Day 102: La Guardia de Jaén (Repairs)

My van has two sliding acrylic windows, which over time have become harder to open, even though for a "moment" they appeared to be easier to open following a thorough clean. However, it was more of an illusion than a solution. Shortly thereafter the stickiness of the sliding returned.

Today, the stickiness was such that, in attempting to open the window, I ended up breaking it!

Here we see the broken off bit temporarily "fixed" into place using sellotape!

Some online research informed me that the window was made of acrylic. Further research provided me with a list of possible glues that could be used to make an effective repair based on various criteria, including: ease of use, optical transparency, strength and drying time.

So then the issue became where could I buy said glues.

I eventually ended up in Leroy Merlin where Super Glue was purchased! Not the ideal solution but one that would have to do: None of the alternatives were available to buy! [Addendum: So much for my research, I've just discovered that super glue off-gases and sticks to oily surfaces, which has happened with my repair! So now the window has a white-hazy patch on the outer acrylic surface - damn.]

Having, roughed and cleaned the edges, practiced many times the "manoeuvre" to get the broken off bit swiftly and correctly in to place, I applied Super Glue to the window and then attached the broken off bit.

Obviously, I gingerly checked the strength of the bond and it appeared to by okay. A few minutes later I attempted a closing and opening event only to find the broken of bit, broken off again when attempted the opening!

Having cleaned of any residual glue and roughed the edges again, I made a second repair but, this time glued both surfaces. Moreover, I carefully checked to see if the bond looked as though it was good, it was; but for now I haven't done a strength test!

A couple of hours later, it seems to have bonded well but, the window remains really stiff to open and I'm reluctant to apply too much force in case it breaks again. The real problem is that it doesn't seem to matter what I do, I can't get either of the sliding windows to open easily. As I said, I've tried cleaning the runners; I've put soap on the runners, I've cleaned of the soap and tried ptfe (a dry lubricant), but still no joy. Not sure what to try next, maybe beeswax!

So it goes! Not the best of days .... but there's always tomorrow! ... at least until there isn't!!

• Distance driven: 13 miles (Leroy Merlin, Diesel, Lidl and Carrefour)
• Distance cycled: 0
• Weather: Blue skies and very hot (getting close to too hot for me!)