Window Tinting: what to use?

[IBob]

The summer sun is fierce in NZ, with very high UV counts. I am wanting to tint the Lexan roof panel of my Savannah to reduce both heat and UV. I cannot find anyone locally who has applied tint film to Lexan; they are prepared to do it, but there are concerns about the film cracking or failing due to differential expansion etc.

 

Has anyone here done this, if so, what did they use and how did it perform?

 

Thanks.........

 

 

[onetrack]

IBob, you can purchase tinted Lexan. Why would you bother with applying a tint film to Lexan, with all its attendant problems (bubbling, scratching, clouding) when you can purchase Lexan already tinted?

 

Is it because the roof panel is already in the kit, and has a preformed shape that makes it difficult to purchase in that shape, in tinted form?

 

[/url]https://www.polymerplastics.com/transparents_lexan2.shtml

 

 

[IBob]

Hi onetrack, yes it's part of the kit.

 

I've been doing some reading/searching since posting my question, and using a film seems to be not a good idea...unless someone has come up with a film that works better than the standard domestic/auto ones.

 

Perhaps I need to look into the UV and heat reflecting qualities of tinted Lexan, though I'm pretty sure the price would be prohibitive here.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

Mine has been on the girlfriend for more than 7 years and is as perfect today as it was when I got it done. I went to a car tinting place and asked for the highest quality UV blocking film that was not too dark. I took the overhead to them flat and they applied it. Not a bubble or crease then and still not today..cost me about $70 if I remember correctly. Couldnt tell you what brand though

 

 

[IBob]

You must be the exception that proves the rule, Mark! Everywhere I look on line says the Lexan gases when hot, resulting in bubbles in the film...which would certainly be a PITA.

 

Right now I'm busy looking up sources for tinted Lexan...

 

 

[skippydiesel]

I went down a slightly different path -

 

Auto accessory outlets can supply you, very cheaply, with a perforated "plastic" film (silver one side) that will stick by static to your "Lexan" . I fitted this to my bubble canopy, silver side up, about 3 years ago. Required a bit of trimming to follow the curvature. Excel ant sun protection and still slightly see through, and so far has remained in place. very happy with result & cost.

 

(I purchased my stuff through AutoBarn - from memory about $20.)

 

Follow the fitting directions, especially regarding cleaning your Lexan thoroughly, befor fitting.

 

 

[IBob]

Thanks, skippydiesel. That's an interesting option too!

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

here is a pic of it when it was done 7 years ago..I think it also maybe the quality of the film used and also that it is applied properly

 

 

 

[IBob]

It certainly looks good. It seems to me that if the Lexan does gas, there will be bubbles regardless of the quality of the film and it's application. Maybe the gassing depends on how long since the Lexan was manufactured....perhaps...???

 

And to change the subject just for a moment: I thought it went on after the wings...though I see it's not fastened at the front...?

 

 

[danny_galaga]

I went down a slightly different path -

 

Auto accessory outlets can supply you, very cheaply, with a perforated "plastic" film (silver one side) that will stick by static to your "Lexan" . I fitted this to my bubble canopy, silver side up, about 3 years ago. Required a bit of trimming to follow the curvature. Excel ant sun protection and still slightly see through, and so far has remained in place. very happy with result & cost.

 

(I purchased my stuff through AutoBarn - from memory about $20.)

 

Follow the fitting directions, especially regarding cleaning your Lexan thoroughly, befor fitting.

Do you remember what it was called? What would I ask for?

 

 

[planesmaker]

As a window tinter I have done tinting on lexan many times, lasts a little while but will bubble if left in the sun for long periods, lexan exudes a gas which will bubble the tint. I only used highest quality tint. I don’t recommend you tint it. The static stuff could be good though. You may be able to get static tint, then when it goes just pull it off and refit.

 

 

[IBob]

(So, it's becoming increasingly clear that Mark has a special arrangement with Whoever Is Running The Universe...............)

 

planesmaker, what do you mean by 'the static stuff: is this the stuff with the holes in that skippydiesel mentioned???

 

 

[skippydiesel]

Do you remember what it was called? What would I ask for?

 

$15 AU from AutoBarn but I am sure most half decent auto accessories will have/be able to get, it

 

 

[IBob]

So, now I'm trying to determine what sort of Lexan is in the Savannah kit.

 

The printed protective layer on the sheet has lots of stuff in multiple languages, but appears to be just a standard generic thing, and not specific to the Lexan type.

 

However, printed up one side is ' 1.50MM (I think X 1250 X 2050 SABIC-IP SPECIALTY................' and here it runs off the edge of the sheet. And this is the only sheet I have with the printing still on it.

 

Guess I'll go through the rubbish bin, see if I can find the discarded protective layer from the windscreen. In the meantime, if anyone with a Savannah kit is able to look at their Lexan and pick up the rest of the printing, I'd appreciate that.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[IBob]

...and that should have read "' 1.50MM (I think, the 1. is off the edge) X 1250 X 2050 SABIC-IP SPECIALTY................'

 

 

[IBob]

And having gone through the bin, I have:

 

(D) LOT: 2N2737 9030TGB 112 1.50MM X 1250 X 2050 SABIC-IP SPECIALTY.....and here it falls off the edge, so there may be more...

 

Anyone???

 

 

[skippydiesel]

Static Film for $15 - how good is that?? (The AutBarn product comes in a choice of silver or black) Easy to install (follow the directions exactly) and if you dont like it,just peel it off and its gone without much cost or effort. Cant go wrong

 

 

[IBob]

Yep, that's looking to be a good option, skippydiesel.

 

I made a few phone calls this morning and the rabbit hole just keeps getting deeper................

 

 

[Downunder]

I use 3 of these Slap On Sun Visor (Extra Large)

 

But I do like the idea of the perforated stuff....

 

A skippy said, so cheap to try....and probably better sun protection.

 

I still feel the sun burning through the tinted stuff.

 

 

[planesmaker]

Static stuff could be perforated but there may be other non perforated tint available, you would have to make enquiries.

 

 

[onetrack]

SABIC is the manufacturer of the Lexan, they have a comprehensive website, and they also supply a Solar Control (Lexan) Sheet, which controls (reduces) UV light, without affecting the level of light transmission.

 

[/url]https://sfs.sabic.eu/product/lexan-solid-sheet/

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

My aircraft is always hangared so doesnt spend long periods out in the sun. Maybe this is why it is still pristine and no bubbles. I think if your aircraft is hangared then it wont be a issue to tint it

 

 

[IBob]

SABIC is the manufacturer of the Lexan, they have a comprehensive website, and they also supply a Solar Control (Lexan) Sheet, which controls (reduces) UV light, without affecting the level of light transmission.

 

[/url]https://sfs.sabic.eu/product/lexan-solid-sheet/

Absolutely. The problem is that only a very small selection of their comprehensive range is imported here....

 

 

[fly_tornado]

I tried finding tinted poly-carbonate in Brisbane and the thinnest stuff I could find was 3mm, which was too thick.

 

 

[IBob]

Update on all the above:

 

My Lexan is 1.5mm 9030TG, which is just the standard stuff, TG being thin gauge.

 

Lexan do not make a 1.5mm UV treated polycarbonate, so far as I can tell.

 

However, in NZ, Mulford Plastics do.

 

Price per 1200 X 2400 sheet is $135.10 + GST