Rear window

[N2865C]

Can the rear window be replaced without disturbing the headliner. After looking at it about a hundred times I think I've decided it's a definite maby.........
It looks like it can be done by just removing the side panels, but I would appreciate any advice from anyone thats been there before I pull everything out.
jc

[johneeb]

jc,

I have replaced the rear windows twice which means my experience adds up to a grand total of 4 windows.

I have been able to remove the windows by drilling out the bottom and some of the side rivets in the glass retainer and sliding the glass down. I did not have to disturb the head liner.

Each time I have replaced the crazed windows the airplane looked 50 years younger with the new glass.

Johneb

[AR Dave]

Another front porch delivery?
Where's the best place to get them and how much for, 1955 Cessna 170B, rear windows?

[zero.one.victor]

Might be an good idea to measure the size & thickness you need, buy the windows as flat stock,& cut them to shape yourself. You might be able to save some money. Plus, I'm not sure anyone even sells pre-fab side windows for our airplanes anyway.

Eric

[N1478D]

Robert over at Eagles Nest ordered back windows for his B and put them in, let me know if you need me to ask him where he ordered them. I still have the A model versions that were sent to him in error. They still have the protective coatings on both sides.

[lowNslow]

Note that the original windows where 1/16" material (very flimsy). I would suggest going to 1/8" material used in the door windows. These can be installed without removing the headliner, but it's a bit of a pain. Just buy the flat stock material and use your old window as a template for the new windows.

The Assoc. 170 Maintenance Book has a good description of how to replace the rear windows. (They used the thicker material)

[Watkinsnv]

Well I checked out Great Lakes and ordered 4" bubbled side windows in gray tint, with STC paper work for a early model 172. So's to help get me a field approval for my 170B. I used the aircaft companies name that I work at and got an additional 20% off which almost paid for the rear windows 1/8" thick in gray. The rear windows are in a bad way and I was going to buy the plastic and cut it out and save some money which is what I always do, but with the savings the color will match I can spend the time installing them before its long overdue first flight. Lance[/url]

[zero.one.victor]

What kinda price are they getting for the bubbles? I see WagAero sells some but theirs are tagged as fitting 1974 & up 180/185's. Don't know if they'd fit a 170. They list for $218 a pair.

Eric

[Watkinsnv]

I paid $120.00 a piece for tinted. Wag-Aero uses one of the plastic manufactureres and they drop ship it. The price is probably about the same. Lance

[AR Dave]

OH I've got news!
Had a local fellar come out to the hanger today and work on one of my window's. He advertizes tinting and scratch removal on aircraft windows. The system that he buff's on, chemically removes all the scratches and etc., right then. He just made one of my back windows new again in 30 mins., and it was scratched from backpacks, fishing lures, etc.. He's going to finish the whole plane sometime this week. This has caught on at our airport. I learned about it from the 340 getting done next door. This is a neat trick!

[Kyle Wolfe]

Hey Dave, tell us more about the process your guy used. Sounds interesting and many of us may jump at something similar. What's it called? Company/franchise name, etc.?

[mrpibb]

When I did my windows, I had the headliner down, reason being that I was also installing a set of hooker harnesses. Found corrosion on the upper window frame retainers that I woulnt of seen with the headliner up.

http://www.sandhillaviation.com/windowframe.jpg

Clean glass always makes the plane sparkle

[blueldr]

I strongly suggest that anyone thinking about bubble windows make an effort to ride in or fly a similar airplane with them already installed. My experience has been a disappointment due to tail buffet at high speed and gross distortion when looking thru them.
I haven't figured why they were ever approved, or even if they were approved. They are not positioned to where you can get any improved downward view unless you are a really small person.

[AR Dave]

Kyle, he finished up on my windows today! These windows were scratched from fishing poles and lures, backpacks, & you name it. And of course years of Matanuska Glacier Silt Dust Storms. I just paid this guy $200 to make all my windows look brand new. He did the outside and inside. When he was done, we just stood there in amazement. They are crystal clear. What a deal!

It's some kind of Acrylic Polishing Kit that he bought. He's a window tinting fellar (going to tint the top part of my front window next), he's been taking the scratches out and restoring headlights for sometime. The pastes that he buffs on has the chemical solution that cleans up minor to moderate scratching. Now he's learned on my plane to use the micro sandpaper stuff on deep scratches. As soon as he uses the sandpaper, he applies the chemical stuff and it polishes beautiful again. He finally finishes everything with Plexy window cleaner. I think he could run over a plane, that just needed moderate scratching taken out, in 30 minutes. He spent probably 8 hrs on mine, because of how bad it was, the bubble windows (love my bubble windows), and the V-brace is an obstacle. I told him that mine would be the hardest he'd every do.

[Kyle Wolfe]

Sounds like they turned out great! Can't wait to see the results.

Will this person be at Petit Jean? Maybe others who are interested. I'm thinking my rear windows could use this clean up - assuming it works as well as you say.