Window Rebuild, Different Latches?

[shortbusak]

Has anybody rebuilt their bus windows? Mine are extremely stiff to get in and out of a full closed position. Miserable on the fingers. I'd also love to get rid of the school bus style latch (the two hand pull towards the center) and build in something easier to operate and not so prone to randomly opening. Maybe a lever like on the emergency exits? Any experience or recommended parts are a huge help!

 

[Jsneeb]

If you regularly silicone spray the latches and window rails they will work smooth as butter for ever.

If yours have not been lubricated in a while then clean them real good with mild soapy water, use a toothbrush or similar tool to get the gunk out of the sliding area of the latches ( the pull to the center part ) then let it all dry and silicone them.

I do mine once a month and have no complains about the windows.

 

[TheatricalKate]

I thought silicone wasn't good to use on buses because it holds water and therefore can encourage rust...?

 

[musigenesis]

I thought silicone wasn't good to use on buses because it holds water and therefore can encourage rust...?

"Silicone" represents a really broad range of products that are formulated with all sorts of different properties. Silicone caulk as is used in showers and tubs is hydrophilic ("loves water") which means it becomes saturated with water and thereby prevents any more water from getting past it (this is why mold grows in the caulk sometimes), but when this is applied to metal (instead of plastic or tile) it promotes rust. Silicone lubricant is a hydrophobic powder applied in a solvent that evaporates, and provides some degree of water-resistance in addition to lubrication.