Replace accordion door in '85 Sovereign

[jk_brooks]

Hi -
Apologies if this has been covered. I'm new to the airstream world and the forum. I've got an '85 Sovereign 27 w the two twin midship config.

The accordion door is intact but it wont stay open. It's super stiff from age (and I assume lack of use.)

Everything original is still in place. Should I remove it and replace it with a curtain rod or is there a way for me to remove just the door from the hardware and replace that with something newer that works?

What will I need tool-wise to remove/install new rivetts? That bit is new to me as well.

thanks!
John

[purman]

The best why to get the old rivets out is to drill them out. The new ones go in with a rivet gun $15-$25 at a hardware store. You could put a curtain rod in if thats what you want. When I remodeled my trailer I took out our bifold door and never put it back in. I don't miss it.

[Suzzeee]

We have a Sovereign 21 and the old folding door between the bedroom and living areas was faded and not terribly attractive. We found some great instructions and examples of fabric doors on this forum (do a search for accordion door) and had our renovation guy put a new track in the curtain/door rail so we could use the slider hooks that everyone seemed to be using on theirs and I then bought two curtains from Target and followed the instructions using the vertical blind slats (Lowes) ...I had a new machine and was relearning how to sew so it took us much longer than a pro but we got it done -- it's not perfect but ended up looking good! I just finished it this weekend - had to figure out how to do a new tie-back and also a fastener to keep it closed...used leftover ultrasuede from the couch recovering and fabricated a new tie back strap (used hardware off old one) and then added a cabinet pull on the wall and a grommet on the curtain with an ultrasuede tie and it looks good and works great!

The fabric is faux shantung silk and looks wrinkled in pics because of the light reflecting off it but it's actually smooth IRL. If I did it again, I'd just use fabric however...the lining in the curtains was a bit of a pain to deal with

[jk_brooks]

thanks Suzee. Great stuff. I'll do some poking around

[expat5]

Google Irvine Shade. They make a nice fabric accordion door used on many late model RVs. It wont match exactly but it looks sharp and avoids the shower curtain in the living room look.