TheSamba.com :: View topic - Adding curtains to a passenger vanagon (non-westy)

Sun Aug 24, 2008 7:38 pm

hi all,

I plan to add curtains to a passenger vanagon..

1. I can do it myself ie. my wife sews the fabric, I hook them up with some sort of strings found in a westy... (we can chose the color of the fabrics)

2. or I get a full curtains set from vendor such as Go Westy (tan and gray only)... but there are lot of variances and choices...

so... is there anyone in here add those curtains and how..

please help me to narrow my choices.. before I goof (read make an ugly curtains set up) or pay for things that I won't like later..

many thanks[/youtube]

Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:08 pm

its pretty much... you buy OEM snap on curtains. for $$$..( what variances?...) ( shame you dont have any stock).. OR.. you take them out of a westy and install them in your non westy.... OR.. you make your own and string them up.

bout all their is..

a few other lame alternatives. but none worth it imop.

tbt

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:09 pm

Wolfsburg or Carat curtains are the easiest to install.
They snap in---

Westy curtains will never work as they only have pockets for the hooks, and they require runner's as well as slider's for the hooks to slip into.

Big waste of time trying to use Westfalia curtains.

String hung curtains will look real sloppy, and south of the mason dixon line look--forget the string.

I have curtain mount kits for any GL, Carat, or Wolfsburg if you don't want to use snaps, and are willing to sew up your own curtains with a hem on the top of the curtain.

They will be a permanent mount, and will slide open and closed without the use of a curtain rail, hooks, or slider's.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:41 pm

hi TK...

I am interested on your product...

for the benefit of other samba member... could you please post a link or some pics to see how it works...

thanks

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:49 pm

There is no link---
It's the mystery trick curtain hanging caper.
I've made them for many folks who were curtainless, and didn't want snap in curtains.

They stay tight in the window's, look lile a stock item, are simple to install, and are pretty resonable custom made cutain retainer's at $55.00 for the whole Van.

BTW--the retainer's are for the top and the bottom of the curtain's, and require a hem on the top and the bottom.
The curtains will not blow in the rear seat passenger's face--they stay tight to the inside wall of the Van & the glass.

Sun Aug 24, 2008 10:52 pm

OBTW---

I did forget to mention I also have a decent set of Wolfsburg / Carat curtains, with all the snaps included, ready to install too---
No sewing required.

This would be the Wham, Bam, Thank you Mam,' installation.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:03 am

mine has a skinny alum strip with a screw at each end. curtain slides on and a small magnet sewn bottom (corner of ea curtain) to hold when closed,works pretty good. when open a short strip of velcro/one endsewwn on, wrapped around curtain keeps in place.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:01 am

Try magnets sewn into the curtains. Ever played with rare-earth magnets? You almost can't pull a couple of them apart.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=32065&cat=1,42363,42348

I'd get the 3/8" X .10 . You can also get them from Digikey.com
-Kent

Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:57 am

0to60in6min wrote: hi all,

I plan to add curtains to a passenger vanagon..

1. I can do it myself ie. my wife sews the fabric, I hook them up with some sort of strings found in a westy... (we can chose the color of the fabrics)

2. or I get a full curtains set from vendor such as Go Westy (tan and gray only)... but there are lot of variances and choices...

so... is there anyone in here add those curtains and how..

please help me to narrow my choices.. before I goof (read make an ugly curtains set up) or pay for things that I won't like later..

many thanks[/youtube]

If you want to go the cost effective DIY route, and like curtain tracks:
http://www.sailrite.com/Categories/Curtain-Hardwar...8Ta38Mahr0

this is what I'm doing for my passenger van:
1. Rear window - snap in, no tracks (6 snaps)
2. back side windows - snap into tracks top and bottom, w/snap tie-backs.
3. sliding door and front side window (driver's side) - snap in, no tracks (6 snaps), double-sided snaps for rolled back partial opening.
4. front curtain - a few snaps and some rare-earth magnets

Believe me, I've thought about this and tried various things for last 15 years.
Sewing machine here I come....

Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:04 am

check out this website: http://www.instructables.com/id/Volkswagen-Bus-Camper-Curtains/ it gives you complete instructions on how to sew your own curtains w/sizes. Hope this helps you out.

Chucksbrick

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:04 pm

So how about a passenger vanagon 'L', is it possible to add curtains?

thanks

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:13 pm

Being that every Vanagon Van ever built has the same window configuration--
Why not?

I sewed up a chocolate brown set for my 85 GL.

Worked & looked as nice as factory curtains--just darker.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:18 pm

there is no curtain hardware in the van. I am a bit confused on what it is I am supposed to be looking for in order to hang home made curtains.

thanks for any help

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:22 pm

Don't be confused--be creative.

Make the rods outa aluminum strips..
install snap's.
Use Velcro.

Scratch the magnets--won't work thought the vinyl lining in the Van.

Now all's ya need is some material & a sewing machine.

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:40 pm

0to60in6min wrote: hi all,

I plan to add curtains to a passenger vanagon..

1. I can do it myself ie. my wife sews the fabric, I hook them up with some sort of strings found in a westy... (we can chose the color of the fabrics)

2. or I get a full curtains set from vendor such as Go Westy (tan and gray only)... but there are lot of variances and choices...

so... is there anyone in here add those curtains and how..

please help me to narrow my choices.. before I goof (read make an ugly curtains set up) or pay for things that I won't like later..

many thanks[/youtube] link to my pics of mine. there made by z-products now out of business http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=devesvws thought the guy across the st was going to hook me up making copys of mine but never did :cry: "south of the mason dixon line look--forget the string :lol:

Sat Nov 15, 2008 6:46 pm

<<"south of the mason dixon line look--forget the string>>

Is that usin' DeKalb feed burlap sacks, & balin' wire?

I like the rustic look--

Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:20 pm

Instead of using the string system aforementioned, try going to the gowesty site and get some female and male snaps. It would make the curtains look alot nicer and it wouldn't be as permanent as the string system. I am having my mom sew up a new set for my 90 carat and we bought the snaps and the installer. Still haven't finished, but it will look very nice and O.G. being installed with the snaps.

good luck

Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:01 pm

Snaps are by far the easiest way to get curtains into a standard, non-Westfalia Van.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:30 pm

1987 Syncro GL with curtains mounted using the aluminum strips to hang curtains, works very well.

Phil

Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:08 pm

<<1987 Syncro GL with curtains mounted using the aluminum strips to hang curtains, works very well.>>

And look real nice Phil.

And it's not all that difficult of a project at all--

The sewing takes a bit of manual dexterity--but other than getting the seams straight--it doesn't really take much to get a nice set stock looking curtains manufactured in a weekend. ( OK--maybe two if your not Betsy Ross )