DIY Window Coverings For Dodge Grand Caravan | No Build Minivan Camper Conversion

Who wants others to see what we're doing INSIDE our van? Not me! So watch as we make some pretty basic, but totally effective, window coverings for our 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan!

List of things Needed:

Reflectix Insulation - We had about 20ft worth of windows to cover (between length & height) so we bout TWO 24inX10ft rolls at Home Depot - Roughly $11 each
Painters Tape (or Cardboard can be used) - For making outlines of your windows. We used about a roll and a half, the BIG rolls. Can be found just about anywhere for a few bucks.
Xacto Knife (Precision Craft Knife) - To cut the tape off your windows
Gorilla Glue Spray Adhesive - 14oz Can - Roughly $10 at Home Depot
Black Matte Spray Paint - $7/can at Home Depot
Your Choice of Fabric - I got about 7 yards and had a couple left over for mistakes - was about $35 for the fabric on a sale day at Hobby Lobby
Scissors
Tape Measure
-Permanent Marker
Flashlight
Gorilla Glue Tape (can be used to outline shades - we used on one)

The How-To:

1. Measure ALL windows that you plan to cover, length and height
2.Head to the store and grab your supplies - remember, it never hurts to buy a little extra than needed in the event that you make a mistake!
3. Take Painters Tape and Tape across the selected window you want to start with - make sure your strands of tape overlap a bit so they stick together once you peel it off.
4. With the tip of the Xacto Knife, lightly press down on tape and cut the outline of your window out of the tape. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to press LIGHTLY as to not disturb any window tint you may have. The blade is very sharp and does not need much to cut thru the tape.
5. Once you have cut your outline, peel away any excess tape on the outsides of the outline - you should be left with a very clean outline of your window.
6. Slowly Peel the tape towards you - watch video to see how Ryan grabs & pulls the tape back towards him. Once tape is off, place sticky side UP on a flat surface.
*REPEAT STEPS 3 THRU 6 FOR ALL WINDOWS*
7. Roll out your Reflectix with the curl facing downwards
8. Slowly place tape outline onto Reflectix and smooth out as to get rid of any bubbles in the tape.
9. Once Tape is flat/flush onto Reflectix, use Xacto Knife or Scissors to cut out the shape of your window (We had to do rough cuts FIRST for the small, rear windows and the back window as they had a notch we had to cut out later) Since windows come in pairs, you can just trace your first window shade onto the Reflectix and cut it out slightly larger - trimming as needed later. This will save time!
*REPEAT STEPS 7 THRU 9 FOR ALL WINDOWS*
10. If you have ANY window shades that need finer tuning - you can peel your tape outline off your shades and place if back on the van window that needs trimming.
11. For this step you will need another set of hands - One person take a flashlight and go in the van. The other stay on the outside with the Xacto knife. Shine the flashlight on the outline of the window from the inside, outwards - Slowly move along the window outline. The person on the outside cutting will see the light and be able to follow that for a clean, cut around the actual part of the window you need to cover.
12. Once all window shades are cut out of Reflectix - Spray paint the side you want facing outside - One coat will do the trick! Let Dry for 1 Hour
13. Once Dry, set shades aside and lay out your fabric. Trace shades onto fabric. MAKE SURE YOUR SHADES ARE LAID IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON THE FABRIC. We had to re-trace 3 shades because we messed up this part!
14. Once ALL fabric cut outs are done, lightly spray coat of Gorilla Glue Spray Adhesive onto the fabric and a heavier coat onto the Reflectix - Let sit 1 min to Tack
15. I would recommend having 2 people to position/press the Reflectix and Fabric together - smooth out any bubbles/creases.
*REPEAT STEPS 10-11 FOR EACH WINDOW IF NEEDED AND 12-15 FOR ALL WINDOWS*
16. Let Dry Overnight - Then place in van!

You now have some beautiful, black out worthy window coverings! I will report back on the paint and see how it stands up to the AZ Heat, but since I purchased Black Matte Rust-Oleum Automotive Paint, I think it will be alright. Any questions, please leave them in the comments!

Happy Crafting!!

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