Window Blinds for 63???

[CaddyGrn]

Hi, I have read most of the threads about blinds, but not sure I have all the information I need. We are restoring a 1963 Bambi and I would like to replace the original curtain/drape thingys with 2" brushed aluminum blinds. Our windows are fairly "straight" ~ not much curve to the windows. It is the window cranks, etc. that I wonder about. People have addressed this issue, but I am not sure how. Can anyone tell me what they did? Pros & cons? Link to pictures of your blinds? Really would like to view some photos of blinds if anyone has them posted! How about "soft" blinds the kind of honeycomb type fabric blinds, anyone use those? Would love your advice. Thanks.

[NorCal Bambi]

They must be blind to your question. I think we just need to do our own thing. What is the sound of a blind thread? Do you see what I mean. Or what did the 3 blind man think when they walked up to and touched an Airstream. All that glitters is not Aluminum. The first man found the door way. And thought it was a portal to heaven. The second man found the corner. And thought the rounded metal surface held together with rivets must be the belly of a giant robot. However the Braille message on the surface kept saying the same thing over and over and over. "Take me to your Boondoggle". The third man ran into the tongue of the trailer. The whack on his shins was quite painful. The oath he repeated was not allowed in the world of Airstream and he was banished to SOB.

[CaddyGrn]

I am afraid you have been breathing too much of the stain and varnish you are putting on the interior pieces... Well, since you are my "better half" what is your opinion of the blinds vs. drapes/curtains?

[Hippo]

There was a show on RV during the winter. They restored a Airstream trailer I think it had crank out windows. They did put in mini blinds. I have a 1975 I plan to install mini blinds in. My windows are not crank out but slide out and lock at varoius increrments.
Sorry I can't be of any help.

[Chaplain Kent]

We replaced all of our woven woods last year with soft light shades. They are nice and versatile. We like the way they fold up under the valance and hide. When down they do leave a gap with the side body curve so some day I will build a frame for them. I needed to replace the hold downs with commercial Velcro. We have sliding windows so can not help with crank issue.

[CaddyGrn]

Thanks for the response. I like the idea that they can fold up and "hide". That way you can see out the windows nicely rather than view around curtains! I have the soft shades in some rooms in my home and I like them, but the ones I have at home do not block a lot of light. It is my thought that the brushed aluminum would be quite opaque and make it nice and dark. My husband says I like to live in a cave. I do like it pitch dark at night.

[Chaplain Kent]

Originally Posted by CaddyGrn

I do like it pitch dark at night.

When we travel we will make use of truck stops for overnight stops, thus we needed blackout shades. You can order softlights that are room darkening. Ours will block out even the harsh lights of the truck stops.

[dwightdi]

I simply clipped the interfering slats in the area of the cranks when I did mine. It does cause a problem when we try to pull them up all the way but I only do that when I am cleaning the windows from the inside, which is not often.