What is everyone using as a window sunshade/reflector?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
What is everyone using as a window sunshade/reflector?
Car is a 951. Having trouble locating one that already has the cut out for the rear view mirror, and the one that I did find, appears not to go all the way to the top of the windshield.
#3
Nordschleife Master
Look into solar window tints which you can actually get without a tint while they still stop over 3/4 of the heat and all the UV. Obviously another good thing about them is they also work while you’re driving. I have solar on the front windscreen of one of my street cars and also on my track car here in Florida, happy with the results.
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jtedgar (07-12-2019)
#5
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WalMart. The collapsible circles. Easy to stow. Easy to use. Easy to pay. About $8.
#7
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#9
Burning Brakes
Here's an awesome supplier:
https://www.heatshieldstore.com/car-...sche-944-coupe
They make one for the windshield and the rear hatch glass.
If you sign up with your email address, they have 10% off and free shipping with purchase of two items frequently.
And they ship very quickly.
And I have no affiliation with their company other than being a happy customer!
https://www.heatshieldstore.com/car-...sche-944-coupe
They make one for the windshield and the rear hatch glass.
If you sign up with your email address, they have 10% off and free shipping with purchase of two items frequently.
And they ship very quickly.
And I have no affiliation with their company other than being a happy customer!
#10
Three Wheelin'
Look into solar window tints which you can actually get without a tint while they still stop over 3/4 of the heat and all the UV. Obviously another good thing about them is they also work while you’re driving. I have solar on the front windscreen of one of my street cars and also on my track car here in Florida, happy with the results.
#11
Rennlist Member
I'm a big fan of ceramic tint and really need to get my 944 done since I have no A/C. Only problem is I can't legally tint the front windscreen here so only the sides and hatch glass can be done (legal max of 30%). Summers here are intense and high UV so I'm disappointed I can't completely enclose my interior.
#13
Three Wheelin'
Unfortunately that is still applying something to the front windscreen, even if clear. Sorry I misled by saying I can't 'tint' the front windscreen. That was one of my first questions when I got my daily wagon done. They wont allow anything applied to the front windscreen except a banner and that is only allowed to come down so far.
#14
Just got done making myself 2 of these for my 944 and 968. Total cost was $40 for the material and there's enough to do 3 more so $8 a piece. Not completely finished as I need to find a binding foot for my sewing machine so I can bind the edges in fabric but they fit perfectly with no gaps at all. They stand up on their own just fine but a proper binding will help them stay a bit more rigid. Total time is about 20 minutes to make one. This is all I did:
First was making a pattern. Laid out some newspapers and taped them together to make a piece big enough to cover the windshield. I used a few pieces of tape to hold it onto the car. Once you get the paper laid out, use a Sharpie to trace around the outside seal to get an idea of where the windshield line is. From there you need to trace about 1/2" inside of that line as that is how big your sun screen needs to be. This is super easy on the sides and top. The bottom line however isn't so clear cut. To get the bottom line I folded the paper up to where the black paint on the glass stops to get an idea of where the bottom of the shade needed to be. This line does not need an inside line drawn as the shade will slide under there inside between the glass and dash. From here you basically connect the lines so to speak. This is your pattern. While you're here, also note where your mirror is on the pattern.
Cut out your pattern. From here, I also folded my pattern in half to make sure both sides were identical. If they aren't, trim them to make them the same.
This is what I used to make the shade. Reflectix insulation from Menards. Home Depot doesn't carry it where I live and not sure about Lowes but you can also order it online. It is the exact same stuff every other sun shade is made of. It's basically double thick bubble wrap with mylar on both sides. You need to get the 48" wide stuff as our windshields measure 27" tall. Yes, there is a lot of waste here but I didn't want to mess with trying to seam it to save a few bucks.
Unroll a length of the insulation and lay out your pattern. For reference, the shade ends up being about 27" by 54" wide. Trace around the pattern with a Sharpie and cut it out with a pair of sharp scissors. Don't try to use kitchen shears as it won't cut this stuff. Use good scissors. Even a cheap pair of new scissors is better than trying to cut it with dull ones. Also, fold your pattern in half and crease it. Use this center fold to line it up with a row of bubbles on the Reflectix to make sure the shade will be straight and even. This will help it fold up nicely when it's done.
You also want to cut out the mirror hole. Each car will be different especially if your windshield has ever been replaced. I found out the hard way that my 944 mirror sits about an inch lower than my 968 mirror. This is why the mirror hole is so big. I also rounded the corners here just to make it look nicer.
From here, you can leave it as-is or you can try to bind the edges. It fits and works perfectly fine without the binding but it would be more rigid with it. When I find a binding foot for my ancient sewing machine I'll bind them but for now, this will do.
So there you go, how to make a custom fitted sun shade for $8. Not hard, takes longer to go to the store to get the Reflectix than it does to make a pattern and cut it out. Hope it helps.
First was making a pattern. Laid out some newspapers and taped them together to make a piece big enough to cover the windshield. I used a few pieces of tape to hold it onto the car. Once you get the paper laid out, use a Sharpie to trace around the outside seal to get an idea of where the windshield line is. From there you need to trace about 1/2" inside of that line as that is how big your sun screen needs to be. This is super easy on the sides and top. The bottom line however isn't so clear cut. To get the bottom line I folded the paper up to where the black paint on the glass stops to get an idea of where the bottom of the shade needed to be. This line does not need an inside line drawn as the shade will slide under there inside between the glass and dash. From here you basically connect the lines so to speak. This is your pattern. While you're here, also note where your mirror is on the pattern.
Cut out your pattern. From here, I also folded my pattern in half to make sure both sides were identical. If they aren't, trim them to make them the same.
This is what I used to make the shade. Reflectix insulation from Menards. Home Depot doesn't carry it where I live and not sure about Lowes but you can also order it online. It is the exact same stuff every other sun shade is made of. It's basically double thick bubble wrap with mylar on both sides. You need to get the 48" wide stuff as our windshields measure 27" tall. Yes, there is a lot of waste here but I didn't want to mess with trying to seam it to save a few bucks.
Unroll a length of the insulation and lay out your pattern. For reference, the shade ends up being about 27" by 54" wide. Trace around the pattern with a Sharpie and cut it out with a pair of sharp scissors. Don't try to use kitchen shears as it won't cut this stuff. Use good scissors. Even a cheap pair of new scissors is better than trying to cut it with dull ones. Also, fold your pattern in half and crease it. Use this center fold to line it up with a row of bubbles on the Reflectix to make sure the shade will be straight and even. This will help it fold up nicely when it's done.
You also want to cut out the mirror hole. Each car will be different especially if your windshield has ever been replaced. I found out the hard way that my 944 mirror sits about an inch lower than my 968 mirror. This is why the mirror hole is so big. I also rounded the corners here just to make it look nicer.
From here, you can leave it as-is or you can try to bind the edges. It fits and works perfectly fine without the binding but it would be more rigid with it. When I find a binding foot for my ancient sewing machine I'll bind them but for now, this will do.
So there you go, how to make a custom fitted sun shade for $8. Not hard, takes longer to go to the store to get the Reflectix than it does to make a pattern and cut it out. Hope it helps.