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Topic: MCD Innovations day/night shades for the LD (Read 45 times) previous topic - next topic
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MCD Innovations day/night shades for the LD
Yahoo Message Number: 152329
Sharon,

Last fall we went to MCD's factory in McKinney, Texas and had all the shades replaced in our 2010 RB with their Duo day/night shades. They had wooden vertical valences made for the shade guide in the outward sloping rear window. This works very well. The shades are pricy but you do get a good product that can easily be repaired or replaced when damaged. It was a good decision for us. I am also glad I didn't try installing them myself as it is somewhat complicated working inside the close fit of the LD valances.
Their web site:
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: MCD Innovations day/night shades for the LD
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152330
"Last fall we went to MCD's factory in McKinney, Texas and had all the shades replaced in our 2010 RB with their Duo day/night shades. They had wooden vertical valences made for the shade guide in the outward sloping rear window. This works very well. The shades are pricy but you do get a good product "

Last year, our 2003 LD's pleated shades were looking sad, soiled, one with a broken string (number 4 or 5,  I lost track of how many times they have been repaired). Re-stringing pleated shades isn't one of my favorite projects.
Instead of continuing to cope with the pleated shades problems, we decided to replace them with a set of the MCD shades, opting for the single, light-proof shades, since the windows already have a heavy tint..
Ordering just required making  accurate measurements and picking the color and type of shade(s).  MCD's website has the needed information for measuring. Two weeks later, the new shades showed up in a well protected box.
Installation is similar for both the single and duo shades.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157648204643229/show

Installation wasn't as difficult as suspected. Instead of installing the shade, with the valances in place, I took the valances down. The mounting clips were screwed to a 1" X 2" board that was then attached to the ceiling, behind the valance. This eases the mounting of the clips that hold the shades in place.
The rear window shade did present the problem of how to keep it from swinging out. A valance was mocked up out of foam board but we didn't like the way to looked (too much like our 1983 FL, which had valances on the rear window).  Instead, rear window guides were made from aluminum strapping and cover with contact paper to better match the color of the wall paneling.
The shades work fine, my only complaint is that they are not as interesting to look at as the pleated shades were, a minor complaint.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: MCD Innovations day/night shades for the LD
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152331
Sharon,

We had gotten MCD shade material samples mailed to us. I called them back with the window dimensions and set a date to arrive that was on a Sunday evening (they have 50-amp electric). I asked them not to pre-manufacture our shades until their personnel could confirm the measurements. That was done Monday morning. They said enjoy seeing the area while we wait until Wednesday morning when the install was done. And yes, because ours was a small job we were placed ahead of all the class A's in the full parking area. We got the day/night shades on the four large windows because when the direct sunlight is there it still gets hot inside.  We had just the night shade in the smaller kitchen window and one to cover the door window. The installer loosened the valances to install the clips and place the shades then re-tightened. My carpentry skills is limited to what a chain saw can do, whereas, MCD has an independent finish carpenter make wooden vertical shade guide with the same cherry finish as the interior cabinets to place on the sloping rear window. Looks very good and functions well. After we left MCD we spent several days touring Ft. Worth (a great place to tour) while staying at the COE Holiday Campground (south) on Benbrook Lake SW of downtown. Beautiful place.  While there we had one shade with weak return tension. Called MCD and they said to return and they quickly fixed it. What is nice about the kitchen shade is that it is easily cleanable, unlike the original metal mini blinds. I hope to have many years of use of these shades.
Mike
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'