A Dumb Question: How to remove curtain snaps on railing?.

[Dickandvicki]

I just purchase a 1991 29ft Excella and the rear curtains are hanging in the closet. I want to put them up, but there are a couple of snaps on the railing. I tried to unscrew them, but they just keep turning around and around. Is there a tool that I need to use? How the heck do I get these snaps off so that I can put up my curtains?

[tinner]

I just took my curtains off of my 05 safari to wash them. I took the end caps off of one end of the rails and fed them back on. I hope this helps. I have been on this forum asking for help, this is the first time I have Experiance to pass on.

[webspinner]

I'm not sure I understand completely. Are the snaps on the railing interfering with putting the curtains back on? Snaps are often part of the curtain setup to secure the curtain edges.

Can you take a picture?

[dkrug]

Ours has snaps on the curtain edges.. They just unsnap . Do you mean the end caps the where the curtain hangers feed into?

[Dickandvicki]

Hi,

I have pictures, but I can't figure out how to post them.. When I click the picture icon it wants a link??

No dkrug the snap is in the curtain rail and also serves as a stop, between the longer back curtains and the short side curtains. I think I'll try wedging a screwdriver in between the snap and pry it apart. Not sure how I'm going to get it back in...

Thanks so much,
Vickie

[featherbedder]

Is snap pop rivited on? If so drill out rivet but do not wedge screw driver & pry will damaqe track.

[webspinner]

To post pictures, click the "Go Advanced" button below the Reply window. Then click the paperclip icon at the top. This leads to a pop up window that lets you upload pictures.

To insert the pictures in the text, you click the paperclip again and insert the pictures you want into the places where you want them in your text.

[webspinner]

Pictures will also tell us what kind of curtain rail you have. Are there any slider things anywhere along your rail? If there are, it could be that the curtains were removed for cleaning, but the hardware is still in place and the snap can stay where it is.

[911Patriot]

I had to remove and then put back on all my '91 Excella drapes for my restoration. First I numbered each panel and drew a corresponding graphic on the tops of the insides of 2 banker's boxes so they could be laid into the banker boxes
while working. It was a real challenge both taking them off and putting them back up because of the order in which they had to be taken down considering snaps on the rails etc.
Our Excella rail in the back bedroom comes apart in the middle of the bottom rail once the screws holding the bottom "L" channel bracket in place. Only by taking this apart will you be able to take off or put back on the drapes. You also have to consider the order of doing it as the top of the drapes must too go around obstacles that must be taken into account.
Hope this helps and hasn't confused you.

[Dickandvicki]

What a chore... I see your point about using a screwdriver, I'll get out a drill to remove the snaps. The previous owner had numbered the curtains, but the markings are faded. I think I should be able to figure out where each piece goes by laying them out a couple are longer than the others. The longer pieces go on the back window and the shorter pieces go on the side.

I found a YouTube video on how to remove the snaps using a drill. Not sure how I will replace the snaps once I have the curtains back up!

Thank you for your help!

[Dickandvicki]

Thank you Barbie.. For the help in uploading pictures. The hardware is not attached to the curtains. It sure would have been easier if they would have left it on (I think).

911Patriot~ I'm pretty sure our curtain configuration is the same. This sounds like is going to be a bit complicated. My Excella has had two previous owners. I think it was the original owner who took them off a few years back. Thay are hanging in dry cleaning bags in the closet. They look to be in perfect condition. So I think it will be worth all the trouble getting them back up.

It is so wonderful having this forum, with AS owners who have been through the same situation and are willing to help..

Thank You!

[featherbedder]

If snaps drilled to take off reattach w/pop rivets

[911Patriot]

It is certainly worth the trial and error to put the curtains back up! I had never done it before and I just muddled along until I got it right. I never took off any snaps from the walls because they don't have to be removed in order to put the drapes back up.

Webspinner - Thank you for the embedded photo instructions!

[webspinner]

Before drilling out the snaps, make sure that you have the hardware to rehang the curtains. Vintage Trailer Supply carries curtain hardware for Airstreams. I'm assuming that the picture is turned sideways, but I can't tell if that is the top or bottom rail. Sometimes they are different and require different hardware.

When the time comes to drill out the snap, most pop rivets use a 1/8" hole, so you can use a 1/8" drill bit to remove the rivet and you'll still have a usable hole to replace the snap. You'll need to purchase a pop riveter, but it's a pretty simple tool and easy to use.

[Dickandvicki]

Great information.. Thanks! I think I have all the hardware (unless something comes up when putting them up!) the little slides are attached to the curtains. I'll use a drill and buy a pop riveter. And I thought it was going to be so simple hanging the curtains..

911Patriot, I was looking the pictures of your '91 Excella.. Give me inspiration and motivation!

[webspinner]

Is is possible that there is another side, where there isn't a snap, where the curtain hardware can slide into position?

Drilling and re-riveting is a bit scary at first, but gets to feel routine pretty quickly, so it's not big deal if that's the route you have to take. I just thought I'd explore all options before going there.

[Dickandvicki]

Hi Barbie,

No such luck.. I am going to have to drill at least one of the snaps off. There are 2, 1 on each side.. I just need to get the drill out!

Thanks for your help..

Vickie