My working environment ....... 
I wanted a real small blind for the half width window by the wardrobe – this required the actual spring mechanism shortening … slide the spring out of the way and play at blacksmith ! Beat the metal rod flat so it will engage in the end cap and saw off the required amount. Then I found that in another blind there was a shorter mechanism that would have avoided the need for playing with a hammer!
Having reduced the blinds to size – fix all in place to check previous measurements and then back to the jigsaw to cut out the holes..…… cant be long now before the carpet starts to be installed … ooer!
This part is a bit of personal choice. Our previous camping experiences lead us to be very clear in our mind that thermal silver backed blinds make a huge difference to night time heat loss and comfort in the evening and at night. But, these puppies don’t come made to measure so this involves a bit of work.
Most important they need to be thin so that they fit between the sliding door and the bodywork, next they need to be adjustable, we want the maximum visibility out of our van when the windows are open so each blind is adjusted accordingly.
Most important they need to be thin so that they fit between the sliding door and the bodywork, next they need to be adjustable, we want the maximum visibility out of our van when the windows are open so each blind is adjusted accordingly.
We chose the SEITZ SUPERMINI ART 1302 and got them from Autocraft in Staveley near Chesterfield
I am putting them in a frame mounted as close to the glass as possible on the door so as to allow it to open without fouling the side of the van. On the off side however they are going on a frame face fixed to allow for the wardrobe that will cover half the off side rear window.
I am putting them in a frame mounted as close to the glass as possible on the door so as to allow it to open without fouling the side of the van. On the off side however they are going on a frame face fixed to allow for the wardrobe that will cover half the off side rear window.
So having bought the blinds, the foam card templates (see Oct blog) needed some fine tuning. Also the timber mounting points were attached using Sikaflex …. My oh my that stuff is sooo strong I am well impressed ! Note the timber strips were chamfered to give a vertical face for the 
frames – lucky me, I got a band saw.
frames – lucky me, I got a band saw.
Then the templates applied to the ply and a weekend of sawing with the good old jigsaw and then offering the panels up and screwing in place. Note the holes not yet cut in the ply. My motto …. measure 3 million times and only make a couple of cock ups !
Then the blinds need to be cut to size – “they” say they are not adjustable but if you are doing a van conversion this will not be a problem. A couple of screws (pozidrive or star depending on age of your blind ) will release the mechanism, off come the end caps and slide out the spring mechanism, the blind (fly screen or blackout) may have a drop of super glue holding it in the aluminium strip – a long finger nail run down the groove should find it then a Stanley knife scraped over it a few times should release it and let it slide out. Measure the case, tube and aluminium strips 3 million times and cut off the excess. Don’t forget to cut of equal lengths left and right of the aluminum strips so the blind/screen still clip together when closed. Stanley knife comes in again to cut the fly screen/blind. Reassemble.
Then the blinds need to be cut to size – “they” say they are not adjustable but if you are doing a van conversion this will not be a problem. A couple of screws (pozidrive or star depending on age of your blind ) will release the mechanism, off come the end caps and slide out the spring mechanism, the blind (fly screen or blackout) may have a drop of super glue holding it in the aluminium strip – a long finger nail run down the groove should find it then a Stanley knife scraped over it a few times should release it and let it slide out. Measure the case, tube and aluminium strips 3 million times and cut off the excess. Don’t forget to cut of equal lengths left and right of the aluminum strips so the blind/screen still clip together when closed. Stanley knife comes in again to cut the fly screen/blind. Reassemble.
I wanted a real small blind for the half width window by the wardrobe – this required the actual spring mechanism shortening … slide the spring out of the way and play at blacksmith ! Beat the metal rod flat so it will engage in the end cap and saw off the required amount. Then I found that in another blind there was a shorter mechanism that would have avoided the need for playing with a hammer!
Having reduced the blinds to size – fix all in place to check previous measurements and then back to the jigsaw to cut out the holes..…… cant be long now before the carpet starts to be installed … ooer!
Good detail on the blinds there. At last someone who sees the problem and finds a good solution - so many are just rubbish! Thanks. Oliver.
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