
   ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE.

TOTAL, both replacements.  Lexan for window, Acrylite for rockguard.
Normal installed price might be $65 for window, $150 for rockguard.
..............
PLEASE?! If you decide it's worth a trip to have Mike fix you up, 
please REMIND him, when he says "You're all set", that you haven't 
paid him yet, and/or that the quoted price he remembers was higher 
than what he recalls as he's finishing your job in his crazy-busy 
work-atmosphere.  [He TWICE tried to send me on my way w/o 
collecting!  Mike's a true "expert" at what he does -just needs a 
good cashier. :-) ]
     Belen Glass & Mirror, 701 N Main St Belen NM, 505-864-2911, ask 
for Mike.
...............
Now the CAVEAT: in doing the rockguard-install yesterday in cold, 
windy conditions, and after 5 hours struggling to remove duct-tape 
adhesive, I made a few [barely noticeable] boo-boos when 
drilling/fitting to the awning arms and lock-downs.
   :-(  Does anyone know of a filler-sealer, black or near-so, that 
works on acrylic?  Suggestions greatly appreciated!!!
..............
Final note: the duct-tape adhesive was on for "only" 10 days, and 
not in hot conditions.
    It was "a bear".  :-(

My research suggested naptha, acetone, denatured-alcohol..and WD-40 
[which suggestion I'd though ridiculous].
    The 1st three -plus a few other "super"-solvents I had- did 
NOTHING.  Evaporated far too quickly to be any use.
    You guessed it; the WD-40 worked.

"Work" is a key-word there.  Only by using VERY liberal amounts, and 
working it in with stiff toothbush and fingernails, wiping it with a 
small cotton-sock rag that was also used to catch the oil-run-off.
   Repeating this process over'n'over.
   Until I was sure my arm was going to fall off.

Using just my finger-pads to work in the oil when removing the 
adhesive on the plexi-pane adjacent to the broken one.  Tedious, but 
fingernails & toothbrush too scratchy for that plexi [replaced by 
prev. owner: don't know if it's Lexan.

Like I said, 5 hours.  In a few spots, the adhesive seems to have 
stained the aluminum, and in a few others, my fingernails put minor 
scratches on the metal.
    I'll get all that when I polish...S-O-M-E-D-A-Y!  Heh-heh :>

Tom B., Mountainair NM