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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 12:40 PM
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Default Transparent top

Do any of you with transparent tops find it necessary find it necessary to use a cover to keep the heat out? And if so what would you recommend? Thanks.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 01:00 PM
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Go to eBay to find cover. But I have never had a issue and I live in Texas. It seems to be tinted enough to fight heat.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by HogwildC7
Go to eBay to find cover. But I have never had a issue and I live in Texas. It seems to be tinted enough to fight heat.
Glad to hear that. Thanks.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 01:29 PM
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I had the transparent top on my C5 and I was sure I did not want another one, I kept the liner on the inside all the time due to heat. My C7 has the painted top and I like it.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 01:38 PM
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I have a 2014 C7 with both painted and transparent tops. I live in Florida and have not found the need for a liner with the transparent top.

Last edited by billsblue73; Jan 10, 2016 at 01:39 PM.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 02:33 PM
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I've used the "Static Cling" black dot matrix liner on a previous C6 and it worked quite well...... at least in the Mid Atlantic. If you are in AZ, or Nevada you might want to consider a solid liner type.

We just ordered a new C7 with transparent top, and this is on my list to still buy for the car. Ebay is the least expensive supplier I've found at the moment.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 02:59 PM
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100 miles north of Houston here, no need for a cover for the transparent top IMHO
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 03:10 PM
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I had a C5 with the transparent top and thought that the inside of the car heated up a bit much, so I had an upholstery shop make a top for me, matched my parchment interior, kept the interior light and was a perfect fit. Held up by Velcro strips, cost me a couple of hundred, If I had the transparent top on my '15 I would do the same thing.

Last edited by rcooper; Jan 10, 2016 at 03:11 PM.
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Old Jan 10, 2016 | 03:16 PM
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I live in NY so I bet my Trans top will be OK based on your imput
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by joemessman
Do any of you with transparent tops find it necessary find it necessary to use a cover to keep the heat out? And if so what would you recommend? Thanks.
I wouldn't think where you are you'd need one. I'm in n central TX and don't use one.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 10:04 AM
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Just get it tinted to 5%. problem solved.


Not that I got the plexi top. I just didn't like the blue eyeglasses tint... It looked weird to me...
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 10:21 AM
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Originally Posted by rrsperry
Just get it tinted to 5%. problem solved.


Not that I got the plexi top. I just didn't like the blue eyeglasses tint... It looked weird to me...
We were originally dead set on getting the painted top, UNTIL we saw the transparent top on a Laguna Blue at a local dealer. With the Black A Pillars it just looked a lot better to me keeping it all dark on top.

We've had plenty of transparent tops on previous C4, C5 and several C6 Vettes and it wasn't till more recent ( BALDING ) years that I noticed the sun / heat on my thinning hair
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by MikeyTX
I wouldn't think where you are you'd need one. I'm in n central TX and don't use one.
Thanks and you are probably right. But in the summer here you would be surprised. Last summer we had about seventy or so days at ninety and above! But I know how Texas is and if you don't find a need for one I can't imagine I would.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 11:02 AM
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not on a corvette but i had the "glass top" on a del sol. the guy that did tops for c5's also did one for a del sol. once i installed it holy cow, it got hot. the car was my winter beater when i was in school, and it was left outside, the interior got to 120-130* easy. if the car had leather seats i'm sure it would leave a burn. on the plus side. it was nice to have all the extra light in the winter.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Red Rochester
I live in NY so I bet my Trans top will be OK based on your imput
live 120 miles east of Roch. my trans top is fine as far as heat goes ...

just wish i could have gotten the solid roof that comes standard ...but constaints prevented that, just another moeny grabbing ploy of GM..

Retail for trans top $995,,,,where does the standard roof go ...just disappears ....what a rip !
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Formula52
I have been trying to get that for a year now. It is always on back order... I gave up....
Good to know.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 04:17 PM
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I just ordered another from RPI...will see how this goes....
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Formula52
I have been trying to get that for a year now. It is always on back order... I gave up....
RPI Designs has one that is not on backorder, its $40. more I believe than the one that is always on backorder but its a lot better construction and thicker as well. I am in AZ and use it if I am going to be out and park my car outdoors for longer than an hour in the summer heat.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 06:37 PM
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I have both tops. Tested the heat transfer on a 95 degree day during the summer. Put the painted top on and left it in the sun for two hours. Then put the transparent top on and let it bake for 2.5 hours. The interior, measured by an accurate thermometer in the same spot in the interior, was 2 degrees warmer with the transparent top (but it baked for 1/2 hour longer too - had some stuff to get done and didn't get to it right at the two hour mark). Short story: no real difference, and I never use the painted top. Hope this helps.

Last edited by Hopper12; Jan 11, 2016 at 06:38 PM.
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Old Jan 11, 2016 | 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Hopper12
I have both tops. Tested the heat transfer on a 95 degree day during the summer. Put the painted top on and left it in the sun for two hours. Then put the transparent top on and let it bake for 2.5 hours. The interior, measured by an accurate thermometer in the same spot in the interior, was 2 degrees warmer with the transparent top (but it baked for 1/2 hour longer too - had some stuff to get done and didn't get to it right at the two hour mark). Short story: no real difference, and I never use the painted top. Hope this helps.
I don't doubt your numbers. But come April or so in AZ the sun radiation itself becomes uncomfortable while driving and a barrier is needed for that purpose. I had both tops with my '99.
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