Can windshield drapes be cleaned (either machine or dry cleaned) or does anyone have a good source for purchasing new ones.
Thanks Susan
Dealing with the same issue.
We just ordered samples from "rvsupplywarehouse.com", no cost for those.
The website seems to ask all the right question about replacements.
Keep ya posted.
Frank
When we were at FOT early last year we inquired about replacement windshield drapes. David Flanagan took me to the upholstery shop where I talked to one of the long-time "seamstress" employees. She was not encouraging about the prospect of getting new drapes done there.
She said they hadn't actually made a set for a long time, and she wasn't even sure where the original patterns were stored. They would need to order the fabric (none in stock) and the sun-block liner material (none in stock) at unknown prices. We would need to leave our old drapes there (for an unknown length of time) so they could be sure the new ones matched in length and shape. And, she would not even make a guess at the final (delivered) cost because too many variables.
I got the impression she was not excited about taking on the job, but they would do it if I really wanted them to. So we passed. I would much rather hire someone who is enthusiastic about taking on the job, and who can provide a realistic quote on price.
We are afraid to have our original factory installed drapes cleaned because the material is so fragile. The drapes still do the job and we really like the way they look, but I'm afraid every time I open or close them that they are gonna disintegrate into a pile of loose threads.
So we will also follow this thread (ha, ha) with great interest!
Chuck's drapes sound like my old ones. Fragile. We washed ours and they came our clean but suffered some damage at worn out seams etc. So, wife dragged me into a Joann Fabric store ( JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores – Shop online (https://www.joann.com/) ) and we picked out a new fabric and lining. I had done a rough estimate on the square yardage needed. We then located a seamstress in small town who agreed to sew them. She used old curtains as a guide and turned them out in 10 days, working off and on. We chose a fairly heavy material and a good sun resistant lining. With Joann new customer coupon and material on sale, cost for materials was $155.00 out the door. Seamstress charged $75.00 too put them together, including pleats for bedroom curtains. She admitted to under bidding the job because the weight of material made it harder to do. I gave her a nice tip for her time.
So check around for local help and then find some material.
YMMV.
jk
On another RV I too went to a local upholstery shop. He did an amazing job using an old curtain for a pattern. I later used him to reupholster my dining room chairs and jackknife couch, and recover valances on all the windows. I allowed him some time to get the job done so it was not priced on an urgent basis, the results were excellent. It was much more affordable then going with an RV shop. The one thing you will want to watch out for is getting material that is rated for high sun exposure. A good upholstery shop will have in their catalog the appropriate type material. I saved some money by removing everything and bringing it to him ready to be worked on, and I also reinstalled everything myself. He really like that because he could estimate the shop work, the install and removal in an RV was a bit of a wild card.
One if not the best fabrics for sun exposure is.
The Home of Sunbrella Fabrics (https://www.sunbrella.com/)
It comes in many styles. With just the fabric you can add thermal fabrics and other products to create a quality window enhancement or barrier.
As stated, going with a none Rv seamstress (unisex). Will usually result in quality, price karma.
I have a motorized windshield MCD shade now from previous owner's remodel. However, had current bedroom drapes, what I thought, dry cleaned, they came out perfect. Had windshield drapes in previous other brand rvs dry cleaned, and they came out perfect too.
Employee at same dry cleaner/laundromat told me they only wash the bedspreads and curtains in their oversize washing machine on delicate mode. He pointed out their literature saying they offered skilled, professional, cleaning (note, not dry cleaning) of drapes and comforters.
I still have a $375 pillow to remind me of a similar situation. It's 20" square. Solid brown. No welting.
No zipper. You were wise to hold off.
I have a similar one in my coach. Mine was only $300. :)
see ya
ken
Carmen bought upholstery fabric at Joann Fabric and made new curtains for our coach. She carefully (her words) removed and reused the backing on the old curtains. Came out looking great
Roland
While not on a Grand Villa, we added drapes to our U270 by getting some hanging hardware at Ikea and some black out curtains at Costco. Tys cut them down to size, using the bottom part and putting a new seam on the top. Total cost, about $50... They look nice and do a good job of minimizing temperature swings. Here is a post with some more details...
Drapes for the windshield (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=37194.msg356294#msg356294)
Don