Original Window Tint???

OneLapper · January 17, 2009, 07:57:16 AM

I bought new rubber trim to redo 4 of the OEM sliding windows in my 4106. The bus came with a spare window assembly so I pulled that into the warm basement to reassemble with the new rubber. The window panes have a greenish tint to them. Is that original or did they come through with clear windows like the windshields?

Thanks,

Mark

pvcces · January 17, 2009, 09:34:53 PM

Mark, those had a green tint from the factory that was said to aid in keeping the outside heat from getting into the coach. The glass people that I talked to gave me the idea that the tint might be hard to match.

If you are serious about keeping the original tint, the windows come available every now and then.

For what it's worth.

Tom Caffrey

OneLapper · January 18, 2009, 06:18:36 AM

Thanks Tom, I figured you or RJ would have known. The spare window assembly that came with the bus has a dark green tint and it doesn't look like it's just slapped it on there. The windows in my bus are tinted with poor quality stuff. The annoying thing about it is that some of the windows are tinted with reflective silver tint and other windows have black tint!

I'm planning on re-tinting the windows this summer, as I install the new rubber pieces to stop them from rattling and opening on their own!

Mark

John Z · January 18, 2009, 07:44:06 PM

Where did you get the replacement rubber for the windows, I would like to a few of my 4104 windows this coming summer.

OneLapper · January 19, 2009, 11:17:34 AM

John, I called Bill at US Coach. Believe it or not, they had the stuff in stock! I considered new windows but new seals for each window cost about $75. I haven't had the chance to install the new seals yet, but did pull my spare window into the basement to warm it up!

busshawg · January 19, 2009, 11:45:18 AM

Go for you for getting them into the basement.

Because it's so dam cold up here and I choose not to heat my small workshop this winter I loaded up the 5 side windows from my MC9 into the pick up yesterday. My intent was to move them into the basement so I could tint them a little darker. I backed the truck up to the house door where I met my darling wife. She said what are you planning to do with them? Ha ha I had told her just before I headed out the door, anyway I ended up taking them back to my shop and will have to wait till summer.

OneLapper · January 19, 2009, 12:07:11 PM

Grant, Grant, Grant. I sent the wife out shopping and THEN trucked everything into the basement! Down there it's just me and dog. Sometimes the cat. Neither of them will rat me out for fear of being tossed outside in the snow. It's been chilly in CT, but I'm sure it's much colder up where you are.

I also plan on re-tinting my windows. I don't think I have two windows that match!

Mark

busshawg · January 19, 2009, 12:36:23 PM

ha ha obvoiusly our freezing temps are effecting my way of thinking or I would have done the same. My wife doesn't spend any time down there either but does what I think is a weekly inventory of it.

gus · January 19, 2009, 01:32:58 PM

Mark,

Are you talking about all the window rubber or just the seals on the ends?

OneLapper · January 19, 2009, 06:07:40 PM

Quote from: gus on January 19, 2009, 01:32:58 PM
Mark,

Are you talking about all the window rubber or just the seals on the ends?

I have two different rubber seals, and the felt strip that goes between the sliding panes to stop the wind drafts and rattling. I got the big seal that goes around the outside of the aluminum frame. The other seal is shaped like a "C" and fits in the window pane alum frame that slides in the larger outer frame. The only seal I have to source locally is the foam/rubber seal that is glued to side of the window opening that seals the inside surface of the outer window frame. Follow that? LOL!

gus · January 19, 2009, 07:05:14 PM

Maybe the 4106 is not the same as the 4104, I thought they were the same.

The 4104 has no felt seal, at least mine doesn't. The outer sliding panel has a rubber seal running from top to bottom at the end. This rubber seal rubs against the inner sliding panel and seals against outside air. It looks a lot like the lower outside seal on an auto window.

This seal fits into a groove in the end of the outer window panel and probably doesn't even need to be glued. The groove spreads slightly wider at the bottom and the seal has small flanges on it that fit into this wider groove section.

I don't think I followed your explanation too well.

Is the C section between the glass and sliding frame?

Where is the felt strip? Seems to me felt would absorb water.

OneLapper · January 20, 2009, 07:00:58 AM

Gus, I'll take some photos when I get home tonight, time permitting. You described the outer seal well, and I was able to get those. The "C" channel seal does not contact the glass. It goes around the outside of the glass frame and the window slides open on this seal. I looked in my 4106 parts manual last night but didn't find a section covering windows.

The felt strip fits between the glass sliding frame to prevent the metal frame from hitting the other glass pane. Mine have rotted away and the metal to glass rattling is enough to drive my wife, 5 year old, 1.5 year old, dog, the 3 cats, our friends, and lastly the driver (me!) insane. I drove the bus to SC last Feb and my buddy who came with me spent hours fiddling with windows to stop them from rattling. I was amazed at how much quieter the ride was when the 8 windows didn't rattle!

BTW, the 4106 has larger windows than the 4104, but I don't know if they are of the same basic design. I would think so, though.

gus · January 20, 2009, 03:39:21 PM

Mark,

Now I'm beginning to get the picture. I thought the windows slid on the metal to metal on the outside frame, I didn't know there was supposed to be any felt between the sliding panels! No wonder they rattle!

Does the C felt seal fit into the stationary frame or on the sliding panel?

It makes sense from the noise aspect but not from the water one. Felt just sucks up water and I can't imagine using it where it is exposed to the weather?

I know what you mean by the noise but I was hoping the vertical seals would stop it. The one just behind me rattles and drives me nuts. I've tried all kinds of things stuck into the gap but nothing helps much. Luckily the Commanding Officer doesn't notice it!

I'm going to have to improvise with felt strips because the PO sealed most of my windows with silicone seal and I can't open them with the emergency releases. There is no space to get between the windows and the body to cut the silicone either. There is no way to remove a window without destroying at least the stationary frames. Fortunately I have some extra windows in case it ever becomes absolutely necessary to remove any.

I knew the 4106 front and rear windshields were larger but didn't know for sure if the sides were. Should have know though because the side windows all line up with front and back.

In my Parts Book the gaskets are mentioned in the Body Group 25 of the parts book, but they aren't clearly shown in the illustrations. They are shown by Key and Group Number on the illustrations and Group Number and name in the P/N listing but it takes a bit of searching to find Part Numbers.

OneLapper · January 20, 2009, 07:13:07 PM

Here are some pictures!

The felt seal is gray in color and replaces the black strip at the rear edge of the window. Note the very poor condition of the existing seal. You can see the black felt seal, the cat is trying to eat it.

OneLapper · January 20, 2009, 07:14:16 PM

And some more...