Keeping the sun out!!

[kingman]

Hi
Tomorrow l'm going to order the static film to put on the inside of my smoked top to keep the heat down. should l order the solid one or the one with the pin holes????

It comes in grey and black. My interior is beige and the exterior is Torch Red.

Thanks

Alan

 

[Rabbit]

Get the one with the pin holes. Either color will look good. IMO

 

[Rowdy1]

Is It.....

A window tint? If so, I just had it done on my truck by a friend right here in good old NJ. Not sure if we're talking about the same thing, let me know and if you want, I'll give you his #, he's VERY good with this stuff.

 

[Magmotor]

I installed the solid black one on my '89. Works great, does help with the heat...

 

[Baldie88]

I've got the one with the pin holes installed in my 88. Definitely stops some of the sun's heat and you can still see somewhat out of it.

 

[Vettelt193]

Kingman: do you have your windows tinted? If not, your temperature won't go down much. The front and back glass absorb much more heat than the roof does. If they are tinted, any of the above are good choices. I personally would go with the solid black one to get the most out of the product.

If your windows are not tinted... I highly suggest getting them done, and using good tint. 3M is one of the best (if not the best) I think the 3M tint that I have on my 'Vette has 76% heat blockage... needless to say, the inside is much much cooler than before.

 

[Ken]

... static film to put on the inside of my smoked top to keep the heat down.

Alan, I think the only way to effectively block the heat coming through your acrylic roof panel is to replace it with a solid color roof panel. You can lower the temperature somewhat by using that stuff, but it won't be by much.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

_ken

 

[caddy]

Say can you guys fill me in on this? I have a targa top and your right it does get hot, are you just applying that film stuff?
thanks

 

[bradvette]

I'm curious about the performance of the film product as well

 

[Magmotor]

What I did was take my top off and lay it on its back on a towel on the pinic table. The flim comes rolled up. To get the creases out you unroll it and soak it in warm water for about 5 mins. Becomes very plyable. roll it back up while still in the water then start from one edge of the top and roll it out, squeezing out any air or bubbles. Don't use any kind of tool to remove the entriped air. Fingers or a soft cloth or you will scratch the surface.
I'm extremely happy with the results. The blockage of heat is incredable. I not only put this on the top but I got some from "RV Camping World" the same type flim but a special "see thru" flim for RV's and put it on the entire back window. My A/C cools down to 72 in about 2 mins and doesn't cycle hardly near what it would without this stuff. If you live where I live, deep south, I would highly recommend it. I can now sit it the car without a cap on and not feel like I'm in a microwave oven.

 

[caddy]

Is this the same type of stuff that has like a backing film that you remove before you apply it?
If so do you remove the backing before or after you put it in the water?
thanks

 

[Magmotor]

Remove the backing and put it in the water. Roll it out while in the water and give it a good soaking. I rolled it back up wo/the backing on but you might try putting the backing back on after the soaking and then roll it back up to start the installation. Either way it took me a couople of trys to get it to go on square with the top. It's not a perfect fit. Trimming had to be done after it was in place. Hope this help......

 

[caddy]

Yes it does help alot...........thanks!

 

[Baldie88]

I also use the pinhole film and used the same procedures as magmotor. However one thing you need to do before hand is to make sure the top is completely grease free. You'd be amazed the haze and film on them. I believe they recommend cleaning the top with rubbing alcohol to get it completely clean. Put mine on about 18 months ago and it still is in place and works fine.

 

[bradvette]

What is the name of the stuff that you guys have been talking about? Where can it be purchased from?

Thanks!

 

[Magmotor]

The Top can be gotten at Corvette Central: #604427-Solid Black; #604426-Dot Matrix OR Mid Amaerica:#602-162....The cover I used for the rear window is made by "Kwik" and can be bought in one yard width by any length at:

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=6396

And "ditto" on the cleaning of the top before applying this material. I forgot too mention that.

 

[vms4evr]

I bought both of the static cling pre cut shades from MAD a couple of years ago. The dark film doesn't do as good a job as the one with pinholes in it. Mainly the dark one lets you see out of the roof and just makes it darker tinted. The one with the pinholes is a grey colored sheet. You can't really see out of the roof after it is on. But it does a better job simply because it doesn't let the sunlight in much at all. The both install pretty easy.

Hey magmotor,
How well does the camper stuff you're talking about work on the driver/passenger window? I would think rolling the window up and down would knock the static cling stuff off or scratch it up. Also if you did the hatchback. How in the heck did you get it to fit? That curved glass is a real bi$%& to work with...

Graham

 

[Magmotor]

VMS,
The Kwik material would not work on a working window. It would scratch it up too bad and wouldn't last long. Before I got it wet I laid it out over the rear window and cut out the shape. Then trimmed it up after it was on. There are seams but doesn't look all that bad and for $20, what the hey......I was thinking about the heat. It gets real real hot down here....

 

[vms4evr]

Magmotor,
Thanks. You're right for $20 that doesn't hurt too much. I tried it before with static cling and the roll stuff but didn't have a piece big enough and the curve was just too much to deal with.

Hey Len,
Oh you'll be seeing me come Sep for the run up to Helen and the Dragon
So I can check it out while I'm down. My friend had his car done at a local shop that does awesome work. But I thought they were a little too pricey.

Graham