Solution for keeping interior cool in parked car ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 331
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From: Columbia South Carolina
Solution for keeping interior cool in parked car ?
I'm currently looking for the best solution for keeping my interior cool and protect it from the sun since I live in SC it can be a problem.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I'm currently looking for the best solution for keeping my interior cool and protect it from the sun since I live in SC it can be a problem.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
Max tint on the side windows for sure - - but many states prohibit tint on the windshield - - - you don't want to limit your night time visibility so check your state laws.
I've looked at those types of exterior covers, but have always been concerned that someone else with a Vette might like to take mine home with them !
Same issues here in AZ - - tough this time of year.
I've looked at those types of exterior covers, but have always been concerned that someone else with a Vette might like to take mine home with them !
Same issues here in AZ - - tough this time of year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,826
Likes: 181
From: Pueblo, CO
I'm currently looking for the best solution for keeping my interior cool and protect it from the sun since I live in SC it can be a problem.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
So, I ordered a cockpit cover from California Pop Tops. It should be here in a day or so and I can let you know how well it works.
See: http://www.capoptop.com/
I like that they're made from Tyvek, which is a very lightweight, breathable synthetic fabric. I ordered mine in Arctic White.
Here's a pic of the cover for a C6, which is similar to the C5.
Last edited by DanSavage; Aug 27, 2013 at 02:27 PM.
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I believe windshield tint is illegal in all states, however I know a few guys who tinted the sides/rear windows to legal limit and then tinted the windshield with a UV reflective film that has very little tint and is hardly recognizable compared to the other windows.
Apparently, it does not reduce night visibility and it helps keep the heat out.
Apparently, it does not reduce night visibility and it helps keep the heat out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Columbia South Carolina
I, too, park mine outside. I made a custom windshield shade from white cardboard and while it works okay, the sunlight still comes in the side and back windows and the outside of the roof.
So, I ordered a cockpit cover from California Pop Tops. It should be here in a day or so and I can let you know how well it works.
See: http://www.capoptop.com/
I like that they're made from Tyvek, which is a very lightweight, breathable synthetic fabric. I ordered mine in Arctic White.
Here's a pic of the cover for a C6, which is similar to the C5.
So, I ordered a cockpit cover from California Pop Tops. It should be here in a day or so and I can let you know how well it works.
See: http://www.capoptop.com/
I like that they're made from Tyvek, which is a very lightweight, breathable synthetic fabric. I ordered mine in Arctic White.
Here's a pic of the cover for a C6, which is similar to the C5.
That was the one I saw the first time I looked.
Defiantly let me know how you like it.
Only thing I worry about is getting lazy and stop using it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 331
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From: Columbia South Carolina
I'm going to look into a tint I just keep reading about complaints with bad tint jobs on corvettes.
I plan to eventually get my dash wrapped in leather so I know it will be important to keep the sun off of it.
I plan to eventually get my dash wrapped in leather so I know it will be important to keep the sun off of it.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
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From: Pueblo, CO
I have a digital IR thermometer. For the fun of it, I'll measure the interior temp without a sunshade, with my white cardboard windshield shade, and then with the CalPopTop cover.
I don't plan to use it everywhere I go. But, it'll definitely be under the cover when the car is parked while I'm working or on the weekends when I'm not driving it.
I'm pretty religious about using the windshield shade. I got into the habit years ago as a way to protect the dashboard and keep it from cracking. So, I expect that I'll be good about using this cover, too.
Last edited by DanSavage; Aug 27, 2013 at 03:17 PM.
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I bought my windshield sun shade from either Ecklers or Mid-America and it is a thick, foldable one that has the C5 emblem on it. Works very well to completely cover the windshield and keep the heat down. Of course, some good tint on the sides and back windows would help a lot.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Redondo Beach CA
I am also using Tyveck, but in a baggy, semi fitted, full size cover, in conjunction with a fitted cover underneath. Car also has full tint on three sides, nice on a triple black car.
Kind of a happy accident. The white Tyveck came with the car stowed, forgotten, in the trunk, but I needed a fitted cover for better protection.
The white cover is now protecting the good cover, and the loop in the back that used to attach to a wind up case is now hooked around my Magniflow exhaust tips when needed. Because the top cover is so loose, it billows in the breeze, creating additional cooling while still riding in place, hooked on the pipes and the front wraparound.
I hope that explains it. Not very interesting, but I thought it worth mentioning. I get a white cover to reflect the sun, with shade and a mild breeze across the grey fitted cover. They are both rolled out and attached as one.
Probably not much more labor than the cockpit shade. I hook one mirror pocket , then go across to the other and then unroll towards both ends. Done.
Kind of a happy accident. The white Tyveck came with the car stowed, forgotten, in the trunk, but I needed a fitted cover for better protection.
The white cover is now protecting the good cover, and the loop in the back that used to attach to a wind up case is now hooked around my Magniflow exhaust tips when needed. Because the top cover is so loose, it billows in the breeze, creating additional cooling while still riding in place, hooked on the pipes and the front wraparound.
I hope that explains it. Not very interesting, but I thought it worth mentioning. I get a white cover to reflect the sun, with shade and a mild breeze across the grey fitted cover. They are both rolled out and attached as one.
Probably not much more labor than the cockpit shade. I hook one mirror pocket , then go across to the other and then unroll towards both ends. Done.
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When mine lived outside I always covered it with a premium cover. Bad thing is it was still hotter than a **** inside. You'll get better cooling from a tree. If its at home and no garage or other toys in the garage you can get a free standing carport for $695. around here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
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From: Pueblo, CO
When mine lived outside I always covered it with a premium cover. Bad thing is it was still hotter than a **** inside. You'll get better cooling from a tree. If its at home and no garage or other toys in the garage you can get a free standing carport for $695. around here.
The best shade comes from trees. They're built to absorb as much of the sun's rays as they can. The only problem with trees is dripping sap and dripping bird, er, um, ...stuff. 
Second best is a well-insulated garage.
I have the garage, and had plans to park mine inside the garage, but unfortunately I discovered too late that the driveway is too steep on the side of the garage that's long enough for the car. So, unless I want to move 3 other cars out of the driveway to get mine out of the garage, I'm stuck outside.
The neighborhood in which I live isn't really conducive to a free-standing car-port, but that is a good option for those who are able to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
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From: Pueblo, CO
My CalPopTop came in yesterday, so today is the first day I'm using it.
I'll know later on this afternoon how cool it's keeping the inside of the car.
Since the cover is designed for all models (coupe/frc/`vert) it covers the trunk lid, so no excess heat will enter the cockpit from there.
I'll know how well it works by how cool the cockpit stays and how cool the front of the metal roof frame is. Even though that part is inside the car, it always gets blazing hot by the afternoon.
I'll know later on this afternoon how cool it's keeping the inside of the car.
Since the cover is designed for all models (coupe/frc/`vert) it covers the trunk lid, so no excess heat will enter the cockpit from there.
I'll know how well it works by how cool the cockpit stays and how cool the front of the metal roof frame is. Even though that part is inside the car, it always gets blazing hot by the afternoon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
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From: Delaware
I'm currently looking for the best solution for keeping my interior cool and protect it from the sun since I live in SC it can be a problem.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
I've had shades for the windshield in the past but always have trouble getting one the right size.
I saw this online does anybody else have something like this I saw one a little nicer that clips on to the side mirrors.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
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Le Mans Master
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From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,826
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From: Pueblo, CO
The temp outside was ~95 degrees. The car sat outside in the direct sunlight from 9am to 5pm.
I checked the temperature of the trunk lid, rear window and driver's side mirror periodically throughout the day and everything under the cover was noticeably cooler than what was exposed to the sunlight.
At the end of the day, I pulled the cover off and got in, the roof's metal frame and roof locking handles were cool to the touch instead of being blazing hot. The whole interior including the inside of the trunk was equally cool.
I didn't take my IR thermometer with me today, so I can't say exactly what temperature everything was, but if I were to hazard a guess, I would say it was in the low to mid 70s.
I'll take a couple of pics of how the cover is put onto the car tomorrow and post them here. It's a little different from what their video shows.
I'll also take my thermometer with me tomorrow so I can get accurate measurements of how cool everything stays under the cover vs. what's exposed to the direct sunlight.
But, this one-day test showed me that it works as advertised and I'll be using it every day from now on. Not only does it keep the car cooler, but it will keep the interior in nicer condition than a windshield sunshade alone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
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From: Pueblo, CO
Here's a couple of pics showing what how the CalPopTop attaches to the trunk/hatch lid.
Like I said, it's different from what their installation video shows. Other than this, it's the same as what's seen in the video.
Like I said, it's different from what their installation video shows. Other than this, it's the same as what's seen in the video.