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Front Window Shade Question
My Angola came with folded paper window shades for the front, drivers window and door. These expand horizontally from the center post. They have 2 elastic cords about 6 inch off the center to retract the shade into the end caps. The end caps are not full length to allow the shade to cut to the upper outside corner radius of the XL window.
Well after 20 years they are starting to tear and are dirty. They need to be replaced. But I need a source? Any suggestions or ideas regarding how to do this differently?
The shade had a United Shade, Elhart, Ind lable on it but I’ve contacted the company and they swear they NEVER made a horizontal shade with elastic cords like in the photo’s below.
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10 Replies
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Joe,
I have a similar situation with a shade that covers the main TV in my coach which folds down from the ceiling.. The shade closes to cover the television when it is retracted and retracts into the ceiling to lower the TV for use. thought it was something unusual and learned it is nothing more than a Hunter Douglas pleated shade mounted parallel to the ceiling. Long story, point being a normal vertical shade may serve your purpose. -
I’ll give that a look. Thanks George.
Are you and Becky coming back to the Oysterfest?
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Haven’t signed up yet but hope to soon. That was a great time last year. Hope to see y’all there. -
Was just in Lowe’s and spotted some window coverings by Levolor and Bali that look sturdy enough to be mounted vertically, they have the retracting mechanism that I think you’re asking about.
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Thanks, it seems i’m in Lowes at three times a week. I will give those a look.
On-line some skylight blinds seem to be an option but I’d like to see them myself before buying.
The curve in the XL front window and the angle of the driver and door window makes the horizontal pleat orientation a little trickey, especially the way my dash is installed. The pleats on the verticle provides the flexibility required for full window coverage.
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I think the source will be the same as what I’m finding for my Country Coach (see my post as well).
I’ve found that a replacement side curtain is probably available from:
Dash Designs (Tempe, AZ), “The Original Dash Shade”.
On-line [http://www.dashdesigns.com/content/carsunshades.aspx] one can see the shade. They are available to order for different cars, and in many different sizes. Our Country Coach installed version has three retracting nylon strings (versus 2 on current product) and is the same metallic grey.
For our coach, the attachments are modified compared to what appears to be delivered (currently) by Dash Designs (stitched on a piece with snaps for the attachment). I looked at a generic version at Pep Boys, and it definitely appears to be the original source with the two differences noted (3 vs 2 strings, attaching mechanism).
Planning, if possible, to call and order one tomorrow as a test fit, and will update posts on outcome.
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Mike… yes! What you describe is exactly what I have, three retractable strings vs the two that are in the Levolor and Bali shades, plus the snaps at one end. And the support bars at the ends of the Levolor blinds are not as thin as the ones in the link you provided. Good find, thanks!
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That is the most promising think I’ve seen.iI’m waiting for your report and specs on how to order.
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So, they claim they’re not the original manufacturers. They also state they’ve never made a shade with three retracting strings.
However, they are selling me three of the retracting spool thingys (for $12!), so once I receive them, I will again update everyone on whether this solution works! -
Unfortunately, the spools received will not work.
Back to square one….
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