07-16-2019, 10:50 PM
Reflectix and the generic brands are great products, but it does wear out. I have some that was new 6 months ago and stopped 99.5% of light 6 months ago in my windshield, now I would estimate it is down to 95% light blockage.
I have made my own tight fitting window shades for all front windows. it is important there is not huge gaps between the windows and the reflectix as the air in between gets superheated and then can get around it and infect the interior.
One product I would like to bring to the attention of members here, is a vinyl, static cling type of mirror tint. They advertise is as a one way mirror tint but that is generous, if there is any significant light on the other side of the tint.
But its ability to block heat is impressive. I put some on my conversion van smoked window interior, and the portion of sunlight hitting the wood inside was 8 degrees cooler than the portion without it. That is a significant difference!
When driving west through Arizona in march, the sunlight was baking my arm, while driving I stuck some to the window and it seemed like 80%+ of that radiant heat was blocked, and I could still see through it to the mirror. Made the intolerable totally comfortable.
It does not appear to be reflective when applied to an already tinted window, but it does block some percentage of heat getting through.
it only appears reflective like a mirror, applied to clear windows and only when the interior is darker than outside. if it is light inside it still appears reflective, but one can see through it.
It is very easy to apply and remove and leaves no residue. Sometimes when it does not like to cling to the window, I wipe the window with water and then just squeegee center to edges with the wetted napkin, or a real squeegee if i want it to not have bubbles.
I use this in my passenger front window under my fan shroud to hide my dog from doogooders who cannot apply logic and read a thermometer and then call the cops and revel in their self fabricated indignation and ignorance. With my other front windows covered with reflectix she is invisible inside on her perch, yet can look out the window as she needs a view. I have had no issues with doogooders freakin out, since getting this static cling mirror like window tint.
In colder weather I used to peel it off and stick it on a back window every time I drove, due to tint laws in Ca on the front windows, but now I leave it on and drive with that window down the whole time.
It is cheap, blocks light and a lot of heat. I have installed some over my side doors windows that I have tinted with real but low quality 35% window tint that uses adhesive. While i have reflectix/cardboard window shades panels for these windows, I have not employed them since applying this vinyl tint to them. together both tints block an amazing amount of heat, and it is very difficult to see past them if it is dark inside, yet seeing out is no problem.
they sell black and silver, I bought the silver, and am going to buy more, now. My neighbors bought some black and gave me what they have left over, i do nto know how effective it is as I have not employed the black anywhere, yet.
the optics of this mirror tint are not great even if one takes care when applying it with a more permanent intention. I'd not be trying to take pictures through it. It has not peeled off anywhere that I have installed it intending it to be quasi permanent, but I do wish i spent more time cleaning and prepping the window interiors i applied it to.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXRVVGQ/ref...ytYxb&th=1
Basicaly any window this is applied to is going to let less heat through whether it is smoked glass like conversion van windows, or windows that already have a window tint applied to them. it will only appear mirror like when applied to clear windows. My previously tinted windows do not appear mirror like at all with this tint installed over it.
Back facing windows, in some states, it is illegal to have mirrored tint. I'll be installing this on my dark tinted back windows without fear. The rest of my conversion van windows that employ smoked glass too. those windows already have insulating black out panels, but those heat up and radiate heat to the interior, and this vinly static cling mirror tint will reduce the amount that they heat up and not look mirror like either, not like reflectix placed in the window does.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXRVVGQ/ref...ytYxb&th=1
When this tint is applied to a clear window, an then reflectix is placed in that window, the reflectix is then less obvious.
It really is an awesome product, and awesome that it can be viewed as temporary, easily removed and placed on another window for storage, or perhaps rolled up and placed elsewhere. While installing permanent adhesive backed tint is a pain in the ass this stuff is much much easier to do.
i've only had mine in use for 6 months but it shows no degradation. the piece i have used as temporary pelling and applying it many dozens of times, has curled at the edges, ad takes a but of water and massaging with a squeegee to get those to lay flat, or a small peice of scotch tape.
I'm ordering more right now before amazon sees a bunch of hits and raises the price
I have made my own tight fitting window shades for all front windows. it is important there is not huge gaps between the windows and the reflectix as the air in between gets superheated and then can get around it and infect the interior.
One product I would like to bring to the attention of members here, is a vinyl, static cling type of mirror tint. They advertise is as a one way mirror tint but that is generous, if there is any significant light on the other side of the tint.
But its ability to block heat is impressive. I put some on my conversion van smoked window interior, and the portion of sunlight hitting the wood inside was 8 degrees cooler than the portion without it. That is a significant difference!
When driving west through Arizona in march, the sunlight was baking my arm, while driving I stuck some to the window and it seemed like 80%+ of that radiant heat was blocked, and I could still see through it to the mirror. Made the intolerable totally comfortable.
It does not appear to be reflective when applied to an already tinted window, but it does block some percentage of heat getting through.
it only appears reflective like a mirror, applied to clear windows and only when the interior is darker than outside. if it is light inside it still appears reflective, but one can see through it.
It is very easy to apply and remove and leaves no residue. Sometimes when it does not like to cling to the window, I wipe the window with water and then just squeegee center to edges with the wetted napkin, or a real squeegee if i want it to not have bubbles.
I use this in my passenger front window under my fan shroud to hide my dog from doogooders who cannot apply logic and read a thermometer and then call the cops and revel in their self fabricated indignation and ignorance. With my other front windows covered with reflectix she is invisible inside on her perch, yet can look out the window as she needs a view. I have had no issues with doogooders freakin out, since getting this static cling mirror like window tint.
In colder weather I used to peel it off and stick it on a back window every time I drove, due to tint laws in Ca on the front windows, but now I leave it on and drive with that window down the whole time.
It is cheap, blocks light and a lot of heat. I have installed some over my side doors windows that I have tinted with real but low quality 35% window tint that uses adhesive. While i have reflectix/cardboard window shades panels for these windows, I have not employed them since applying this vinyl tint to them. together both tints block an amazing amount of heat, and it is very difficult to see past them if it is dark inside, yet seeing out is no problem.
they sell black and silver, I bought the silver, and am going to buy more, now. My neighbors bought some black and gave me what they have left over, i do nto know how effective it is as I have not employed the black anywhere, yet.
the optics of this mirror tint are not great even if one takes care when applying it with a more permanent intention. I'd not be trying to take pictures through it. It has not peeled off anywhere that I have installed it intending it to be quasi permanent, but I do wish i spent more time cleaning and prepping the window interiors i applied it to.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXRVVGQ/ref...ytYxb&th=1
Basicaly any window this is applied to is going to let less heat through whether it is smoked glass like conversion van windows, or windows that already have a window tint applied to them. it will only appear mirror like when applied to clear windows. My previously tinted windows do not appear mirror like at all with this tint installed over it.
Back facing windows, in some states, it is illegal to have mirrored tint. I'll be installing this on my dark tinted back windows without fear. The rest of my conversion van windows that employ smoked glass too. those windows already have insulating black out panels, but those heat up and radiate heat to the interior, and this vinly static cling mirror tint will reduce the amount that they heat up and not look mirror like either, not like reflectix placed in the window does.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CXRVVGQ/ref...ytYxb&th=1
When this tint is applied to a clear window, an then reflectix is placed in that window, the reflectix is then less obvious.
It really is an awesome product, and awesome that it can be viewed as temporary, easily removed and placed on another window for storage, or perhaps rolled up and placed elsewhere. While installing permanent adhesive backed tint is a pain in the ass this stuff is much much easier to do.
i've only had mine in use for 6 months but it shows no degradation. the piece i have used as temporary pelling and applying it many dozens of times, has curled at the edges, ad takes a but of water and massaging with a squeegee to get those to lay flat, or a small peice of scotch tape.
I'm ordering more right now before amazon sees a bunch of hits and raises the price
![[-]](https://vandwellerforum.com/images/collapse.png)