Community Forums

Matt NY · 12-11-2015, 09:57 AM

First of all, I do not believe it is a "string"problem...

We have a problem raising the Night part of our day/night shades. This has been an issue since we bought the Motorhome (used).

The "day" shades go up and down nicely, the night shades go down ok, but do not stay "pleated" as they go up! We are constantly having to manually "fix" many of the pleats to make it go up.

By fixing, I mean pulling them from both sides to straightened them.

They are Day/Night shades. The "Day" shades are a soft cloth (semi-transparent) and the "Night" shades are a darker, paper-like material.

Anyone have this issue? And can anyone give me any suggestions? I hate to buy new ones as they are not cheap.
Thank you in advance,
Matt

falconman · 12-11-2015, 10:40 AM

i would plan on restringing them, that way once you get them apart you can tell if its a problem in the way the fabric was pleated or a string issue. If you do restring them, pay attention to not only the string routing but each of the holes in the metal rails. Sometimes the plastic bushing is worn or there are burrs in the metal. There is a lot of info on the web if your not familiar with the process.

Matt NY · 12-11-2015, 11:07 AM

Thank you for your reply. As I said I do not believe it is a string problem. We have had those problems in the past and this is definitely not it. The tension is good on them as well.

Personally, I think it is a problem with the material they used manufacturing the "night" part of the shade (it's a heavy paper of some kind). When the pleats on the "day" shade starts to mess up (flatten), you can just "thump" them and they straighten out. No so much with the night shade... Very frustrating.

We also find it more of a problem when they are left in the down position and not used for some time.

CampDaven · 12-11-2015, 11:27 AM

The paper stuff gets old and you can't fight it. We put up 90% UV roll shades. About $500 for 6 large windows.

**NLOVNIT** · 12-11-2015, 11:37 AM

I had the same issues with our OEM pleated shades. Part of it was some of the shades were not installed level so they'd have a tendency to go askew & not fold on the pleats correctly. Although, even the ones that were level, I had to often pinch the pleats as they were raised.

My suggestion is do what we did...get rid of them. We installed MCD shades. They're expensive but worth it. There are other brands of those style shades out there as well as just plain old roller shades one can get from the big-box improvement stores.

Good luck.

Lori-

JMonroe · 12-11-2015, 02:36 PM

I'm with Lori. Get rid of them. Whoever invented them deserves the Marquis DE Sad award for coming up with one of the most frustrating products known to man.

FIRE UP · 12-11-2015, 02:52 PM

Actually, the day-night shades are not a bad product when they're working correctly. Many folks have had good luck with them for years. While others, have had continuous problems with them, be it a string problem or, pleats (we have one too that has a hard time holding pleats). I've re-strung all of ours and, made sure the plastic bushings are in place when re-stringing.

When the tension is correct, they are a nice system. But, they can develop problems. While about 98% of ours are working correctly and smoothly, I too think of migrating to MCDs if and when it comes to the point that the day-nighters can't be dependable anymore. Guess I'll have to start saving up.
Scott

deandec · 12-11-2015, 10:02 PM

Perhaps not all day/nite shades are created equal.

Ours are 21 years old and work fine (with some strings replaced).

IlliniCathy · 12-13-2015, 02:27 PM

With our blinds, I try to make sure they are pleated correctly and store them in the up position. This seems to help. I have wondered about using a clothes steamer on them while pleated to take out the crinkles made from incorrect prior usage. Has anyone tried that?

FLYING BUTCH · 12-14-2015, 06:35 AM

With the shades in the folded position spray them soaking wet with a spray bottle filled with water. Take a hair dryer and dry them. If you have some of the pincher type holders (ones used to keep bags closed) put them on the blinds to keep the pleats together. Worked on the blinds I had that had the same problem. Good luck

safe travels all

Mrmedia · 12-15-2015, 04:45 PM

I did the same as flying butch with the addition of a light coating of spray starch. It's been three years and except for a cord all has been well. Best of luck.