Seal lost on thermopane window

[jjrbus]

 On reasearching this I found a glasss shop, it is amazing how few shops there are.  The man who owns it told me that once the seal is broken the chemical used as a disectant will etch the inside of the glass and rendered it unusable. He stated, belive me I have tried. His suggestion was to use a laminated auto glass for replacemnt at about $150, or go to an RV dealer to locate a replacement insulated glass.
He indicated that he does not have access to thin insulated glass and that an RV dealer would be the best option.  I dont know about you but an RV dealer would be a last resort. So back to the web to find a manufacturer.   Jim

[Bob Belter]

Ahoy, BusFolk,

1:      I'd suggest you try flooding with Argon gas as discussed above.  (I have made ~~40 thermopane windows for my home).

2:      There is not a vacuum inside.  The glass is nowhere strong and stiff enough to sustain the loads.

3:      Silicon sealant is NOT effective for thermopane.  It transpires water vapor.  Butyl rubber is what to use.  Hot melt butyl is the way to go.  I don't know how effective ordinary caulking gun butyl would be  --  Give it a try -- Might work ,and it dissolves with mineral spirits if it does not work. 

Enjoy  /s  Bob

[Sojourner]

Amen of what Bob Belter said...NO SILICON sealant. Butyl only. They make a butyl compound with desiccant that being use every day.

The today method is to use hot-melt desiccant compound along with newer type sealing compound & spacer.
Open the link and cursor over the color dots:
http://www.adcoglobal.com/adcoproducts/was.asp

Here a link to "No window is ever hermetically sealed" I am learning that it true from seeing thermopane getting cloudy in time.
http://www.sunshinewindowcleaning.com/windowdefog.htm

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry