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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 02:14:49 PM

Title: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 02:14:49 PM
Ok My family and I are wanting to use our bus in "ruff" form for this summer.  So we are looking for a cheap way to make a decent set of curtains for the bus.  Do any of you guys have any ideas for material that would make decent short term curtains without costing a small fortune?

My wife is pertty slick with her sewing machine fwiw.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: rampeyboy on May 07, 2011, 02:24:40 PM
why not yard sale curtains? Standard length curtains could probably be cut in half to fit bus windows. As long as you don't care about them matching. Bed sheets could be used also. That or the cheapo blinds. I think you can get those plastic blinds for $4 each? Been a while since I've bought any.

Boyce
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: robertglines1 on May 07, 2011, 02:26:19 PM
Roman Shades.  We use them in our coaches. easy  or go to rv surplus elkhart  get day nite shades.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: wal1809 on May 07, 2011, 02:35:45 PM
If it is a very temporary thing I would go to the goodwill or thrift store and buy white sheets.  Fold them over a rod so the double thick material will block the view.  Then just chunk them or give them to somebody who needs them.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 02:42:31 PM
We have hit 3 good will stores with no luck of any kind. We have even looked at shower curtains.... no luck there either.

The bed sheets would work ok but as stated they are thin and need doubled.  If we could find some at yard sale or goodwill we wouldnt hesitate to go that route. Just havent had no luck yet. Im cheap and dont really want to spend the money on enough new ones to do the entire bus when its a temp thing.

We are hoping to use the bus next weekend so we are kind of in a hurry.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: luvrbus on May 07, 2011, 03:11:24 PM
Not a curtain person here but the wife said go to Ikea and buy the muslin material by the yard like 3 bucks a yard 60 in wide then buy the cable type rod and she said not me you are in to it for very little money and easy to do for your wife and you can even go around the windshields with the cable.
FWIW I looked at her cable setup I think you could go to Ace and buy the cable and some I bolts and do the same thing may not look as good but it would work I am not going to tell her that LOL

good luck
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: fe2_o3 on May 07, 2011, 03:23:26 PM
Blankets. from your beds. when you get home put them back on the beds...Cable
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: eddiepotts on May 07, 2011, 04:59:32 PM
you can buy cheap shower curtains at the dollar store. For the low price of a dollar. install them with thumb tacks. They should have them there too.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: ArtGill on May 07, 2011, 05:48:23 PM
We used a doubled up sheet with a rope all the way down the side of the coach above the window with a door spring to keep it tight.  We even looked for cheap beach towels to use.  We also had a five gallon bucket with a plastic bag in it and kitty litter in the bag with an old toilet seat.  When you get home, just pull the bag and dispose it in a near by dumpster.

Art
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 06:47:58 PM
I had planned on doing the cable deal as I have all the cable and hardware to do it.

What is "ikea"? Is it a craft type store?

Probably going to go with the dollar store shower currents.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: robertglines1 on May 07, 2011, 07:07:17 PM
Eric good news next Sat high here 70 degrees 50's at nite. so shouldn't need ac. blk trash bags over windows? Temp.  If you know which windows you will never use again just paint them black on inside. they will appear smooth on the outside and will give you privacy.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 07:22:28 PM
Bob the paint idea sure would be cheap lol. 

Im glad that the weather is suppost to be nice, Im about sick of the rain! Im ready for it to dry up so I can get some work done!
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: artvonne on May 07, 2011, 08:33:44 PM
If your going to paint the glass on the inside, paint it chrome first, then black. The chrome to the outside will reflect heat simular to mirror coating.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 08:54:33 PM
Do you think that the chrome paint would make that big of a difference since my windows already have a decently dark tint on them?
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: artvonne on May 07, 2011, 09:01:29 PM
Quote from: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 08:54:33 PM
Do you think that the chrome paint would make that big of a difference since my windows already have a decently dark tint on them?

  Do you thinkit will hurt? If you can see through them, sun light can shine through. If the sun hits black paint it will heat up.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: belfert on May 07, 2011, 09:22:18 PM
Quote from: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 06:47:58 PM
What is "ikea"? Is it a craft type store?

Ikea is a chain of furniture/home goods stores that are huge and sell their stuff cheap.  Some of it is cheap junk and some of it is okay.  They only have about 25 stores in the USA.  The closest for you are probably Chicago or Cincinnati.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 09:25:42 PM
Quote from: artvonne on May 07, 2011, 09:01:29 PM
Quote from: demodriver on May 07, 2011, 08:54:33 PM
Do you think that the chrome paint would make that big of a difference since my windows already have a decently dark tint on them?

  Do you thinkit will hurt? If you can see through them, sun light can shine through. If the sun hits black paint it will heat up.

You cant much see thru them from the outside unless it is night out and the lights inside are on. 

(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi756.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx203%2F2xdemo%2Fbusside.jpg&hash=4997ba8a84469892ad17ac3aae10423ee45076ab)
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: demodriver on May 08, 2011, 11:31:19 AM
We got some blue shower curtains today at the dollar tree for a $1 a piece. The dollar store and dollar general wanted $3 and $4 a piece for the exact same curtain in the same package.

We will see how well they work after I get them put up tonight.
Title: Re: cheap curtain alternatives
Post by: fe2_o3 on May 08, 2011, 01:49:23 PM
If nothing else, they should keep the water out, or in...Cable