Frequently Asked Questions
- Common Problems
- How do I remove a valance?
- How do I remove a Day/Night shade?
- How do I remove a pleated shade?
- Is there a heavier cord I can restring the shade with?
- Why is shade difficult to operate ( tight or loose ) ?
- Why is shade crooked?
- How hard is it to restring, the truth!
Common Problems
The cord tension has been to tight. The cord has cut through the bushing and fabric.
This is fixable in a couple of ways. It may require some extra time (approx. 15 min.)
If the coach is parked with on side always to the sun, and the tension is to tight the inner rails may become distorted.
Guide holes that have burrs from
manufacturing.
Nasty little cord shredders!
How do I remove a valance?
Most valances are held in place by 4-7 screws. Shorter screws are used to hold the valance in position on the inside wall of the coach. There are normally 3 longer screws that hold the inside top of the valance to the cabinet above.
Most of the time they are star head Phillips screw. Sometimes they are square head Robertson screws. Hopefully they are not slot head screws.
I have seen valances anchored at the bottom with long screws at a 45 (like toe nailing). Others will have the screw hidden behind a button.
Typical valance bracket. 
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How do I remove a Day/Night shade?
Most Day/Night shades will be held in using standard metal tab brackets. These will require a slight flexing of the bracket to release the shade. They can also be released by inserting a slot head screwdriver between the head rail on the shade and the bracket itself, with screwdriver in position all that will be needed is a slight twist of the screwdriver.
Black or brown plastic brackets will have a thicker larger tab and may only require use of your thumb to flex bracket. Remember to be careful, the plastic can break.
Others may have screws through the head rail itself, these will require you to go searching in the folds in the fabric.
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How do I remove a pleaded shade?
Most pleated shades that have a wooden head rail, have long screws through the front of the head rail.
Metal head rails will normally have brackets similar to the Day/Night shade.
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Is there heavier cord I can restring the shade with?
I have had customers request fishing line to steel cable. Size does matter. Correct cord weight is essential.
The Day/Night shade itself is a fantastic design, when setup properly the shade performs perfectly.
This is the effect of using the wrong cord. The bushing has worn on side and the cord now runs across the aluminum.
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Why is shade difficult to operate?
The shade has to much tension on the cords and may wear out the bushings or break, if it is to loose it may slowly drop down by itself.
Day/Night shades require time and patience to set up.
Final adjustment is done at the cord retainer
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Why is the shade crooked?
This is due to the shade not being squared. Head rail, middle rail and bottom rail must be in correct position during operation.
This is usually caused by a missing end cap. One side of the shade may be to tight, each side should have equal amounts of cord in the shade.
How hard is it to restring, the truth!
For your first time I suggest you take your time, the first one took me along time to figure out. Replacing one cord or trying to partially rebuild the shade is a waste of time. Once you view the slide show and you understand the basic principle it is just a matter of spending some time with the shade.
I would estimate a two cord shade, removal, rebuild and reinstall approximately 2 hours.
A four cord shade, removal, rebuild and reinstall approximately 2 1/2 hours.
What the 2009 RV Shade Repair CD© covers:
-
2 Cord Day Night Shade Rebuild
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3 Cord Night Shade Rebuild
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4 Cord Day Night Shade Rebuild
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4 Rail Day Night Shade Rebuild
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6 Cord Day Night Shade Rebuild
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6 Cord Day Night Shade Rebuild Residential Style
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Brackets & Hardware
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Damaged Top Rail Removal
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Fabric Tear Repair
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Bushing Replacement
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Handle Removal
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Common Tools Required
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"The correct parts make all the difference." DBM-1996
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General Information: dbm@dirtyblindman.com