Repair Sliding Aluminium Window Tracks

On this Fixit Fingers Quick Fix, I'll show you how I repair stubborn old sliding aluminium windows to run smoothly again after years of neglect. Apart from a good clean and new rollers (wheels), I use a product called "Rolltrak Miracle Cover Track" from Bunnings which is not cheap, but quick and easy to install and will breathe new life into stuck or jerky windows. I'll show you how it works and how to install it in about 15 to 20 minutes with only a few very basic tools. Not sponsored, just a good product I've put to use many times in my 1970's apartment block here in Australia. For my American friends, I found a very similar product to fix Aluminum window sill tracks on Amazon. Link below!
Miracle Track at Bunnings - shorturl.at/nKQ46
Similar USA Product "Primeline" - amzn.to/3i7Bj1Q
The wheels you need to be careful to ensure you get the correct sized ones. There are a few styles, here is a good starting point: amzn.to/3w8drkZ
Caulking Gun - amzn.to/3uPxunP
Hack Saw - amzn.to/3wdIZpL
Screw Drivers - amzn.to/33K4AcX
Metal File - amzn.to/3w40lVV
Tape Measure - amzn.to/3uOUymT
The Full Fixit Fingers Tool Shop - www.amazon.com...
Follow Fixit Fingers:
/ fixitfingers
/ fixitfingers
Making Things Downunder? Why not join our Community!?
Aussie Makers Group
/ ozmakers
#window #DIY #repair

[@FixitFingers]

Pretty handy stuff that track! If this solved your problem please give it a Like (or a *"Thanks"* if it REALLY helped :P) and do subscribe for more Aussie woodwork and handyman DIY content.

[@chadfahlenkamp1134]

Brilliant. I've got a house full of these in various states of crappiness. Thanks for putting this easy to follow video together...very useful.

[@FixitFingers]

Good luck mate! Eventually, we had all 87 windows in the building replaced. But this trick kept about half a dozen of them going before that. Very quick fix once you've got your technique down after doing one or two ;)

[@Mirelarm]

Thank you. I appreciate the time you have given to make and post this video. I’ll give it a try.

[@FixitFingers]

Best of luck, I hope you have success. We eventually replaced every window in the building, but the half dozen or so that I fixed with this method in the years beforehand were all still holding up well.

[@Poor_Mans_DIY]

That was really cool. You mentioned a couple times that the cover track was expensive but if you think about the alternative of replacing the window will cost so much more , so your info can help save people lots of money! Great job!!!

[@FixitFingers]

Very true! I think if you were more the metal worker than I am you could make your own tracks for next to nothing out of thin stainless steel too to save even more.

[@gc5643]

Great video and explanation, thank you.

[@FixitFingers]

No Worries GC, glad it helped :)

[@dorianfulton7168]

Excellent, concise, clear video. Nice

[@FixitFingers]

Glad it was helpful Dorian 👍

[@oojagapivy]

I've replaced the wheels before on these type of windows. It was the best thing i did for the sliding glass door at my last place. But that track cover stuff is news to me. Thanks for the top tip.

[@FixitFingers]

I haven't tried the door track by the same company (I don't have any sliding doors here) but I'd imagine it works exactly the same way. It's amazing what we put up with until you fix it and realise how easy it was to make a big improvement.

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

Well damn, that is a pretty easy fix. 👌🏾 I never even gave it a second thought if those wheels were replaceable. Learnt something new, cheers mate, good job 👍🏾

[@FixitFingers]

Just make sure you bring one of the old ones to the store... there are a dozen different types and they are annoyingly similar. (Down to if your window slides left or right, but otherwise identical... made that mistake once 😅)

[@Bill.L.Carroll]

@@FixitFingers Cheers for the heads up mate 👌🏾 Our windows are still working fine (touch wood) however the screens are another story. I've replaced the buggered old fly wire with a trendy looking shade cloth, even did the screen doors to match. Problem is that I've done a couple of the window screens a tad tight which has pulled them out of square and pop off in really high winds. Yeah yeah, I'll get to em,,, one day! 😏😉😂🤣🤣🤣

[@ausfox8794]

Did the same job recently. Didn’t realise how easy it was to get the parts.

[@FixitFingers]

The big box store cops some flack, but for most people you can find almost anything DIY related. I didn't realise you could get the rollers there until this week, they had a dozen different styles for windows and doors.

[@DavesShed]

That's brilliant. I didn't know that existed. I have the age old problem with the sliding robe doors.

[@FixitFingers]

I literally stumbled across them at Bunnings a few years ago and was almost put off by the price. But being the handyman for an old Strata building like this one I gave them a crack and was very glad I did. I haven't tried the bigger ones for doors but I assume they should work just as well. Let me know if you try them.

[@MrTonyPerkiss]

LEGEND!! great video- thanks

[@FixitFingers]

Hope it helps Tony, eventually we replaced all 84 windows in the building, but this track held up well as a repair until then... and you don't want to know what the cost of 84 new sliding windows was ;)

[@captainsman]

My house was built in 2000 (Simonds) and the rail has disintegrated already. Will give this a try, thanks.

[@FixitFingers]

That's a bit of a shame, at least ours are nearly 50 years old. 😢 Good luck! I've done over half a dozen in our building now and no complaints from residents yet.

[@captainsman]

@@FixitFingers I was ready to get new windows, but will see if this can put it off until I can afford double glazed and better insulate in general.

[@FixitFingers]

We are looking at replacing all 87 windows in the building this year. Safety glass, UV protection and will stop the rattles in the wind ours currently get. So hopefully no more repairs for me for a while but the track has got us through. 😀

[@sumosprojects]

Quality tip James, liking you eclectic mix of informative videos 🎥🔨👍

[@FixitFingers]

You know me Sumo, I like to get around 🍻 Back to woodworking next I promise!

[@SarahLouiseIswell]

My slider frame has also pulled apart at bottom corner of handle side and the glass is pulled out of the frame and seal. Do you have a window repair for this as I can't get the glass back inbetween the seal and slide the frame back together and secure back together

[@FixitFingers]

No sorry Sarah I've not encountered the glass coming loose in a metal frame before. In wood I'd have a go at making a repair video, but aluminium frames are not my strong suit sorry!

[@desgoulding7154]

Great video mate. Thanks for sharing

[@FixitFingers]

Cheers Des, one of my practical repairs. Glad it is helping folks.

[@desgoulding7154]

@@FixitFingers all the very best for New Year mate.

[@wopt2p]

Hi James, this all looks easy, but what do you do if the window does not raise up enough to come out?

[@FixitFingers]

G'day Tony. I can't say I've encountered that. Your windows still slide but won't lift off the rails? Are they bent and old or just stuck?

[@wopt2p]

@@FixitFingers No they just dont lift up far enough to come out. Could they possibly change the runners from the each end?

[@FixitFingers]

Yeah, maybe the runners need to come off first. If there is a visible screw that releases the wheel you might be in business!

[@BuiltByChris]

Great video. Very informative and you made it look pretty easy. I have one or two windows at home that will benefit from that. Cheers mate.

[@FixitFingers]

Oh they are very easy, This is the 4th or 5th time I've used them and have intended to to film after the 1st as they worked so well... but the job was usually done before I got the camera out 😂

[@thomaselliott573]

Well done. Simple, practical and concise, without all the yank bullshit spiel that typifies their DIY videos. Great stuff

[@FixitFingers]

Cheers Thomas. I am a fan of a chat, so I consciously try to keep it to a minimum in my more 'how to' videos 😉

[@pajaro685]

The seals on the windows that look like strips of hair is by a company called schlegel, and those seals wear out. Makes them rattle and allows air to get in as well. It's probably available at Bunnings, and is very tricky to replace. Great solution! But to stop the track from wearing out, it's best to oil and replace the wheels when the first sign of a problem shows. Always in hindsight huh!

[@FixitFingers]

Im the Strata Manager and handyman for the building I live in so I get to see a lot of these issues. One track was so worn down the window literally fell out if you slid it open. The wheels must have broken 20 years ago and they kept just scrapping it along 😅 Thanks for the seal tip! When I want to swear a lot I might try that Schlegel strip replacement 😁

[@pajaro685]

@@FixitFingers Same thing happens on wardrobe doors! I discovered one of our screen doors had a broken wheel, and was scraping, caught it in time and i actually had a spare wheel! So it's good to go again.

[@renturner87]

I learned something today. Didn’t know about the track replacement stuff thanks mate

[@FixitFingers]

Hey Ren, cheers! Any news on your new shop mate?

[@renturner87]

Fixit Fingers been busy working and all that. Got a couple of ideas in the pipeline, so could be something coming up

[@FixitFingers]

@@renturner87 Looking forward to it!

[@gerij777]

If your window fits tight will the track cover add too much for the window to fit properly?

[@FixitFingers]

Doubtful Geri, they are super thin, won't change the clearance much. However if the window is super tight already you may be able to save your money and just replace the wheels, give the old track a sand to smooth it out and try that. This product works best on very worn down tracks. 👍

[@MaciejPiotrowski]

Very good video. Thank you.

[@FixitFingers]

Thanks Maciej, it's really an easy and cheap way to get more life out of old windows. I've had some windows totally replaced too and while they are very nice it was very expensive!

[@thevegasdeejay]

Can the lock on this type of aluminum window be repaired? A few of my windows will not lock. Looks like you have the same lock.

[@FixitFingers]

The catch or the key lock? The catch half way up the window is a simple clip-on unit on ours. Take a broken one to a window shop or big box and they should be able to point you to a new one. The key locks down the bottom are the safety restrictors which I installed on all the windows here. That are removable and can be retro-fitted to almost any window of this type.

[@timlorenz9936]

This is awesome thank you.

[@FixitFingers]

Glad it helped Tim. 👍

[@victorialavelanet]

Do you have a tutorial on fixing the frame/ glass, the seal of the glass to the frame has failed and the frame has pulled away from the glass in one side. Can you somehow secure the glass back to the frame?

[@FixitFingers]

Hi Victoria, sadly no I've not encountered this issue and have not thought about how I'd tackle it or products that could help. My initial reaction would be a clear silicone of the gap is not too big and the window glass is otherwise secure. Depending on the window you may be able to completely cut off the old seal, and re-install the pane. Hopefully you find a video to help! - James

[@Simsy5861]

Thanks for a very helpful video!

[@FixitFingers]

Cheers Geoff. Almost too easy, but like most things you pay for the convenience. Still, much cheaper than a new window!

[@poopyheadd9000]

what if the track is on the top of the window instead of the bottom ??

[@FixitFingers]

Apologies I've not encountered that type of top hung window before. I'd guess the wheels are replaceable in a similar manner with spare parts but the track would be another story.

[@DylanBrayshaw]

awesome video just what I was looking for, Although my window track has one side 2mm drop and the other side is a 7mm drop, how would this work on my window. If the miricle cover drops like 3mm on each side, it wont sit straight. Is there a solution for this? that you know of?

[@FixitFingers]

G'day Dylan, there are more sizes than the one I used here, they can go up to roller door size so I think you'll be able to find them deep enough for your window at Bunnings - Type 4 may do you, check through the numbers ;) www.bunnings.com.au/rolltrak-2370-x-10-x-7-2mm-miracle-cover-track-4_p3961965

[@DylanBrayshaw]

Fixit Fingers thanks although with the one side being 2 mm deep and the other side 7mm deep I’m worried it won’t sit level?

[@FixitFingers]

No they are designed to do that, there is a handy little flyer next to them in store showing how it works ✌

[@happytrails1963]

Thanks for video very helpful!!

[@FixitFingers]

Cheers! We finally got all the windows in the complex replaced recently, but this trick kept them all working for years longer than they would have otherwise :)

[@o.g.bwoodwork]

Great repair video bud 😁👍

[@FixitFingers]

Cheers mate, I do actual work like this sometimes... in between the more useless but fun wood project I don't get paid for! 😁

[@o.g.bwoodwork]

Fixit Fingers nice! I’ll check out some more of your content.

[@FixitFingers]

There's a bit there now... forgive the older ones, they are pretty terrible. (To be fair so are the new ones... they just have less talking 😁) Found your channel and subbed up too.

[@o.g.bwoodwork]

@@FixitFingers i like what ive seen so far. thanks for subbing back, much appreciated :)

[@Derek_Lark]

Fantastic James. Our beach place windows are about the same age and have exactly that problem. Off to the green shed for some track next time we go down! Do I need to worry about having enough height in the frame for that track?

[@FixitFingers]

There are several types of tracks, ranging from low to high profile. As it goes over the old worn track you'll only raise the window a few mm. Should be fine! Let me know how it goes.

[@conradviray5865]

Sir question what parts number your Stegbar kit ? Thank

[@FixitFingers]

Unsure sorry Conrad, I literally walked into the Stegbar shop with a broken ones and asked for some replacements.

[@mariavasilopoulos8496]

HELP! I have a 1980's Aluminum Picture window: MIddle window is Stationary; Left and Right side windows only open, with one lock on the Right side and one window lock on the left side. Winter months I don't open them at all! My PROBLEM: I can't OPEN them, they're STUCK! In the past I used WD40 and it worked, this year it does not open. HELP!!

[@FixitFingers]

Hey Maria, most sliding windows can be removed by lifting the moving sections. As long as there are no physical locks on them try lifting them upwards then out. That way you can inspect the track and wheels to see what's stopping them from moving.

[@kuffyswoodwork]

I have aluminium windows in my house. Now I know how to fix them if they ever fail, but I'll play it safe from now on and never ever open them again 😂

[@FixitFingers]

It keeps the pure Kuffy essence trapped inside well! 🤣

[@pajaro685]

@@FixitFingers one thing about aluminum, it corrodes and the closer you are to the ocean the worse it is. I spray WD40 onto a cloth and wipe them all over, it smells a little but it protects them for up to 6 months.

[@mohgujai]

we got farked over here in NZ we don't get this product at our Bunnings.

[@FixitFingers]

Well poop. Perhaps online? They are quite long unfortunately so probably tricky to post

[@mohgujai]

@@FixitFingers Found a place that sells something similar, now that I know what to Google for after watching your video, cheers :)

[@Ace-zb5xr]

You wouldn't happen to know how to prevent air from seeping through those kinds of windows? I've tried lining the bottom edge with weather proofing but that did nothing.

[@FixitFingers]

Most of ours rattle in strong wind and leak a bit of air between the panes. I've not found a way to stop that but weather strip helps. I've used the soft cylindrical foam you usually put around hot water pipes to seal the gaps around these widow boxes with success. It's very squishy and expands again well. Good for big gaps. Anything smaller I usually just use chauk or expanding foam.

[@pajaro685]

@@FixitFingers The Aluminum windows are not made to be air tight. The design is simply to allow them to open easily, they are not made for colder climates. The way to over come this drafty condition is to use Double glazed windows. But the Schlegal hair might help to stop the rattles! though mine rattle a lot!

[@TheGrantAlexander]

Great job James! I gotta ask, how many jobs do you have?

[@FixitFingers]

Technically 2 - Real Work Work as a Public Servant, then trading as "Fixit Fingers" I am the Strata Manager and handyman for my building... though I suppose I now work for google too 🤣

[@TheGrantAlexander]

@@FixitFingers that sounds like 5 jobs to me 😮😮

[@FixitFingers]

Well Strata Manager means project manager, community liaison, recycling QC checker, keeper of the peace, By-law enforcer, renovation reviewer and Strata Committee Chair person... so more like 10 jobs there alone, for which I get paid about $100 a month 🤣 I wonder how I find any workshop time!

[@trueblueimpersonations8949]

50 bucks is way cheaper than getting out the dude to do it

[@FixitFingers]

The whole reason I became a handyman was to stop having to pay a guy to come do these things for me and my strata building 🤣

[@trueblueimpersonations8949]

@@FixitFingers definitely I hate having to pay! Thankyou for your video I don’t know if I’ll be able to fix our window but I’ll give it a try.

[@arboristo4407]

Awesome….get back to work😎

[@FixitFingers]

But today is my day off to play in the workshop... 😁