One of the first items on the punch list was to fix Lola’s broken windows. When I picked her up, Lola had three broken windows – rear window, one kitchen awning window, and one of the four small front awning windows. It was important to fix these windows not only for rain prevention and safety, but for cosmetic appeal. Lola’s new week day parking place is at a local storage facility, where they are very concerned about having a “Junker” on site. Lola is far from a Junker, but she still needs to present her best side to the public.
It didn’t take long to learn that many of the vintage trailer brands from Lola’s era used the same brand of windows – Hehr. Canned Hams to Airstream’s used the same windows. On my Hehr windows, the glass is held in with aluminum glazing strips and a unique screw and pressed locking nut system. The screw and locking nut work very well. After 60+ years they are all still attached, seemingly permantlly. To put it mildly, they are very difficult to remove and just as difficult to reinstall.
In any case, I was able to remove the screws, glazing strips, and glass. My local glass shop cut new glass, which I installed promptly. While the glass was out, I took the opportunity to brush down the frames with soap and water to remove some of the ground in dirt. When the skin is removed, to fix the structure, each widows will be removed, completely disassembled, polished, and reassembled with new gaskets. Until then the new glass will do.
A little research revealed that replacement Hehr window parts are available from http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com. I have already placed an order for new fasteners and gaskets. Looking forward to the order arriving.
