This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

What You Should Know About RV Foggy Window Repair

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

RV window with raindrops on it  - feature image for RV foggy window repair
Learn more about RV foggy window repair. Photo: Shutterstock

How To Repair Foggy RV Windows

If you have dual pane windows in your RV, you should know that eventually, they will get foggy. Foggy windows happen because RVs are subject to earthquake-level shaking whenever we travel. Every lump and bump in the highway shakes everything in the RV. This includes the seals that keep air and moisture from getting between the two layers of glass that comprise a dual-pane window. If your windows fog up, you’ll need to fix them right away to avoid damage to your RV.

Can you avoid foggy RV windows?

There is nothing you can do to prevent RV foggy windows from happening. Unfortunately, it happens sooner or later to dual pane RV windows as we use our RVs. However, soon as you see your RV windows start to get a whitish haze to them, you should repair the seals immediately. Otherwise, the moisture between the panes can cause permanent etching of the glass. If this happens, you’ll need to replace the entire window.

RV foggy window repair

If your dual pane RV windows get moisture between the layers of glass, you’ll have two options for getting them repaired. You can either have an RV foggy window specialist do the repair, or with minimal skills, a lot of patience, and a few tools, you can do the job of replacing the window seals yourself.

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Do It Yourself RV newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

Replacing a fogged up RV window will cost considerably more than repairing it. Replacing an RV window with a new one can cost between $300 and $2000. Repairing an RV window yourself or having a specialist do it for you costs between $80 and $300. If money is no object, then replacing foggy RV windows might be an option for you.

Do you need an RV technician?

There are RV foggy window specialists who will come and remove your RV windows, give them a deep cleaning, fix the seals, and then put them back in for you. Of course, this costs more money than doing it yourself.

Instead of having a mobile RV technician come to you, remove the window yourself and take it to an RV glass shop. An RV glass shop can disassemble the window, repair the seals, clean and dry the window, and then reassemble it for you.

DIY RV foggy window repair

Repairing a foggy RV window is simple enough that many people with minimal handyperson skills can do it themselves. Unlike thermal pane home windows, RV dual pane windows don’t contain argon gas.

By doing this job yourself, you’ll save a lot of money as you learn a handy new skill. However, you will need to approach the process in a step-by-step way, use the correct tools, and whatever you do, don’t skip any steps. Here are the basic steps to what you’ll need to do.

How to repair a foggy RV window

1. Assemble the tools you’ll need.

2. Remove the window valance.

3. Using painter’s tape, tape the inside window trim into place.

4. Unscrew the screws on the inside of the window trim.

5. Outside of the RV, carefully cut away any caulking and remove the window.

6. Carefully disassemble the window and label the parts.

7. Use an oscillating saw with a knife blade to cut through the window spacer that holds the two panes together. Use a razor or utility knife to scrape off any residue. Then wipe with acetone to remove any remaining adhesive.

8. Clean the inside surfaces of the window panes really thoroughly using a good window cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

9. Reassemble the window panes using butyl tape and the correct window pane spacers.

10. Have someone hold the window in place on the outside of the RV for you as you replace the screws in the trim.

Conclusion

We’ve given you the basic steps for fixing your foggy RV windows yourself. It isn’t a difficult process and can usually be done in a few hours.

For detailed directions, check out J Carlson’s informative, step-by-step video below.

J. Carlson shares tips on RV foggy window repair.

Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but you’ll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents.

Related articles: