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Topic: velcro for windshield privacy shade (Read 1761 times) previous topic - next topic

velcro for windshield privacy shade

There is velcro on the inside of the rubber windshield gasket that divides the two sections. One side is hook, and the other is loop. They are used to attach the end of the privacy curtains to close them (not sure if this is universal to all Foretravels of my vintage). The adhesive that binds them to the rubber gasket had become old, and was allowing them to peel away when trying to remove the curtains. Being the brilliant individual that I am, I decided I would just peel them off, and apply new velcro. So, off to Lowe's I go and buy new self-adhesive velcro strips, and apply them (after wiping the rubber with alcohol to remove any old adhesive) When we camped this past weekend, I put the privacy curtain in place, and within 5 minutes, the velcro was peeling off.
So, my question is, who among you has done this before, and did you have better results? If so, please share with me your secrets.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #1 –
I can't be certain since our coach is in storage, but I think the Velcro is fastened to the glass
not the divider between the two windshield sections. There are also different versions of Velcro to attach to different materials, so you might check for compatibility.

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #2 –
We have the same issue. I would have done the same repair drill. I too wait for a better solution.

I could also use a clue regarding replacing the little fishing line take up reels. One jammed today. I cut the line so we could pull the curtain shut. Flanagan replaced the last broken one while I wasn't looking. I asked him how to secure the new reel to the curtain, and he simply took the curtain, fixed it, and brought it back. That was great service, but not educational.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #3 –
Steve,
The Velcro on ours is attached to the glass and we ended up using 3M trim tape.
Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #4 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens

I could also use a clue regarding replacing the little fishing line take up reels. One jammed today. I cut the line so we could pull the curtain shut. Flanagan replaced the last broken one while I wasn't looking. I asked him how to secure the new reel to the curtain, and he simply took the curtain, fixed it, and brought it back. That was great service, but not educational.

J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Bellville, TX

Are you referring to stringing day/night shade?
How to Restring Day / Night Shades
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #5 –
Nope! I successfully restrung one day/night shade last week.

The problem is with the windshield privacy shade. It is the kind that pulls horizontally across half the windshield and attaches to velcro near the center of the windshield. Each side has four retractors that use nylon thread wound around a spring mechanism. The string jammed in one retractor and I cut it in order to be able to use the screen.

The string or whole unit can be be replaced. A replacement unit has the string tied to a paper clip. There is some magic trick to get the string through the shade and attached to the movable end of the shade. Flanagan replaced one of our retractors at FOT, but I didn't find out the secrets. The secrets may be concealed in order to protect the priesthood of those who know how to fix RV blinds. ;)
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #6 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
The secrets may be concealed in order to protect the priesthood of those who know how to fix RV blinds. ;)

Thanks to Bentley

The selected media item is not currently available.

we gave up after many, MANY, spool replacements and saggy front blinds and got MCD blinds.

Not much help, I know  ::)

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #7 –
Barry,

I just read your post on restringing blinds. My experience was similar for a one blind that had only two strings. The original appeared to have 1.2 mm cord. I replaced with 1.4 mm cord. A trick that I used successfully was to weld the new string to the old string by burning one string, blowing out the flame, and quickly fusing the new string to the old, end-to-end. It took a few tries to get a good weld, but worked very well for pulling the new string through the same route as the old string.

I got materials from FixMyBlinds.com.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #8 –
Steve and Ginny - hook and loop fasteners adhere directly to the glass.  When one side of mine failed after 8 years of service, I removed both, cleaned window surface with Extreme Goo Gone and then alchohol.  I replaced them with Velcro brand - which failed in just a few days. 

Turned out that failure was caused by the Velcro adhesive being softened in high temperatures.  Someone put me on to a hook and loop tape sold by Coilnwrap RV Accesories.  The adhesive on this tape is heat resistant up to 212 degrees.  I removed the Velcro, and replaced it with Coilnwrap's hook and loop.  It's been on the glass 2 years now, and still holding strong. 
Bob Mulder
02 U270 3610 / 06 CRV
Spokane, WA

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #9 –
Steve and Michelle, I was thinking about the MCD shades, but wasn't sure they covered the whole windshield area (complete privacy). Are they powered? Do they move vertically, or horizontally? If vertically, can they double as sun visors?
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
So, my question is, who among you has done this before, and did you have better results? If so, please share with me your secrets.

There is an industrial grade Velcro that has much stronger adhesive than the consumer version. I purchased some from Foretravel parts department and it worked great.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #11 –
Google: Coil-n-Wrap. I had the same problem many years ago. This is the answer! They have several widths and you can order either the hook or the loop material or both. I don't remember the colors but I'm sure they have black. Yes it's best to attach it to the glass right against the gasket. Mine has been on this coach 5 years and it sits out in the sun.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #12 –
Thanks to all. What a wonderful braintrust this site is.
Steve & Ginny Hill
96 U295 36'/Wrangler
Tampa

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Steve & Ginny Hill –
Steve and Michelle, I was thinking about the MCD shades, but wasn't sure they covered the whole windshield area (complete privacy). Are they powered? Do they move vertically, or horizontally? If vertically, can they double as sun visors?

The way our blinds are installed, except for a tiny sliver along the passenger side windshield they are complete privacy shades.  They are against the A-pillars on both sides of the windshield and the left side is guided with some U-channel.

Both day and night shade rolls for the windshield are powered.  We were told they are not permitted to sell or install manual shades on the windshield (and they also have to be interlocked to the ignition so they can only come down a certain distance if the ignition is on.)  This is to prevent them from suddenly blocking your view while you're driving.  They roll down from the top, so they can be lowered a short distance to act as sunshades.

Hope that helps,

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #14 –
Steve & Ginny,
I made a change concerning the glass mounted Velcro after having the windshield gasket replaced. I purchased a 1/16" X 1-1/2" piece of aluminum and mounted a single Velcro strip on one side. I attached the mating side to the gasket center. On the other side of the aluminum I mounted the hook & loop Velcro side by side. IMHO this arrangement seems less obvious than the glass mounted Velcro. It has been in place for six months with no problems.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #15 –
Ah, so that's what the two black strips running down the windshield are for!  We've been pulling the blinds together in the center and pressing them edge to edge.  I did wonder how a single person could accomplish this and it's somewhat difficult to get them straight but it works. 

Chuck
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #16 –
If you need to stick two different materials together use SHOE-GOO from the shoe department at Walmart. Prop something or tape the velcro to the windshield until the SHOE-GOO sets overnite and you will have the best glue job you can get. It will hold the velcro to the rubber very well.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #17 –
My front blind used to stick to the velcro that was on the window on both sides in the middle.
When we had a new window installed by Foretravel, they mentioned that the binds basically have M/F velcro on them.
So we just velcro them together not using the velcro on the windows.
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: velcro for windshield privacy shade

Reply #18 –
Using the 3M heavy duty velcro seems to work best, but as always, good prep is the key.
Clean the rubber (or glass if you prefer) with isopropyl alcohol or similar, before mounting the velcro. I found it works best if you apply pressure to the velcro with a strip of wood or plastic for about 30 seconds or more.
Mine are still there after 2 years. I know others who have used shoe-goo, which also seems to work well.
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.