Stuck window

mutski · Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:59 pm Post subject: Stuck window

Does anyone have a solution for sticky sliding windows in the 22 Cruiser? I couldn't get the driver's window open when I brought my boat up from Seattle, but I finally got it opened after a rainy night. It stuck again, but opened on a dewy morning. The passenger side also sticks, but not as badly.

Today I got them both opened, cleaned old pine needles and debri from the tracks and sprayed a bunch of silicon lubricant in the tracks. The passenger side seems to work better, but I closed the driver's side and now it is totally stucik. It seemed to slide freely except the last half inch at closing. Until I let the latch close, it was easy to slide back and forth. Now I'm hoping it will o pen on a cool dewy morning.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 6:11 am Post subject:

What we found that worked when the windows didn't want to open: push them forward (as when you're closing them), then squeeze in the latch to open. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it seems to break the "seal" from the gunk in the windows. Once you get the window open, clean the track thoroughly with a vinegar/water solution in a spray bottle. Let that dry, then spray on a dry lubricant like Mary Kate Liquid Rollers.

If you are able to hose down the boat after each use in salt water, pay extra attention to the window tracks, then spray with that vinegar/water bottle (also works good on salt spray on the front windows).

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 10:01 am Post subject:

Jim always great advice. I carry a micro crow bar, with vinyl over the tips. I put this between the latch and the frame, and pry very gently to get the window started. I use an old toothbrush to scrub out that track. A liquid silicone seems to make the tack more "sticky". Also using a low pressure--pressure washer to get the entire "felt" clean. Mold and other undesirable things will grow in that track.

Don't loose the window latch--they are expensive to replace. I know from experience...

ssobol · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 11:49 am Post subject:

mutski · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:03 pm Post subject:

I got them opened after the sun went down last night. I was trying to see where they stick. Either the sharp edge of the rubber seal stuck in the window track or the fuzzy seal where the back of the window meets the vertical frame? It's hard to tell. It's just the last little bit when the window latches when it gets stuck. I thought about using something to pry the glass, but that seems like too much risk of breaking it. If silicon makes it worse, maybe that's my trouble now. I ordered some Mary Kate Liquid Rollers. Smile

hardee · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:42 pm Post subject:

I have used Dry Silicone spray, directed into the tracks with one of the WD-40 spray straws AFTER hosing with copious amounts of fresh water and letting that be dry. I'm pretty sure that the Mary Kate Liquid Rollers is the same thing.

The push forward and press on the latch is a good tool too. The combo has always worked for me. I do the Silicone spray twice a year, the fresh water hosing every time the boat comes out of the water. And I use the vinegar water mist mist for washing the windows pretty often, sometimes more that once a day depending on the amount of salting the boat gets.

Hope that helps.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

croakz · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 1:48 pm Post subject:

I pried open my stuck window and cracked it. The glass company didn't secure the latch that well, so now I'm using a suction cup until I re-glue the latch.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-4-5-8-in-Suction-Cup-for-Handling-Large-Tile-and-Glass-75000/311173035

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2022 5:45 pm Post subject:

mutski · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:48 pm Post subject:

Mary Kate Liquid Rollers helps a lot!