I have a pull-down shade (and it's a very tall window - I'd need a ladder to get to the top) that operates on a looped chain. Unfortunately, it seems some sticky substance from my nearby potted palm (maybe during blooming season) dripped on the chain and is now in the "wheel" at the top as well. At any rate, after a few rough periods, when I tried to move the shade (which is currently almost all the way down) the chain broke. I can't budge the shade. Is there anything I can do to clean it out so I can just get a new chain afterwards and set things up myself without calling someone in?

Thank you.

Lenona.

On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:27:51 -0700 (PDT), wrote:


I have a pull-down shade (and it's a very tall window - I'd need a ladder to get to the top) that operates on a looped chain. Unfortunately, it seems some sticky substance from my nearby potted palm (maybe during blooming season) dripped on the chain and is now in the "wheel" at the top as well. At any rate, after a few rough periods, when I tried to move the shade (which is currently almost all the way down) the chain broke. I can't budge the shade. Is there anything I can do to clean it out so I can just get a new chain afterwards and set things up myself without calling someone in?

Thank you.

Lenona.

I'd pull the shade off the window to work on it off the ladder. Clean
it up. The broken chain can be repaired with a simple ball chain
connector where it broke.

Pic:

http://ballchain.com/images/attachments/connector_diagram_150.jpg

YMMV

Thanks - in the meantime, does anyone want to suggest a specific cleaning fluid?

On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:52:06 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

Thanks - in the meantime, does anyone want to suggest a specific cleaning fluid?

Simple Green spray cleaner, found at many stores. Cuts grease, smoke ,
and dirt.

Pic:

http://shop.countdown.co.nz/Content/ProductImages/big/43318130229.jpg

Casa Depot has it.

On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:52:06 -0700 (PDT), wrote in
Re Window
shade problem - any simple remedy?:

Thanks - in the meantime, does anyone want to suggest a specific cleaning fluid?

1. soap and water or diluted Mr. Clean
2. denatured alcohol
3. acetone
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Web based forums are like subscribing to 10 different newspapers
and having to visit 10 different news stands to pickup each one.
Email list-server groups and USENET are like having all of those
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Simple Green cleans many things. I like the root beer barrel smell.

..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
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..

On 7/28/2013 7:52 PM, wrote:
Thanks - in the meantime, does anyone want to suggest a specific cleaning fluid?

Oren wrote:
On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:27:51 -0700 (PDT), wrote:


I have a pull-down shade (and it's a very tall window - I'd need a
ladder to get to the top) that operates on a looped chain.
Unfortunately, it seems some sticky substance from my nearby potted palm
(maybe during blooming season) dripped on the chain and is now in the
"wheel" at the top as well. At any rate, after a few rough periods, when
I tried to move the shade (which is currently almost all the way down)
the chain broke. I can't budge the shade. Is there anything I can do to
clean it out so I can just get a new chain afterwards and set things up
myself without calling someone in?

Thank you.

Lenona.

I'd pull the shade off the window to work on it off the ladder. Clean
it up. The broken chain can be repaired with a simple ball chain
connector where it broke.

Pic:

http://ballchain.com/images/attachments/connector_diagram_150.jpg

YMMV

Depending on where it broke, the ball chain connector may not work.

The connector may not go around the gear correctly since it is longer and
stiffer than the ball links. Just something to look out for.

Good luck!

On Wed, 31 Jul 2013 11:11:28 +0000 (UTC), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Oren wrote:
On Sun, 28 Jul 2013 16:27:51 -0700 (PDT), wrote:


I have a pull-down shade (and it's a very tall window - I'd need a
ladder to get to the top) that operates on a looped chain.
Unfortunately, it seems some sticky substance from my nearby potted palm
(maybe during blooming season) dripped on the chain and is now in the
"wheel" at the top as well. At any rate, after a few rough periods, when
I tried to move the shade (which is currently almost all the way down)
the chain broke. I can't budge the shade. Is there anything I can do to
clean it out so I can just get a new chain afterwards and set things up
myself without calling someone in?

Thank you.

Lenona.

I'd pull the shade off the window to work on it off the ladder. Clean
it up. The broken chain can be repaired with a simple ball chain
connector where it broke.

Pic:

http://ballchain.com/images/attachments/connector_diagram_150.jpg

YMMV

Depending on where it broke, the ball chain connector may not work.

The connector may not go around the gear correctly since it is longer and
stiffer than the ball links. Just something to look out for.

Good luck!

I believe the chain can be changed so the break is at the bottom, and
the connector never hits the wheel on top?

On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 9:21:27 AM UTC-4, Oren wrote:


I believe the chain can be changed so the break is at the bottom, and

the connector never hits the wheel on top?


Thanks for that - I'll check.

On Wed, 31 Jul 2013 07:19:28 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 9:21:27 AM UTC-4, Oren wrote:


I believe the chain can be changed so the break is at the bottom, and

the connector never hits the wheel on top?


Thanks for that - I'll check.

Please let us know.

On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:48:59 AM UTC-4, Oren wrote:

Please let us know.

Sorry to take so long - I had to be away and didn't fix it until now.

The stickiness problem seems to have gone away, mostly - maybe the summer heat helped to dry it up?

So when I got the connector and fixed the chain, it turned out that that point doesn't typically go to the top anyway, whether the shade is being raised or lowered.

Thanks to all.

Lenona.

On Fri, 23 Aug 2013 12:16:44 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:48:59 AM UTC-4, Oren wrote:

Please let us know.

Sorry to take so long - I had to be away and didn't fix it until now.

The stickiness problem seems to have gone away, mostly - maybe the summer heat helped to dry it up?

So when I got the connector and fixed the chain, it turned out that that point doesn't typically go to the top anyway, whether the shade is being raised or lowered.

Thanks to all.

Lenona.

I take it the chain broke on the low side. The connector fixed it. The
chains can feel sticky, but a slight reversal in both directions
helps.

Ya done good, Lenona.