I don't even own the 25 year old shade with the busted cord but was determined it had to be something I could fix with a little help. I literally got to celebrate with my 10 and 8 year old daughters showing them their shade was now fixed and they could once again open and close... as opposed to half drawn at a 45 degree kattywompus angle across their window. My wife initially shook her head at my attempt but could not stop herself from displaying a mild dose of pride at my handman-ness... and we all know that is PRICELESS!!!! You are AWESOME!!! This video was AWESOME!!! I'd buy you a drink or 6 if you were a neighbor!!!
Thanks for this great step-by-step video. This morning a cord broke in my blind and while searching online for a place to buy a new one, I found your video. It looks like something I could do, so am going to give it a go. At this point I will consider it a good workout for my 74 year old brain. I’ll let you know how things go! Only wish I had a big work table like you have but think the dining room table will do well enough, lol.
Yes, this is a great exercise for head and hand. Dining room table is perfect! Push the chairs out of the way and throw on an old tablecloth so you don't scratch the table top. Good luck! 😀
I’m looking online for cord. I saw on one site that I need 1.2mm. I found some that is 2mm, which seems stronger. But is that too big to fit through the holes?
Start-pause-start-pause-😊 Thank you Mike for this video- We have a double hanging Bali for our patio door and only one side needs the string replaced. It is taking a bit of maneuvering but with you as my guide -I know I can do this!
@@MikeFyxdt I did it! A couple things were different like the roller part didn't need to come out-the cord went right up the bottom and with it being a double the top bar always stayed on -it was just slid to one side or the other. I did find out the most important part is to make sure when putting the top bar back that you only catch the top pleat and you can never have enough cord. The old "measure twice, cut once" rings real true here. ;) Thanks again Mike for your assistance.
Good video! I have done this already 3 times over the years on our largest Bali blind in the living room. It is very wide yet they only have 3 string lifters on it, so they probably are under a lot of tension. Usually at some point the shade starts to get draggy off and on when lifting and lowering, which is the precursor to one of the strings breaking. I bought a long but thin sewing needle set which makes it easy to thread the string through the shades. A set of several of them was like 3 bucks at Walmart if I remember. Unfortunately I will be using them again today as another string broke a few days ago. For the cord lock I've found the easiest thing is to push the string all the way through straight and then come back in the other side at the right angle and push it through again. One of my metal grommets seems to fall off too like yours did and I think that can rub on the cords. Last time I tried to glue it into the top hole on the shade so it wouldn't get unseated.
Nice video, thank you. You saved me at least $600 dollars on new shade. This job takes some patience but it's doable, the guitar string worked to get the string through shade, although for some reason that was the toughest part of the job for me time wise
So glad your very clear video helps so many and made them so proud. I chanced on your video as I was looking for help to fix a cordless blind but your video is still helpful. Thank you for posting.
Thank you for this video! I was able to repair my 30 year old blind...one of the lift cords broke due to little indentation in the plastic piece it rides on (due to pulling down too hard). Your video was so easy to follow. Thank you so much!
Thanks for making the nice video. After 14 years we have our first broken string. I appreciate your photos of the top and bottom disassembly. Here's my query - why not tape the new string to the old string so the new gets pulled through as the old gets pulled out? That's what I'm going to try - as soon as I get the right string in hand. Just don't know why we would pull out all the strings first, and then start from scratch, so to speak. Any other readers tried using existing string to pull in new string?
I love hearing that! I've fixed several shades in my house, and they were all in great shape except for the strings. Thanks for watching and commenting! 😁
Hi Tom! The blinds in my office is relatively new but heavily used. And it wasn't cheap… around $230 if I remember correctly. The roll of cord on the other hand was around $10. Challenge accepted! 😁
Thank you! Very clear and informational video. Actually I am looking for a way to lengthen by diy my top down bottom up Levelor blinds. I’m trying to find a way to tie an additional piece of string to the existing cords so I don’t have to touch with the springs because if I change the entire cords to longer ones, I will have to rewind the wheels. Think it’s workable?
Hi Mike, I am having trouble removing and replacing the clutch on a bali cellular shade it does come out easily as in your video. This clutch is the old style but it looks like the one you removed, and is there a tool to do that. Thank you in advance
I use two thin screwdrivers to press in the "wings" that clip it into place, and then pry out in the same motion. If you take off the endcap and shine a flashlight in there, perhaps that will give you a better view so you can see what's holding it in. Good luck!
You're welcome! I bought the string on Amazon... do a search on "lift shade cord". Mine was 1.8mm, but you should call the manufacturer to check the cord thickness on yours, since they vary widely. Good luck!
Bali will also send you string for free if you call them. My Bali blinds have a "lifetime warranty" but when I called them to act on that, they basically said I would have to pay a lot to ship the blind back to them, but they sent me a big roll of string for free.
Hey Mike do you have any recommendations on how to clean a stained shade? I bought mine from a thrift shop and it’s heavily stained with nicotine stains🫠
Oh, that's a tough one! This is only a guess, but maybe take it outside and open it on a flat clean surface. Mist the entire shade with water on one side, and then mist it again with a grease solvent like simple green. Let it sit, and then brush it lightly with a soft bristle brush, taken care of not to crush the shade. Then rinse it a few times to remove the solvent. Flip and repeat. Then figure out a way to let the shade dry, either in the sunlight or by hanging it up somewhere so it can drip dry.
6'?! Noooo! The shade in my video, finished, uses at least 25 feet. For around $12 you can get 100 yards. Even if you don't use it for blinds, the extra string has lots of great uses. Treat yourself to a bigger roll! 😁
I'm having a hard time getting my shade off the brackets! I think I can get the rest done if I can get the shade down. It is mounted on the inside of the window opening on the top side of the opening. It is always something! I think it must snap out with a twist or something but I can't reach it well. It is in the window above my kitchen sink so awkward to get close to.
I'm replying to my own post. I saw another UA-cam video that talked about brackets- not my particular one- but another kind. That gave me the information to try again and it was so simple to swivel this catch and release the blind and then when it was all done and needed to be put back up it was super easy to put up even though I really needed a couple more hands. Thanks for the very informative video as it gave me such good information in such a easily understood format that I was able to tackle it and get it done after probably 2 years of wonky blind.
@@suedoran4521 Sue I'm glad you found a solution! I wrestle with mine every time I remove them. Reinstalling them is always easy, though. I guess they don't want them falling! 😁
Very informative video. Are you also interested in talking something about lawn machine maintenance and repair? We are looking for youtubers to work with to help more homeowners know the tips about small engine repair.
I don't even own the 25 year old shade with the busted cord but was determined it had to be something I could fix with a little help. I literally got to celebrate with my 10 and 8 year old daughters showing them their shade was now fixed and they could once again open and close... as opposed to half drawn at a 45 degree kattywompus angle across their window. My wife initially shook her head at my attempt but could not stop herself from displaying a mild dose of pride at my handman-ness... and we all know that is PRICELESS!!!! You are AWESOME!!! This video was AWESOME!!! I'd buy you a drink or 6 if you were a neighbor!!!
Yay! I am so glad the video made you into a hero for your family! It's a great feeling. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks for this great step-by-step video. This morning a cord broke in my blind and while searching online for a place to buy a new one, I found your video. It looks like something I could do, so am going to give it a go. At this point I will consider it a good workout for my 74 year old brain. I’ll let you know how things go! Only wish I had a big work table like you have but think the dining room table will do well enough, lol.
Yes, this is a great exercise for head and hand. Dining room table is perfect! Push the chairs out of the way and throw on an old tablecloth so you don't scratch the table top. Good luck! 😀
I’m looking online for cord. I saw on one site that I need 1.2mm. I found some that is 2mm, which seems stronger. But is that too big to fit through the holes?
Start-pause-start-pause-😊 Thank you Mike for this video- We have a double hanging Bali for our patio door and only one side needs the string replaced. It is taking a bit of maneuvering but with you as my guide -I know I can do this!
Excellent. You can do it! 😁
@@MikeFyxdt I did it! A couple things were different like the roller part didn't need to come out-the cord went right up the bottom and with it being a double the top bar always stayed on -it was just slid to one side or the other.
I did find out the most important part is to make sure when putting the top bar back that you only catch the top pleat and you can never have enough cord. The old "measure twice, cut once" rings real true here. ;)
Thanks again Mike for your assistance.
The Guitar string tip alone was worth the watch! Thank you!
Good video! I have done this already 3 times over the years on our largest Bali blind in the living room. It is very wide yet they only have 3 string lifters on it, so they probably are under a lot of tension. Usually at some point the shade starts to get draggy off and on when lifting and lowering, which is the precursor to one of the strings breaking.
I bought a long but thin sewing needle set which makes it easy to thread the string through the shades. A set of several of them was like 3 bucks at Walmart if I remember. Unfortunately I will be using them again today as another string broke a few days ago. For the cord lock I've found the easiest thing is to push the string all the way through straight and then come back in the other side at the right angle and push it through again. One of my metal grommets seems to fall off too like yours did and I think that can rub on the cords. Last time I tried to glue it into the top hole on the shade so it wouldn't get unseated.
Great suggestions! It's such a great design when it's working, yet so finicky when it breaks!
Nice video, thank you. You saved me at least $600 dollars on new shade. This job takes some patience but it's doable, the guitar string worked to get the string through shade, although for some reason that was the toughest part of the job for me time wise
Glad it helped!
Thank you for explaining how to restring the cord lock. You are a blind saver! Haha
@@GearGuy2001 👍🏼
I think these eye - hand - brain - exercises , help your mental faculty. Like mental pushups . Excellent video! Thank you 😊
Gotta stay in shape! 😁
So glad your very clear video helps so many and made them so proud. I chanced on your video as I was looking for help to fix a cordless blind but your video is still helpful. Thank you for posting.
You're welcome - thanks for watching!
Thank you for this video! I was able to repair my 30 year old blind...one of the lift cords broke due to little indentation in the plastic piece it rides on (due to pulling down too hard). Your video was so easy to follow. Thank you so much!
Thank you! We had honeycomb blinds from Budget Blinds about 16 years old. Followed step by step and we got it fixed. Budget Blinds uses 0.9 mm cord.
Good to know, and I'm glad it worked well for you! I appreciate you following up. 😁
Thanks for making the nice video. After 14 years we have our first broken string. I appreciate your photos of the top and bottom disassembly. Here's my query - why not tape the new string to the old string so the new gets pulled through as the old gets pulled out? That's what I'm going to try - as soon as I get the right string in hand. Just don't know why we would pull out all the strings first, and then start from scratch, so to speak. Any other readers tried using existing string to pull in new string?
You definitely can tape the old string to the new if the old is still in place. Whatever works for you is the right way to do it! 😁
Thank you so much for this exceptional video. Thanks to you we saved a good and expensive window treatment.
I love hearing that! I've fixed several shades in my house, and they were all in great shape except for the strings. Thanks for watching and commenting! 😁
Excellent video and excellent calm explanation. I’m going to try this myself
Thanks for posting this - Love your work mate
Mike, you had to do this twice according to my calculations....You're a brave man, I myself would have bought new shades. 😀
Hi Tom! The blinds in my office is relatively new but heavily used. And it wasn't cheap… around $230 if I remember correctly. The roll of cord on the other hand was around $10. Challenge accepted! 😁
@@MikeFyxdt You could be Dutch as frugal as you ( rightfully so) are!
@@mokumholland5640 and I am perfectly OK with that! 😁🌷
@@MikeFyxdt yes!!! 👍
Thank you! Very clear and informational video. Actually I am looking for a way to lengthen by diy my top down bottom up Levelor blinds. I’m trying to find a way to tie an additional piece of string to the existing cords so I don’t have to touch with the springs because if I change the entire cords to longer ones, I will have to rewind the wheels. Think it’s workable?
I've never restrung a top down blind before. Please check back and let us know if you were able to do it!
Thank you! Blinds are back up and working.
Excellent!
A double turn (twice) on your knot helps it to not slip out. A sewing trick my aunt taught me.
Good advice! Thanks! 😄
Thank you, just what I was looking for!
You're welcome! Good luck with your project. 😁
Hi Mike, I am having trouble removing and replacing the clutch on a bali cellular shade it does come out easily as in your video. This clutch is the old style but it looks like the one you removed, and is there a tool to do that. Thank you in advance
I use two thin screwdrivers to press in the "wings" that clip it into place, and then pry out in the same motion. If you take off the endcap and shine a flashlight in there, perhaps that will give you a better view so you can see what's holding it in. Good luck!
That was beautiful with the guitar string 😢
👍
Thank you for your video. Where do you buy the string?
You're welcome! I bought the string on Amazon... do a search on "lift shade cord". Mine was 1.8mm, but you should call the manufacturer to check the cord thickness on yours, since they vary widely. Good luck!
Bali will also send you string for free if you call them. My Bali blinds have a "lifetime warranty" but when I called them to act on that, they basically said I would have to pay a lot to ship the blind back to them, but they sent me a big roll of string for free.
I was lost within a minute of your video with cutting the cord and saving pieces. Is there a national Bali repair company that can do it for me?
@@williamc2930 I purchased my shade at Lowe's. If anyone would have the answer, they would… I would try giving them a call. Hope that helps!
Just the video I needed. Thank You!
You're welcome Sandra! Good luck with your project!
Hey Mike do you have any recommendations on how to clean a stained shade?
I bought mine from a thrift shop and it’s heavily stained with nicotine stains🫠
Oh, that's a tough one! This is only a guess, but maybe take it outside and open it on a flat clean surface. Mist the entire shade with water on one side, and then mist it again with a grease solvent like simple green. Let it sit, and then brush it lightly with a soft bristle brush, taken care of not to crush the shade. Then rinse it a few times to remove the solvent. Flip and repeat. Then figure out a way to let the shade dry, either in the sunlight or by hanging it up somewhere so it can drip dry.
Mike I ordered 6 feet of replacement string - is that enough?
6'?! Noooo! The shade in my video, finished, uses at least 25 feet. For around $12 you can get 100 yards. Even if you don't use it for blinds, the extra string has lots of great uses. Treat yourself to a bigger roll! 😁
Does anyone know who can fix this? Any local store in NJ/NY area?
I'm having a hard time getting my shade off the brackets! I think I can get the rest done if I can get the shade down. It is mounted on the inside of the window opening on the top side of the opening. It is always something! I think it must snap out with a twist or something but I can't reach it well. It is in the window above my kitchen sink so awkward to get close to.
I'm replying to my own post. I saw another UA-cam video that talked about brackets- not my particular one- but another kind. That gave me the information to try again and it was so simple to swivel this catch and release the blind and then when it was all done and needed to be put back up it was super easy to put up even though I really needed a couple more hands. Thanks for the very informative video as it gave me such good information in such a easily understood format that I was able to tackle it and get it done after probably 2 years of wonky blind.
@@suedoran4521 Sue I'm glad you found a solution! I wrestle with mine every time I remove them. Reinstalling them is always easy, though. I guess they don't want them falling! 😁
👍👍
You wouldn't believe how expensive these blinds are, so no way I was going to replace an otherwise perfectly good shade!
Very informative video. Are you also interested in talking something about lawn machine maintenance and repair? We are looking for youtubers to work with to help more homeowners know the tips about small engine repair.