If you’ve crank-shut windows on your RV that are leaking, it’s time to replace your RV window glazing bead.
Glazing bead, also known as glazing spline is the stuff that sits in a track inside your RV windows.
RV window glazing bead is typically made of vinyl which can get deformed, shrunken, or misshapen over time by a combination of use and being exposed to different temperature and humidity levels.
When this happens, it will no longer hold a seal, causing leaky windows in your RV and the bead must be replaced.
Fortunately, this is a simple fix and is very affordable- we’ll walk you through how to do it in today’s guide.
What Is RV Window Glazing Bead?
The glazing bead on your RV windows is just like a rubber gasket, and is also known as “face vinyl” in the glazing trade.
It pushes in between the glass and the frame or between the glass and the bead that clips in to hold the glass in place.
It comes in many sizes depending on the build of the frame and thickness of the glass in your RV windows.
How To Install RV Window Glazing Bead
As we mentioned, replacing your rv window glazing spline is a straightforward process which we’ll walk you through step-by-step.
Step 1: Find Out What RV Window Glazing Bead You Need
There are many types of window glazing bead that have different shapes used by different RV manufacturers, so you’ll first need to find out what kind your RV uses.
Start by prying out a little chunk with needle nose pliers at a seam and take note of the shape, and locate it online.
Some companies offer a sample kit you can buy that will let you compare your existing glazing bead to a few different shapes they have in stock.
Alternatively, you can contact your RV manufacturer to ask them what window glazing bead they used in your model.
After finding the right shape, order enough length of bead to fit your window(s).
Step 2: Remove The Old RV Window Rubber Glazing Bead
Removing your old RV glass glazing bead is pretty simple – just grab it and pull.
Make sure to get every bit out of the window track, using pliers to grab any pieces of bead that may have come apart during the process.
Step 3: Clean Out The Tracks
Vacuum out the track after removing the bead to remove any large objects.
Then, go through with a toothbrush or putty knife to get any other small pieces like glue, dirt, silicone, or anything else that may be stuck in the track.
Wipe everything down with a rag after you’ve got the track fully cleaned out.
Step 4: Measure and Cut Your New Glazing Bead
Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the total lengths of glazing spline needed for each window, making sure you have a few inches extra on each.
Make sure to cut your new bead in one piece per window – you want to minimize the amounts of cuts, as more cuts will allow more leaks.
Step 5: Install New RV Window Glazing Bead
First, start by soaking the glazing bead in hot, soapy water for 30-60 seconds.
This makes the bead softer and easier to fit onto your window track.
Start at the top of the window and press the camper glazing bead into the track, working your way around the entire window.
You can use a block of wood to apply larger amounts of bead to avoid hurting your fingers and to help coax the bead into the window track.
When you get back to your starting point, cut off an extra ⅛” beyond the joint to ensure a snug fit.
Step 6: Seal The Seams In Your Glazing Bead
Go over the seams where you cut your glazing bead with some synthetic rubber sealant to get a full seal and to keep any leaks from sneaking in.
Where To Get RV Window Glazing Bead
There are plenty of places online to get replacement window glazing bead for your RV.
Here’s a few Amazon has available:
Another place RVers have shared where they get their replacement RV window glazing bead is Pelland Enterprises – they have a 5-sample pack that has the most common bead sizes so you can compare to what you have before you order the full length.
Wrapping Up Our Guide To RV Window Glazing Replacement
We hope this guide helped you fix your window glazing so you can get back to enjoying your time in your RV.
Have any tips or tricks that will help your fellow campers? Let us know in the comments below.
If you’re into DIYing, check out our other useful guides on the best RV outdoor kitchen mods, what to do when your RV toilet won’t hold water, and how to fix an RV air conditioner that keeps freezing up while you’re here.