The Ford Barn

bluesman31 · 01-18-2015, 05:28 PM

The previous owner folded and rolled the side side curtains for my Phaeton neatly in a lump in the trunk.

Now the plastic windows are all formed into rounded shapes. What is the safest way to bring them beck to their former flatness?. I know that folding clear plastic windows is a big no no

thanks!

ctlikon0712 · 01-18-2015, 05:43 PM

Lay them out in the sun on a warm day. You may have to wait a while in E Mass.

bluesman31 · 01-18-2015, 06:06 PM

Yes, not warm days here!! I was thinking hair dryer or possibly putting them in a tub full of hot water, but not sure if that would be safe?

DougVieyra · 01-18-2015, 07:16 PM

I think both of your ideas are practical and should work just fine.

- Doug Vieyra, - '28 Phaeton owner, who uses his side-curtains

Marco Tahtaras · 01-18-2015, 08:00 PM

Submerging in water will get water in places that won't dry out until you have that same warm sunlight you don't want to wait for! It will also want to shrink the material although not a huge amount.

A hair dryer will work but will take considerable time as you need to heat the curtain as evenly as possible and maintain that heat for some period of time for it all to actually relax. Lastly, be certain to NOT create any hot spots in the window or it can distort it in a manner that is irreversible.

If you have a heat resistant flat surface to lay the curtain on, try blowing the hot air between the surface and the curtain. Do so from different sides of the curtain to avoid overheating one area. The heat will not only distribute somewhat evenly but will heat both and hold that heat in. Keep in mind that something like a laminate counter top is NOT exactly heat resistant. The accumulated heat can permanently break the bond of the adhesive thereby delaminating it!

Some of these issues may be insignificant depending on the condition and fit of your curtains but should factor into your decisions.

Bruce · 01-19-2015, 10:12 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

A plastic portfolio from the artist store makes an excellent cover for side curtains -- once you get them flattened out. Use tea towels between the windows -- but don't take all on the same day!

01-18-2015, 05:28 PM	#1
bluesman31 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: E. Massachusetts & New Hampsire Posts: 152	Straightening folded Side Curtain windows The previous owner folded and rolled the side side curtains for my Phaeton neatly in a lump in the trunk. Now the plastic windows are all formed into rounded shapes. What is the safest way to bring them beck to their former flatness?. I know that folding clear plastic windows is a big no no thanks! __________________ 31 Deluxe Roadster

01-18-2015, 05:43 PM	#2
ctlikon0712 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Cocoa, Florida Posts: 1,609	Re: Straightening folded Side Curtain windows Lay them out in the sun on a warm day. You may have to wait a while in E Mass. __________________ Wanted: Simmons Super Power Head Craig Likon 1931 150B

01-18-2015, 06:06 PM	#3
bluesman31 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: E. Massachusetts & New Hampsire Posts: 152	Re: Straightening folded Side Curtain windows Yes, not warm days here!! I was thinking hair dryer or possibly putting them in a tub full of hot water, but not sure if that would be safe? __________________ 31 Deluxe Roadster Last edited by bluesman31; 01-18-2015 at 06:39 PM.

01-18-2015, 07:16 PM	#4
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: Straightening folded Side Curtain windows I think both of your ideas are practical and should work just fine. - Doug Vieyra, - '28 Phaeton owner, who uses his side-curtains

01-18-2015, 08:00 PM	#5
Marco Tahtaras Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,099	Re: Straightening folded Side Curtain windows Submerging in water will get water in places that won't dry out until you have that same warm sunlight you don't want to wait for! It will also want to shrink the material although not a huge amount. A hair dryer will work but will take considerable time as you need to heat the curtain as evenly as possible and maintain that heat for some period of time for it all to actually relax. Lastly, be certain to NOT create any hot spots in the window or it can distort it in a manner that is irreversible. If you have a heat resistant flat surface to lay the curtain on, try blowing the hot air between the surface and the curtain. Do so from different sides of the curtain to avoid overheating one area. The heat will not only distribute somewhat evenly but will heat both and hold that heat in. Keep in mind that something like a laminate counter top is NOT exactly heat resistant. The accumulated heat can permanently break the bond of the adhesive thereby delaminating it! Some of these issues may be insignificant depending on the condition and fit of your curtains but should factor into your decisions. __________________ http://www.abarnyard.com/

01-19-2015, 10:12 AM	#6
Bruce Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 489	Re: Straightening folded Side Curtain windows Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A plastic portfolio from the artist store makes an excellent cover for side curtains -- once you get them flattened out. Use tea towels between the windows -- but don't take all on the same day!