Took my curtains off today to wash them. They were brown, now they are brown and purple stripes! They're horrifically bleached! Must be the original curtains so the Californian sun has ruined them. New ones are expensive, so I'm tempted to get that wash-in dye that you use in the washing machine. Anyone tried that before with the curtains?
I am not sure the dye will be up to the job of staying coloured as it will bleach again! Vans get really hot and the glass amplifies the suns rays .Honestly for what they are you can get material cheap enough and do it yourself.
Have the same issues mate....replaced mine with new one's from NLAVW....they are not very good. Going to try dying the old ones but I'm going to do it in a bucket as I don't think the old curtains like being put through a washing machine. Can't remember where I read it, but I know someone said it's better to handwash the old curtains. Found some dark brown fabric dye on fleabay .
I whacked mine in the washing machine. Delicate wash, 20 degreees, slow spin. Seem ok so far! Other than the bleaching! LOL
You need to use a product called idye. See here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=419412&start=20 You have to keep it at a rolling boil for at least 30 minutes, and it stinks of burning tyres, so google it thoroughly before commiting. I did mine in the garden on a cheapy camping stove. I dyed some faided yellow westy curtains to red, and they turned out various shades of orange. Good luck!
Probably going to be the summer before I get round to doing this, so AndyC you can be the 'test pilot'!! Don't forget to post up the results!
I did my old ones with Dylon in the washing machine and took them from a light green ish colour to a deep burgandy to match the new upholstery. I did them twice just to get the depth of colour and they were fine and I used them for a good while. I have since had brand new ones made by a friend of the missus who is a dab with the sewing machine as I really wanted slightly bigger and fuller ones than the ones I had. Give it a whirl is my advise , whats the worst that can happen!! Ps its always better to dye darker as going lighter needs a pre dye first
http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=35244&start=200 Some tie died stuff looks cool, Kim has done everything in her bus, the poptop canvas was done at one point too
I'd like to do my blinds, but they're stiff material. I may experiment with some new softer material, then tie-dye and starch after.
Just had a look at what mine old ones were actually like and I must have forgot just how "Bright" they were !!!! The second pic is after one go with the dylon , a second dying took all the last bits of the previous "rave" curtains away !!
