reflextics - well the shiny bubble wrap type stuff

[Snikwahjm]

Encasing the reflextics in fabric did not work. It looked very nice. The fabric was dark with metallic stripes. The van was heating up too much.
To make the covers I traced around the reflextics panels (previously made) then I sewed two pieces right on the line. I had magnets around the edges held on with ductape which failed. So I ripped out the stitching and inserted magnets in tabs around the covers. I turned it right side out through a place I left open on one edge. It was a B**** to get it to fit. I just sewed up the opening. Pretty easy.
Since I like the panels covered but want the reflextics on the side toward the glass I cut away most of the fabric from that side and put some metal type duct tape - the stuff they really use on ducts... on the fabric and on the reflextics. It worked. If I were to do it again I would just cut out the reflextics to fit the window, lay it on fabric - fold the fabric over and use the tape to hold it in place. The tape is made to stand up to the heat. It does. No failures so far.

[Snikwahjm]

The gorilla tape didn’t work as good as the metal looking tape.

[sternwake]

Look into Nashua flexfix tape.

it is shiny and very sticky and can be stretched slightly. The peel off backing aluminum tape will not like being bent rolled and folded and tears way too easily.

When making window shades, know that when folded and rolled up many times, they will get shorter over time and extensions will be required to fill in the gaps at the edges.

I use magnets, but not attached to the reflectix but simply to keep the shades from succumbing to gravity, The magnets stay on the window frames when I pull the shades.

Part of the reason reflectix is good for this duty is the reflective factor, but the other portion is emissivity. A hot shiny surface does not radiate much heat compared to a hot black surface. So if one has reflectix painted black on one side facing out, but shiny on the inside, the inside reflective portion will not radiate as much heat inward compared to if the interior face was black.

But the black facing outward will also heat up much more.

Also keep in mind that a saggy reflectix window shade several inches from the window will superheat the air between the window and shade and this will make it inside the vehicle. So tight fitting shades are more effective than those with big gaps between glass and shade.

Over time, the window shades will sag in the middle. I used the nashuaflexfix tape to adhere very stiff cardboard in strips so that it cannot crease in the middle and can still be easily rolled or folded. I have used thin white oak strips along the edges as well.

My shades are pretty beat up and are likely 10 years old. I could go nuts with another layer of flexfix tape, but it would be more wise to get a new roll of reflectix and make new ones, or just add another layer to the existing ones and accept their extra bulk when rolled up/folded.

As far as making them tight fitting, one ca unroll the reflextix over the outside of the window, and trace it with a sharpie, and then cut it a bit outside that line, large, as one can always shave it down, but do keep in mind they will get shorter when folded or rolled often.

My conversion van windows are smoked glass, in direct sun they get very hot and radiate a lot of heat to the interior. I have some thick cardboard 3 or 4 piece kind of interlocking panels to fit tightly within the windows, with black contact paper facng outward with curtain materials facing inward,. The black contact paper faded to purple pretty quickly so I painted it black with high temp flat black gas grill paint. This significantly lowers the amount of heat that radiates inward but I still have some dollar store reflectix that I will put on the interior, as the silver surface will not radiate much of that heat to the interior.

I can remove the panels pretty easily when i want to look out.

I also have some black bungee cords that have multiple attachment points around the windows, When it gets super hot I will use the bungees to hold my pillows or extra blankets to the sunny side window, and my passenger side rear window has basically been covered by my sleeping bag for months as it usually faces east and I am a bit of a late sleeper.

I like usng some Isoproply alcohol to wipe down the reflextix before adhering the Nasua Flexfix tape to promote strong adhesion.

[Snikwahjm]

That’s the tape I used! Yes, shiny side out pretty side in. Yes the van windows are tinted - with what? Who knows?
Sssooooo if I want some heat maybe move the reflextics away from the window and let it heat up a bit? Reverse the shades?
I had some Mylar from the trash - laid it over the window outside and traced to make a template. That worked beautifully.
We had to put screws with washers on the side of the window to get the magnets to stick.

[Nissi]

Light comes in our van and reflects all over the place from the reflextics - I'd prefer it to be darker at night. The outside is ok but I just encased the reflextics in fabric to hold it all together.

I am at a loss with your statement here. Probably just me...

For the cab area of my Nissan Cargo Van I cut reflextic to fit snugly over the window.
NO light comes in here, day or night.
For the front (very large window) I cut a slot in the reflextic to go around the rear view
mirror. And the front window visors hold the reflextic in place.

I could have cut this piece a little longer (up and down), but even not being as
snug a fit as the side windows there is very little light that gets in or is seen on the outside
from inside the van.

When I put in one side window where the sun is shining, have the other window open a bit,
and the front window covered there is a HUGE drop in the amount of heat coming into the van.

[TrainChaser]

Some people buy that Foamcore stuff (dollar stores often have it) that people use for their yard sale signs (it doesn't flop). Make a paper pattern of the window, cut Foamcore to pattern size, press into window. Once it fits, remove it, glue Reflextix to the Foamcore, trim to size, press into window (held with tension) with the Reflextic facing outward.

Light should not be coming into the van unless you've got some uncovered windows.

[Snikwahjm]

We have some windows in the roof and light hits them and the reflextics lights up the whole van. We cut a piece to go in there. It will be tested tomorrow night.

[Nissi]

We have some windows in the roof and light hits them and the reflextics lights up the whole van. We cut a piece to go in there. It will be tested tomorrow night.

Ahhh... now I see what you are referring to, with light coming into your van. 
Do these windows let in air for ventilation?

[Snikwahjm]

No air but they used to leak. We put reflextics over them so we shall see how much it makes a difference. This van has a lot of windows. Even a tiny bit of light bounces all over the place.

[Nissi]

We have some windows in the roof and light hits them and the reflextics lights up the whole van. We cut a piece to go in there. It will be tested tomorrow night.

A thought would be to put Velcro around the edge of your roof windows. Then
put Velcro on some dark material, perhaps some vinyl you can acquire at Walmart
in their fabric department.