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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: belfert on July 08, 2008, 11:12:11 AM

Title: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: belfert on July 08, 2008, 11:12:11 AM
I need to remove one of my windows for a few weeks.  Any suggestions on how to cover the hole durng this time?  I will need to be able to open and recover the hole a few times.

No duct tape as I did that during the window covering phase and the duct tape adhesive failed when it got into July and the temps got into the 90s.

This window needs to be resealed anyhow and I want an easier way to get stuff in and out besides using the front door.
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: Blacksheep on July 08, 2008, 11:17:10 AM
No duct tape? Ah geez, can't help then!

BS
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: H3Jim on July 08, 2008, 11:23:32 AM
I repaced the glass with plastic / then fiberglass of the same thickness as the glass.  All the seals and frame could be re-used.  Can be painted to  mathc the bus, or left as is for a while.
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: FloridaCliff on July 08, 2008, 11:26:04 AM
Brian,

Get a tarp from HF or the like and drape it over the entire bus.

The tarp only needs to be the width or a little larger than the window.

Tie a few ropes to the tarp on the non window side and the same on the window side just using a few bungee cord to either fasten it to the under carriage or a few cement blocks on each side.

Cliff
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: HighTechRedneck on July 08, 2008, 11:36:27 AM
Not sure of the contours around your windows, but here is another idea.

Take a piece of 1/4"-1/2" plywood (1/4" will be lighter, hence easier to handle) 1-2" larger than the outside exposure of the window opening.  Apply a strip of adhesive backed weather stripping around the edge of it on the side to face the bus too make it reasonably weather tight and prevent marring the paint.  Attach blocks of wood the thickness of the wall (no thicker, a 1/4" thinner would work, but not thicker) to the plywood, in board from the edge just enough to fit in through the window opening.  Mount a piece of 2x2 atop each block using a single bolt.  Leave these pieces loose enough to pivot.  These are the latches.

Place the piece over the window and have someone inside turn the latches to hold it in.  Once in place, thighten the screws on the latches.
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: belfert on July 08, 2008, 01:01:43 PM
The plywood idea sounds like a really good one.  I think I have something that will work in 3/8" plywood.  It has some holes, but I can caulk them shut.

The window I am removing is a Peninsula/Motion Window so the whole thing is coming out.  The window is still good and I don't have any old window frames left.

Thanks for the ideas.
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: Busted Knuckle on July 08, 2008, 02:10:02 PM
Brian,
Cliff stole my idea! And I want it back! LOL! ;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: belfert on July 08, 2008, 08:52:43 PM
I thought about the tarp idea before posting here, but I am trying to sell my house so I don't really want a tarp over the bus.  The plywood window cover would be pretty well out of view.  I do have a massive tarp I covered the whole bus with back when I was skinning over the original window openings.
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: gumpy on July 09, 2008, 05:12:03 AM
What HTRN said. I'd add another couple blocks of wood and cross piece to the center to make a handle (or maybe two handles) so you can install it from within the bus by yourself. You should be able to put it through the opening diagonally and then line it up, pull it in tight using the handle(s) and then flip the latches over the edges.

Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: Busted Knuckle on July 09, 2008, 09:35:31 AM
Quote from: gumpy on July 09, 2008, 05:12:03 AM
What HTRN said. I'd add another couple blocks of wood and cross piece to the center to make a handle (or maybe two handles) so you can install it from within the bus by yourself. You should be able to put it through the opening diagonally and then line it up, pull it in tight using the handle(s) and then flip the latches over the edges.

also using wing nuts to tighten the latches will make it easier to be a one man operation too! FWIW ;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: Lin on July 09, 2008, 04:09:37 PM
The plywood seems like a nice way to do this job.  I just wanted to make sure that people know that gorilla brand duct tape has better adhesive than most.
Title: Re: Any ideas to cover window opening temporarily (No duct tape!)
Post by: belfert on July 09, 2008, 07:34:02 PM
I made a plywood cover for the opening, but the plywood I choose is kinda warped so it doesn't seal the best.  I need to add some more hold downs so it seals properly.  For now I put duct tape around it, but since the duct tape isn't holding any weight maybe it won't come loose in the heat like it has when the duct tape is holding up plastic.