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Sixray
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014
Posts: 83
Location: United States
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 Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:30 pm Post subject: Curtains in a Carat |
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So I was wanting to put some curtains in my Carat (with AC ducts) and I've been considering several options. The Sewfine retrofit kit seems kinda pricy, I was wondering if anyone else has it and knows if it was worth the cost. My other idea was to use these http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/9170011451?cache=fd2...mp_s_a_1_1. They seem like a legit option and aren't nearly as pricey. I figure the offset on these might be too much for the slider so I'd have to figure something else out. Any vets to the curtain game have a solution?
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1991 Vanagon Carat- Bordeaux red
2003 Golf MKIV 2.0- Reflex Silver |
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geo_tonz
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Joined: August 01, 2012
Posts: 1473
Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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Does your Carat not already have snaps for the factory curtains? Six along each side covering the 2 side windows. 5 on the back hatch, 2 on each pillar behind the front seats for the front privacy screen (weirdo snaps for the top ones)? You can then sew up some blackout curtains with snaps to match. No hardware install necessary. At least this is how mine is set up, and I'm lucky enough to have the factory curtains.
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 "Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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danbar
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Joined: October 16, 2011
Posts: 472
Location: North Bend, WA
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 5:58 pm Post subject: |
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I personally hate the snap in Carat curtains. I never use mine any more. If I wasn't looking to get more of a camper soon I'd be looking to do some sort Westy type curtain rail setup myself.
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'88 SCA High/Pop-top Syncro camper
'61 Meyers Manx |
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Sixray
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014
Posts: 83
Location: United States
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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| geo_tonz wrote: |
| Does your Carat not already have snaps for the factory curtains? Six along each side covering the 2 side windows. 5 on the back hatch, 2 on each pillar behind the front seats for the front privacy screen (weirdo snaps for the top ones)? You can then sew up some blackout curtains with snaps to match. No hardware install necessary. At least this is how mine is set up, and I'm lucky enough to have the factory curtains. |
It does, but I really want to go with a more permanent setup where I can just quickly slip them open and shut and not have to worry about stowing them. I dig the aesthetics and ease of use of the westy curtains but from what I understand they will not work for a passenger van.
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1991 Vanagon Carat- Bordeaux red
2003 Golf MKIV 2.0- Reflex Silver |
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Zeitgeist 13
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Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12169
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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I've been long grumbling about the fact that my old '88GL with all factory power options, had factory curtains with aluminum curtain rods, and my Bluestar lacks this feature. Snap in curtains would not be my preferred approach. So far, I've never seen a decent permanent curtain setup for a tintop, other than the super rare factory option.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Phishman068
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Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 2012
Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12169
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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Aren't all the early curtains brown? My '88 curtains were a heavy grey denim material. I've since bought a couple yards of the same material, but have never found a suitable template from which to re-sew tintop curtains.
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Phishman068
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Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 2012
Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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Sixray
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2014
Posts: 83
Location: United States
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Phishman068 wrote: |
Simple.
Purchase curtains meant for an '80 westy and install them using aluminum flat stock from the local hardware store. On an '80 westy, the curtains have a simple rail top and bottom and are easily added to a passenger van (i've done it twice). |
This is sounding like the best option from what I've read so far, do you happen to have any pictures or know of a tutorial posted on here? It seems pretty straightforward but I'd love to see the finished results!
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1991 Vanagon Carat- Bordeaux red
2003 Golf MKIV 2.0- Reflex Silver |
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geo_tonz
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2012
Posts: 1473
Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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FYI: Sewfine has a few sets on clearance you may be interested in...originally posted on the Vanagon Owners Facebook Group:
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We have about 10 sets of curtains that we just need to get rid of due to a lack of space. They will fit Vanagon models 1985-1991. The pictures shows the color styles we have, Marquis Taupe, Deco Topaz, and the other is Arena Taupe(but this one is not pictured in our catalog Looking to get $100 plus S&H. We can only take credit card payments. These normally between $370-$460. Thanks. These are 10 pc kits that include the windshield.
Call us at 720-287-2127 or email us at [email protected].
https://www.facebook.com/sewfineinteriorproducts |
From here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/154433611260033/?fref=nf
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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geo_tonz
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2012
Posts: 1473
Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like they're sold out now I guess.
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"Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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m_brown_
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Joined: August 21, 2002
Posts: 85
Location: Juneau, AK
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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I have a Carat as well. The van was missing the curtains when I got it, so I got some 3/4" aluminum flat bar and put that on top and bottom of the side and back windows. My wife and I sewed up simple curtains with a hem on top and bottom. The curtains slide on the flat bar. The slider window we sewed in a few rare earth magnets into the curtain and put it on as needed. The front is similar to the stock westy curtain.
When I attached the flat bar, I used a few 3/8" nylon spacers to stand the flat bar off the van body. I used original snap screw holes, so I didn't have to drill into the body of the van. Only thing I would change is probably use 1/2" flat bar, but I couldn't find any locally. |
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1vw4x4
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Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:32 pm Post subject: Re: Curtains in a Carat |
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I have a set of Sewfine curtains in one of my vanagon. WELL worth the
money. The material they use is like no other. Its just much better, and has held up to the sun better than any other curtain I've seen. A good comparison is like the cheap weekender fabric that you always fine ripped up, comparing to the normal late model vanagon velor material.
I highly recommend Sewfine.
| Sixray wrote: |
| So I was wanting to put some curtains in my Carat (with AC ducts) and I've been considering several options. The Sewfine retrofit kit seems kinda pricy, I was wondering if anyone else has it and knows if it was worth the cost. My other idea was to use these http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/9170011451?cache=fd2...mp_s_a_1_1. They seem like a legit option and aren't nearly as pricey. I figure the offset on these might be too much for the slider so I'd have to figure something else out. Any vets to the curtain game have a solution? |
Last edited by 1vw4x4 on Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:44 am; edited 1 time in total |
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insyncro
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Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:58 am Post subject: |
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I have a couple sets of Carat / Wolf curtains and cab divider with all of the factory mounting parts available.
Pmail please. |
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