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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 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.
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.
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.
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.