My custom made sun shade

[MisfitSELF]

I had an old roll of reflective bubble type sun shade that I used years ago in my old apartment.  I had a large window that faced directly into the sun and that room grew quite hot in the summer.

The roll had sat around my house unused for 10 years then tonight it dawned on me that I needed a front sunshade for my Mooney.  It literally took me 15 minutes, only because I stopped to take pictures!

Almost perfect fit too.

 

 

[Skates97]

I did the same thing for all my windows. The ones in the rear windows will often stay in place when flying on a hot day to keep it cooler. 

[1964-M20E]

I like the idea of putting it on the outside to cut.  Makes getting a good fit much easier than trying from the inside.

Was thinking if you have any issues with it sagging you might be able to get some thin 1/8" diameter fiberglass rods and insert them into the material to provide support.  Or you could just use a needle and thread and stitch them to the material for support.

 

 

 

[Chandler Avionics]

Nice job! We have some for our customers in AZ.... 

[smccray]

3 hours ago, 1964-M20E said:

Was thinking if you have any issues with it sagging you might be able to get some thin 1/8" diameter fiberglass rods and insert them into the material to provide support.  Or you could just use a needle and thread and stitch them to the material for support.

I haven't had a problem with mine sagging.  I did an accordion fold on the shade- folds up and makes it easier to unfold around the front steel cage support.  If it sags without the folds I would consider folding it to give it the support.  I wouldn't add any rigid/semi-rigid supports as it will make it more difficult to get into the windshield around the visors.  If you have to make another one after a few years because it gets chewed up... who cares.  The material is cheap, and you can use the old one as a template.  Mine is going strong after 4+ years.

12 hours ago, Skates97 said:

I did the same thing for all my windows. The ones in the rear windows will often stay in place when flying on a hot day to keep it cooler. 

+1, although I haven't left mine in the rear windows.  I worry about reduce visibility out the right side of the airplane but it's probably not something to worry about.  I do put all the shades in the windows on the ramp and it definitely helps keep the plane cooler in the summer- especially when coming back at 2-3:00 PM to fly home after a meeting.

[Cooperd0g]

For a plane being kept outside what is everyone's opinion on this vs a canopy cover?

[milotron]

I have been told, and tend to agree that the reflective surface inside the windows would make the windows very hot and possible accelerate degradation. An exterior Sunbrella type of canopy cover would be much better, in my opinion.

I have these panels for my plane and have never used them for this reason. ( they came with the plane )

iain

[xcrmckenna]

I have been told, and tend to agree that the reflective surface inside the windows would make the windows very hot and possible accelerate degradation. An exterior Sunbrella type of canopy cover would be much better, in my opinion.
I have these panels for my plane and have never used them for this reason. ( they came with the plane )
iain

I agree, I have the silver shades and they do make the windows warmer than the skin in direct sunlight. I bought a canopy cover and will use both for added protection and concealment when the airplane is out at night.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kpaul]

2 hours ago, milotron said:

I have been told, and tend to agree that the reflective surface inside the windows would make the windows very hot and possible accelerate degradation. An exterior Sunbrella type of canopy cover would be much better, in my opinion.

I have these panels for my plane and have never used them for this reason. ( they came with the plane )

iain

I can replace the windows for less than the cost of the avionics, leather and interior plastic.  An exterior cover is great until a layer of dust gets between it and the windows/paint, then you get fine scratches.

[laytonl]

I make my own sun shades too.  My wife sews a hem around the edges to keep them from fraying.  I believe the last time I bought the material is was RV sunshades from Walmart.  They are big and work well.  Lee

[kpaul]

9 minutes ago, laytonl said:

I make my own sun shades too.  My wife sews a hem around the edges to keep them from fraying.  I believe the last time I bought the material is was RV sunshades from Walmart.  They are big and work well.  Lee

I made mine as well, although I did the sewing. 

I added suction cups to the side windows, I will try to remember to  take some pictures the next time I am at the hangar.  I also modified the pilots window so the cool scoop has a slot to pass through.  I figure I am out about $20.

[Skates97]

4 hours ago, kpaul said:

I can replace the windows for less than the cost of the avionics, leather and interior plastic.  An exterior cover is great until a layer of dust gets between it and the windows/paint, then you get fine scratches.

I agree. Even if I had to replace them sooner than if I didn't use the reflective shades it's not going to break the bank. 

[Skates97]

On 8/21/2017 at 11:08 PM, Skates97 said:

I did the same thing for all my windows. The ones in the rear windows will often stay in place when flying on a hot day to keep it cooler. 

 

1 hour ago, Mooney_Mike said:

?

I guess I could have been more specific. The thread was about the custom sunshade he made. I replied that I made my own for all my windows. If there's nobody in the back seat I will often leave the ones in the rear windows. 

[AZM20C]

Thanks for the tutorial. Good job. I ordered a roll of reflective type bubble rap off of Amazon a few weeks ago but was dreading trying to figure out how to measure the window shapes. You made it look easy so I went out the next day and made my window shades. I've been concerned about a canopy cover scratching the paint if grit got under it on a breezy day. Every little bit helps in AZ. I used a couple of strips of Velcro stuck just above the window in each corner. Thanks misfitself.

 

[kpaul]

Here are the shades I made for mine.

Shows the back side of the suction cup.  I punched a hole through the shade, put a washer over the back of the suction cup and ran a cotter pin to hold it in place.  I covered it with aluminum tape.

Shows the cut I made in the shade to allow my cool scoop to pass through.

Windshield, there are two.  The split design makes it easier to install behind the metal frame.

[Skates97]

1 hour ago, kpaul said:

Windshield, there are two.  The split design makes it easier to install behind the metal frame.

Brilliant, I don't know why I didn't think of that. The bubble wrap type stuff is fairly stiff and is a pain getting it to slide between the post and the windshield. I'm going to split mine in two like yours. 

[kpaul]

1 hour ago, Skates97 said:

Brilliant, I don't know why I didn't think of that. The bubble wrap type stuff is fairly stiff and is a pain getting it to slide between the post and the windshield. I'm going to split mine in two like yours. 

Because I planned on them being split they are longer than half the window.  They overlap by a few inches, that also allows the bar to hold them in place.