Hi Jim,
I found the mirror film at Pep Boys...likely other auto stores and J.C.
Whitney (mail order) have it.
98-99% of the sun's heat is bounced right back out of the plane on the
same wave length it came
in without being absorbed (like the dark tints do).
The reason planes and cars get hotter inside than the ambient
temperature is the "greenhouse
effect" where the sun's energy comes through the glass on a wave length
that can pass through
it and is then absorbed by the interior. The temperature of the
interior rises enough for energy to
radiate back, but that energy is on a wave length that cannot go
through the glass and so the
temperature continues to rise until heat loss through the surrounding
car or plane itself is equal
to the energy coming in from the sun.
I cut the stuff to desired dimension dry. To apply, you place the
Plexi panel, inside up, on a soft
cloth, flood it with water and gently lay the film (or strip of film)
on top. Until you squeegee it you
reposition a bit. If it quits moving before you get it right, flood
again, peel it off, and try again.
On the other hand, trying to apply this stuff to the inside of a car
hatchback while that part is
mounted on the car is not an endeavor I can recommend to persons who
wish to avoid profanity.
It will not conform to even the slightest compound curve without being
slit and overlapped, and
I would propose for sainthood anyone that can do that with professional
(no bubbles) results.
I believe the reluctance of the auto tint shops to work with plastic is
that they want to be able to
slice it in place to fit without leaving telltale scratches. If you
can convince them why what you
want done is both possible and relatively easy they may be willing to
work with you.
Regards,
WRB
--
On Aug 3, 2009, at 15:03, Jim Truxel wrote:
We just put the overhead center section in and I bought some dark tint
at WalMart that we installed. Works great and cuts the sun glare.
Still have some bubbles on the tint but that gives me something to do
after a flight. With the windows open and the center section n place
still ge tplenty of air and less sun and glare.
Been calling several auto tint shops but they will tint glass but not
plastic.
While at the Convention this June a member of EOC told me to do that
and so far I have had no luck finding a shop that would tint plastic.
Jim
N3439H
FDK
----- Original Message -----
From: William R. Bayne
To: Techlist Ercoupe
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 2:27 PM
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Re: Mods and LSA / windows
Hi Nick,
Coupes with original (long) sidescreens) DO pull up "all the way and
meet in the middle".
Later, ERCO offered a "Sunshade Assembly - Cabin", see Ercoupe Parts
Catalog, FIG. 24, p. 38. I believe it was tinted plastic, but I have
seen metal ones. Some owners who use this "third panel" on a
permanent basis (I am one) shorten the side panels to save weight,
with no functional reason to haul the extra plastic around.
Disclaimer-may not be "legal" ;<) to do so.
Personally I prefer a panel I can see thru, but that totally stops
the head and ultraviolet. For this purpose, I advocate application of
the mirror film on the inside in fore-aft overlapping strips of about
4" width (not critical). This allows for the change in curvature when
sliding the center panel down on one side for entry and exit as well
as for the inevitable shrinkage of the film strip width over time
which otherwise would allow unprotected gaps if the strips were
perfectly butted when originally installed.
The only time I do not have the canopy fully closed is when I am
taking pictures or when ventilation is desired. For the latter I far
prefer the wind "pattern" in the cockpit with a 1-2" gap on each side
to that with a 2-4" single gap in the middle (which has sucked a full
size sectional map out of my hands quite unexpectedly ;<)
Regards,
William R. Bayne
.____|-(o)-|____.
(Copyright 2009)
--
On Aug 3, 2009, at 12:31, Nick King wrote:
On some coupes I see what looks like a top to the cockpit.I actually
have never pulled my side glasses up.Do they go all the way and meet
in the middle or is there a center piece? I'm actually a little
embarrased to ask , but I always fly open cockpit.
