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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: KeithB on July 03, 2020, 04:31:23 PM

Title: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: KeithB on July 03, 2020, 04:31:23 PM

I have one of these Odyssey doors in my caravan and the glass in it is clear and there is no space behind it to fit a curtain or a blind.

(https://www.caravansplus.com.au/images_tiff/2018/a-left-White-Odyssey-Door-4-Radius-Corners-caravans-plus-spare-parts-accessories-RVl.jpg)

But for privacy I'd like to make the glass obscure, so that it still lets light in but you can't actually see through it. So I bought a roll film from Bunnings, but hit a problem. As you can see from the picture, the glass (or polycarbonate) is a complex shape and the film I bought won't cope with it.

Does anyone have any ideas on what else I could use? It's a brand new and quite expensive door and I don't want to bugger it up.

Thanks in advance.
Keith

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: Bird on July 03, 2020, 04:36:37 PM

Could you replace the glass with tinted perspex?  either get one made same shape - or use flat and then tint that?

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: Fizzie on July 03, 2020, 04:42:14 PM

How about talking to a car tinting place ???

People who do this sort of thing all the time may have ideas.

Another thought, that may or may not work - how about the spray can Santa Snow for windows ??? Would that work on a permanent basis ???

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: gronk on July 03, 2020, 04:45:15 PM

Plasti dip ??    You can buy smoke dip, which some people use to tint their tail light lens. You can achieve as dark as you want depending on how many coats you apply. Between 4 and 7 is pretty normal.
Don't like the finished result.....peel it off.

I would put it on the inside, and take off the masking tape as soon as you are finished the last coat.

I put some on a previous 4wd and it worked pretty good.

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: Jeepers Creepers on July 03, 2020, 04:54:13 PM

Just use a bit of vinyl from ya local signwriter.

You can buy a frosted glass look one.

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: Champin on July 03, 2020, 05:12:22 PM

I see the vinyl wrap people use a heat gun for tricky corners. Maybe you can try that on a big of scrap to see how it forms.

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Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: Hoyks on July 03, 2020, 05:35:47 PM

Window tint won't work as the polycarbonate gasses out placticisers and will bubble the polyester tint. Tint film won't stretch around the complex shape either, not without liberal application of a heat gun, and that heat won't do the transparency much good either. All the UV protection in tint is in the glue layer, so don't expect it to last very long either.

Vinyl wrap from a sign writer will do the job though. It will stretch around the complex corners and look nice. There will be a chice of colours to match the door or other decals on the van.

It will also come off again in a couple of years if you want to sell the van in its unadulterated state.

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: xcvator on July 03, 2020, 08:05:51 PM

You will see through most of those at night. What about a couple of stick on hooks to hold up a curtain at night
https://www.bunnings.com.au/command-medium-white-adhesive-wire-hooks-2-pack_p3950005 (https://www.bunnings.com.au/command-medium-white-adhesive-wire-hooks-2-pack_p3950005)

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: glenm64 on July 03, 2020, 08:13:39 PM

Sound like a set of curtains are coming Keith

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Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: kizza1 on July 03, 2020, 08:23:06 PM

Try plastidip as gronk said. It's about $30 a can. 1 should do it. It sprays on like paint. And when it drys you can peel it off if you don't like it without any damage. It comes off in one big piece with the consistency of a rubber balloon.
Works well

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: kizza1 on July 03, 2020, 08:25:39 PM

Just wipe a bit of thinners over it. It won't be clear anymore then. But you would have to polish it to get it back though.

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: edz on July 04, 2020, 12:12:04 AM

Adheasive velcro strip, and a curtain, sandwiched between the two doors ..

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: Spada on July 04, 2020, 06:54:42 AM

Or a press stud on each of the inside corners with some materiel of your choice to clip on/off as needed.

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: ivan on July 04, 2020, 11:47:00 AM

You can buy frosted contact, the same stuff kids cover school books with.

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: austastar on July 04, 2020, 11:53:42 AM

This may not work on yours, but I saw one window set up that the frame was clear of the wall a tad, just enough to slide the blade of a small bulldog clip behind.
Four such clips held a temporary curtain in place at night .
 Cheers

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Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: KeithB on July 04, 2020, 04:00:09 PM

All good ideas, none of which I had thought of.
Will the Plastidip make the glass obscure?
Keith

Title: Re: Making clear glass obscure in a caravan
Post by: xcvator on July 04, 2020, 04:55:52 PM

If your door is the same as ours, with the flyscreen door on the inside just fit a blind onto that, most caravans are done that way