"Hot" Corvette
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Williamsville NY
"Hot" Corvette
I have a 1985 C4 with the Targa top. I’m generally pleased with the car but there is one area that I’m not. That is just how hot the cabin can get on a hot, sunny day.
The glass top is a very dark gray, almost black in color. But still, on a bright, sunny day, the top transmits enough sun light to make the interior uncomfortably warm. This is especially noticeable when stopped a traffic light. And if parked, the cabin will feel like an oven if the car sits for any length of time.
I decided to do something about the problem. I thought if I attached to the inner surface of the top one those reflective shields, that we normally put against the windshield that would reflect the sun light, keeping the cabin much cooler. So I bought one of the folding windscreen sun shields and went to work.
I first removed the top and thoroughly cleaned the inner surface. I then cut the reflective shield to the shape of the inner top surface and held it in place with 12 pieces of 1” long Velcro hook and loop tape. Finally, I finished the cut edge with black electrical tape.
I put the top back on and tried it. I was amazed just how much cooler the cabin is. An extra benefit is a bit of noise reduction due to the foam backing of the reflective material. From the outside, the change is practically invisible; the reflective material isn’t seen unless you get very close.
The cost to do this was $3.50 for the shield, $1.50 for a piece of hook and loop Velcro and about one hour of time.
The glass top is a very dark gray, almost black in color. But still, on a bright, sunny day, the top transmits enough sun light to make the interior uncomfortably warm. This is especially noticeable when stopped a traffic light. And if parked, the cabin will feel like an oven if the car sits for any length of time.
I decided to do something about the problem. I thought if I attached to the inner surface of the top one those reflective shields, that we normally put against the windshield that would reflect the sun light, keeping the cabin much cooler. So I bought one of the folding windscreen sun shields and went to work.
I first removed the top and thoroughly cleaned the inner surface. I then cut the reflective shield to the shape of the inner top surface and held it in place with 12 pieces of 1” long Velcro hook and loop tape. Finally, I finished the cut edge with black electrical tape.
I put the top back on and tried it. I was amazed just how much cooler the cabin is. An extra benefit is a bit of noise reduction due to the foam backing of the reflective material. From the outside, the change is practically invisible; the reflective material isn’t seen unless you get very close.
The cost to do this was $3.50 for the shield, $1.50 for a piece of hook and loop Velcro and about one hour of time.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Good thinking.
When I received my '88 while on a summer job in Mesa, AZ, the top came off in the morning and stayed off till I returned to the hotel in evening. Even with white wheel & interior and light carpet dash pad it was very "warm" but nothing like being left closed up in the sun.
Since returning to SE NY, I sometimes use windshield screens but mostly stay out of the hot sun...
When I received my '88 while on a summer job in Mesa, AZ, the top came off in the morning and stayed off till I returned to the hotel in evening. Even with white wheel & interior and light carpet dash pad it was very "warm" but nothing like being left closed up in the sun.
Since returning to SE NY, I sometimes use windshield screens but mostly stay out of the hot sun...
Racer
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 349
Likes: 55
When I did a similar job, I ordered one of the big accordion style sun sheilds off of Amazon, then cut it to size with a box cutter, then sewed a new black seam on the outside. I works ok, although the car still gets crazy hot when in the sun.
Last edited by TheBlaster9001; Jun 22, 2018 at 01:33 PM.
