Pleated blind problem! April 10, 2010, 07:11:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111710Hi All of a sudden the pleated blind next to the dinette in my '03 midbath is giving problems. It won't stay up. I have no idea at all how these things work so don't know what to do to fix it. I often use that window for visibility when driving:-( & have just started making the trip from TX home to MI. Any suggestions? Thanks lots, Pat
Re: Pleated blind problem! Reply #1 – April 10, 2010, 09:55:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111711The blinds are strung internally, and the cord eventually frays and either jams or breaks. So far, I've had to restring three out of four pleated blinds on my 2003 midbath. It's a forbidding job the first time you do it, but once you understand how the blinds are put together, it's really not a big deal. Of course, first you have to have suitable replacement cord. I took a sample of mine to Walmart's sewing department, and found some cord of about the same diameter that has worked fine so far. You begin by removing the spool-shaped tiedowns at the bottoms of the blind. Then remove the mounting screws along the top of the blind. (An extra-long screwdriver helps here; I used a 6" Phillips extension bit on my power screwdriver.) Once the blind is unmounted, you can carry it to someplace convenient--your dinette table, or maybe a picnic table if you're staying at a campground that has them. You must un-knot the cord that goes into the tiedown spools and remove the spools completely. Then carefully pry off the plastic end caps, and slide off the aluminum rails that form the top and bottom casings of the blind. Now you can see the cords, and set about replacing the broken or frayed ones. I've just created a diagram showing how the cording is routed in a small blind. (Longer blinds have two sets of cords, but the crossover principle is the same.) It's in our Photos section, in the album "Pleated blind." Hope this helps! :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Pleated blind problem! Reply #2 – April 10, 2010, 11:15:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111713"...I've just created a diagram showing how the cording is routed in a small blind. (Longer blinds have two sets of cords, but the crossover principle is the same.) It's in our Photos section, in the album "Pleated blind." Hope this helps! :-)"Quote Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ Well, Andy, making that diagram was mighty kind of you. I hope our file-mistress, Tessa, will store it in the proper place.Chris
Shade Material replacement for older Lazy Daze's Reply #3 – April 11, 2010, 03:16:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111724Reading the problem with the pleated shade reminded me of someone in our group recently asking for advice on what kind and where to get material to replace old and stained shades like the kind I have in my 94' 26.5' MidBath. I found in JoAnn Fabrics, a material used to line the backside of drapes to darken the room when they're closed. The fabric is white on one side and almond on the other... And is great at preventing light from coming through (not everyone wants likes that feature) and is somewhat elastic preventing fraying on the cut end of the fabric. It sells for $5.99/yd and I have found it to be a good replacement for the shades in the older LD units. It's called black out lining for use on the back side of drapes to help stop light transmission. I think it is a reasonable replacement for the old & stained fabric on the original shades.Ed 94' Lazy Daze 26.5' MidBath Port Richey, FL
Re: Shade Material replacement for older Lazy Daze's Reply #4 – April 11, 2010, 06:44:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 111731QuoteIt's called black out lining for use on the back side of drapes to help stop light transmission. I think it is a reasonable replacement for the old & stained fabric on the original shades. I know the material, and it is thicker than the original. Apparently it doesn't roll up too thick on the roller? How well does it sew?Steve
Re: Shade Material replacement for older Lazy Daze's Reply #5 – April 12, 2010, 09:22:13 am Yahoo Message Number: 111743The material is actually not any thicker than the shade material I have in my 94'. Available in white and the reverse side in a light almond, or a darker beige color is also available. And when it's cut, there is no need to hem it as it doesn't fray (fabric is slightly elastic) on the edges. When replacing the old shade material, you just cut it to size and staple it onto the shade roller, and fold over the pull end onto the old this bar used by LD and wedge it into the decorative wood shade pull originally installed by LD. Staple or otherwise fasten the pull onto the wedged fabric and your done. The only negative, if you consider it to be one is the lack of light transmitted. It lives up to it's name of being able to darken a room. Great if you want to take a nap during the day or not let anyone see light coming out of your RV at night. It does pick up a little lint which is easily wiped of and is easily cleaned with a little windex and a quick wipe, At 54" wide it is somewhat reasonable at $5.99/yd at JoAnn Fabric's. Suggest buying a sample piece of the fabric and take it to your RV, you'll discover the qualities inherent with the fabric. It lives up to it's name for light darkening. I'm making covers to stop the transmission of light from the ceiling vents also. (Hey Andy... You're not the only guy that learned how to sew! LOL) Has anyone bought foam for the bottom sofa cushions in the rear lounge of a MidBath from LD and if so, how expensive is it and how difficult was it to refit and reinstall the original LD sewn fabric covers over the new foam???Ed 94' LD 26.5' Midbath Port Richey, FL
Re: Shade Material replacement for older Lazy Daze's Reply #6 – April 12, 2010, 10:23:34 am Yahoo Message Number: 111744QuoteWhen replacing the old shade material, you just cut it to size and staple it onto the shade roller, and fold over the pull end onto the old this bar used by LD and wedge it into the decorative wood shade pull originally installed by LD. Staple or otherwise fasten the pull onto the wedged fabric and your done. I see the difference - our '83 has a different arrangement for the bar, but I might be able to adapt it...QuoteThe only negative, if you consider it to be one is the lack of light transmitted. Suggest buying a sample piece of the fabric and take it to your RV, you'll discover the qualities inherent with the fabric. It lives up to it's name for light darkening. I'm making covers to stop the transmission of light from the ceiling vents also. (Hey Andy... You're not the only guy that learned how to sew! LOL) Actually, I am familiar with the fabric, and used it to make a cover for the over-bunk hatch. No sewing, though - I stretched and glued it over a disassembling wooden frame that snaps up with door magnets; almost no projection below the ceiling, and no condensation. The inner rubberized layer makes it waterproof.Quote Has anyone bought foam for the bottom sofa cushions in the rear lounge of a MidBath from LD and if so, how expensive is it and how difficult was it to refit and reinstall the original LD sewn fabric covers over the new foam??? We did this too, for the couch in our FL, and our bunk mattress. We purchased two densities, and had them cut and glued at the fabric store. The covers unzip for easy swap-out. For the couch, though, there is the issue of the buttons sewn through in ours. The trick was re-assembling those after the swap.Steve
Re: Shade Material replacement for older Lazy Daze's Reply #7 – April 13, 2010, 08:49:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 111760"I know the material, and it is thicker than the original. Apparently it doesn't roll up too thick on the roller? How well does it sew?" I used this same material from Joann's (though what I have is white on both sides), and for the most part I really like it. It has great insulating properties as well as being light blocking. It's great to be able to pull a shade down on the sunny side of the rig on a hot afternoon, for example, which makes a significant difference on the temps inside the rig. On cold nights they really help to keep the cold air from seeping in through the windows. Sewing the fabric was a breeze. The only problem I've had with them is that two of my rollers have now broken while trying to roll up the blind. Keep in mind that my rig is 31 years old, and I'm sure the rollers are just as old. I then went to Lowe's and got a cheap replacement roller blind, removed the fabric, and stapled my black-out fabric to it, and that has been working out fine. If I knew when I got the rig that the rollers themselves were not going to hold up, I would have replaced all the blinds with new light-blocking roller shades from either Lowe's or Home Depot, and had all new parts to begin with. I'd suggest going that route, as then you know that the roller and hardware are suitable for the heavier fabric. Or at least they should be. Fern
Re: Shade Material replacement for older Lazy Daze's Reply #8 – April 13, 2010, 10:46:20 am Yahoo Message Number: 111762Thanks, Fern.Steve
Re: Pleated blind problem! Reply #9 – November 10, 2016, 04:50:54 pm I'm hoping to get some assistance with my pleated blind issue. One of the center cords is pulling to the side at the bottom of the shade, and causing the pleat out of shape. It's actually cutting into the shade material. Can I make an adjustment to stop this happening? I have attached a couple of photos to illustrate the situation. Thanks, Matt
Re: Pleated blind problem! Reply #10 – November 11, 2016, 12:04:03 am Do you drive with the blinds down? Which window is the blind on?A picture of the window blinds up and blinds down may help others to figure out the issue. Are the strings not he other side ok?John DaCrema07 MB
Re: Pleated blind problem! Reply #11 – November 11, 2016, 08:43:53 am Quote from: John DaCrema - November 11, 2016, 12:04:03 amDo you drive with the blinds down? Which window is the blind on?A picture of the window blinds up and blinds down may help others to figure out the issue. Are the strings not he other side ok?The rig is fairly new to me and the shades were like that at the time of purchase. I personally drive with them up. It's only on the passenger side front picture window of our 02 RK. Thanks Matt
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