Homemade Custom Sun Shades

[Cloudsurfer11-03]

Hey everyone. I just made myself a set of custom fit sun shades and thought I'd make a post to help consolidate some of the other information on the topic I've found on this site. First, I have to thank gsxrpilot & Skates97 for their helpful posts.

As far as materials you need the following:
- Aluminum bubble insulation (available at most hardware stores, lumber yards, and amazon)
- Aluminum tape (for banding the edges of the shades)
- Blue painters tape
- Scissors

Process:
1. Unroll the insulation over the exterior of the window
2. Tape in place with painters tape
3. Cut out sun shade following window edge (re-tape as necessary while cutting)
4. Trim edges/fine tune shape once cut out from main sheet
5. Cut slit down middle of front windscreen and overlap or cut out extra material to accommodate compound window curve
6. Tape seams with aluminum tape
7. Fold aluminum tape over/around edges to add rigidity and prevent tears. 

I also made a step by step how to video: 

 

 

Thanks again everyone for making this project possible.

[Lance Link]

I have a friend who did this for an Archer.  Do you worry about these things scratching the plastic?  I trust the companies that make these for aircraft to sell me stuff that won't scratch, but I don't know about the hardware store material.

[PT20J]

If you don't tape the edges, the bare edges of the aluminum insulation material can scratch the plexiglass (happened to a friend). Cloth tape is probably better than aluminum tape to tape the edges with something that won't scratch.

[carusoam]

The video is worth watching...

Our cloudsurfer actually made it fun to watch. 

Best regards,

-a-

[gsxrpilot]

I'm using this stuff... I just cut out the shapes for the windows and done. I didn't do anything to the edges. Three years later, no scratching, no tearing. It's just rigid enough to stay in the windows when put there. Easy to roll up and stuff back on the hat rack. And doesn't weigh anything.

 

[SantosDumont]

I did the same thing.  Works awesome and cost $20.  Except the one mod I did was to put some transparent velcro in the corners of the window so I could easily pop the shades on and off.

[Cloudsurfer11-03]

Thanks everyone for the positive feedback. So far I haven't had any issues with the aluminum tape around the edges scratching the windows, it seems prety soft & flexible.