Legality of reflective film

[KeithB]

I have a 95 litre fridge that sits on top of the drawers in my 200 series and it can cop a fair bit of sun. I am wondering about betting some reflective film on the tailgate and side windows. Does anyone know whether this is legal in NSW?

[edz]

Dont know about the reflective stuff being legal for tailgates ..Have you given thoughts to the use of perforated mesh vinyl films

[BigJules]

I can't comment on the legality of it, but I've seen plenty of 4WDs with insulation fitted over the rear windows, I'd say go for it. It should not be overly reflective so as not to annoy other drivers, but it will be silver so there will be some reflection from it.

[GGV8Cruza]

http://www.solarscreen.com.au/

GG

[MrCruza]

That solarscreen might be the go. Reflective window tint is illegal in all states.

[tk421]

Going by the rules for tinting - Not according to the RMS if its registered as a Passenger vehicle:
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/standards/vsi-03-rev3.pdf

Reflective or mirror like tinted film is not acceptable as it may dazzle drivers
Passenger vehicles must have at least 35% VLT (Visible Light Transmission) for the rearward windows.
Utes and commercial don't have requirements for VLT on windows rearwards of the driver

But - what if its a temporary fix like the solarscreens?  And if you can load your car to roof height it seems funny that you can't block the rear window.

I'm planning on getting some cheap sunshades from Supercheap or else where and cutting them to fit on my rear side windows on the Prado.

[Davepatrol]

Going by the rules for tinting - Not according to the RMS if its registered as a Passenger vehicle:
http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/standards/vsi-03-rev3.pdf

Reflective or mirror like tinted film is not acceptable as it may dazzle drivers
Passenger vehicles must have at least 35% VLT (Visible Light Transmission) for the rearward windows.
Utes and commercial don't have requirements for VLT on windows rearwards of the driver

But - what if its a temporary fix like the solarscreens?  And if you can load your car to roof height it seems funny that you can't block the rear window.

I'm planning on getting some cheap sunshades from Supercheap or else where and cutting them to fit on my rear side windows on the Prado.

It makes you laugh that it may dazzle drivers  but I can drive this with no problems.

[Hoyks]

It makes you laugh that it may dazzle drivers  but I can drive this with no problems.

The issue is at night when you are in the car and a road train is coming down the road at you with all their lights on.

Ever imagined what it is like to be inside the reflector of a head lamp? Pull up at an intersection, look to the left and all you can see is traffic from the right?

I worked as a window tinter for 7 years and we had a bloke come in to get his vehicle re-done for that exact reason. He got silver tint fitted in Darwin and then drove to Townsville. It looked good and worked really well, but proved totally impractical once the sun went down as all you could see was the reflection of the inside of the vehicle. It was down right dangerous.

I'd go with a metalised window film, it will reflect the heat, but the make up of the laminates won't be overly reflective. Just a tint film will be coloured plastic and doesn't reflect much heat at all.

To also help in the cargo area, go and grab one of those sun screens that look like silver bubble wrap, trim it to fit the window and hold it place with self adhesive velcro spots. It will cost you bugger all and work like a charm.

[D4D]

Just covering the side windows with reflective insulation makes a big difference.

[KeithB]

I called a local tinting company and they mentioned "20 per cent charcoal" saying it would reflect about 60 per cent of the heat.
Maybe go with that and put a space blanket over the fridge. Still want to be able to  see out of the windows day and night.

[BigJules]

Keith, I think you're on the right track just putting a sun shade or cover over your fridge. I live in one of the hottest areas of Sydney, have had fridges in the back of my Cruiser and never had an issue with the fridge keeping up. Does it use more power? Maybe, but I'm not camping so it doesn't matter as I just plug in and recharge.

[geopaj]

I made a set of 'Solarscreen' copies for the rear three (cargo bay) windows.

It's truely amazing how much these make it cooler in summer. Also helps keep thieving eyes off my stuff.

They are just made using cheap ($7 x 2) windscreen shades from Supercheap. I use the ones with one dark coloured side. I put the dark coloured side on the inside to limit internal reflections/glare that may distract the driver.

Outside side window


Inside side window


Inside back window


Back window is attached with suction caps from Clarke Rubber. Side windows I initially used self adhesive Velcro but the adhesive melted during the hot Adelaide summer days so I now just jam them between the window and the trim.

Side window insulation stays in all the time (with 2 child seats I can't see out of them anyway), and the rear one I use just on big trips and in summer.

[tk421]

I made a set of 'Solarscreen' copies for the rear three (cargo bay) windows.

It's truely amazing how much these make it cooler in summer. Also helps keep thieving eyes off my stuff.

They are just made using cheap ($7 x 2) windscreen shades from Supercheap. I use the ones with one dark coloured side. I put the dark coloured side on the inside to limit internal reflections/glare that may distract the driver.

Outside side window


Inside side window


Inside back window


Back window is attached with suction caps from Clarke Rubber. Side windows I initially used self adhesive Velcro but the adhesive melted during the hot Adelaide summer days so I now just jam them between the window and the trim.

Side window insulation stays in all the time (with 2 child seats I can't see out of them anyway), and the rear one I use just on big trips and in summer.

That's exactly what I intend on doing. Though $14 seems a tad expensive... 

[wakychapmans]

That's exactly what I intend on doing. Though $14 seems a tad expensive... 

Autobarn have them from $9

https://www.autobarn.com.au/car-care-touring-accessories/protection-storage/sun-protection/sunshades?limit=all

[scblack]

Or go to Aliexpress for as little as USD1.67 - with free shipping.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Universal-Applied-Foldable-Car-Windshield-Visor-Cover-Block-Front-Rear-Window-Sunshade-Protect-Car-Window-Film/32580506006.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.76.ITbire&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2,searchweb201644_2_505_506_503_504_10032_10020_502_10001_10002_10017_10005_10006_10003_10021_10004_10022_10018_10019,searchweb201560_8,searchweb1451318400_-1,searchweb1451318411_-1&btsid=71c4827e-b484-45ec-9412-6c4ec16be5b1

[tk421]

Autobarn have them from $9

https://www.autobarn.com.au/car-care-touring-accessories/protection-storage/sun-protection/sunshades?limit=all

That was meant to be tongue in cheek.  .   $7 per shade x 2 vs. the solar shade option seems great. Just trying to keep the sun off the fridge.

[markg66]

I've been wanting to make a cover for the top of my camper out of this sun shade reflective material.
Anyone know where to buy it on a roll or even what is it called?

For the price of the sunshades its got to be cheap and it looks easy to sew on a standard sewing machine.

[GGV8Cruza]

I've been wanting to make a cover for the top of my camper out of this sun shade reflective material.
Anyone know where to buy it on a roll or even what is it called?

For the price of the sunshades its got to be cheap and it looks easy to sew on a standard sewing machine.

Heaps of products here

http://m.kingspaninsulation.com.au/air-cell-retroshield.html

GG

[geopaj]

I've been wanting to make a cover for the top of my camper out of this sun shade reflective material.
Anyone know where to buy it on a roll or even what is it called?

For the price of the sunshades its got to be cheap and it looks easy to sew on a standard sewing machine.

I've got one for the camper too

It was made by the manufacturer of my camper (to my specs to retro fit to our camper).

It's one of our best mods - significantly cooler in summer & warmer in winter, PLUS provided additional rain protection and keeps inside dark (not getting woken by the sun at dawn makes it my wife's faverioute mod to the camper)

[Pog]

I made a set of 'Solarscreen' copies for the rear three (cargo bay) windows.

It's truely amazing how much these make it cooler in summer. Also helps keep thieving eyes off my stuff.

They are just made using cheap ($7 x 2) windscreen shades from Supercheap. I use the ones with one dark coloured side. I put the dark coloured side on the inside to limit internal reflections/glare that may distract the driver.

Outside side window


Inside back window


Back window is attached with suction caps from Clarke Rubber. Side windows I initially used self adhesive Velcro but the adhesive melted during the hot Adelaide summer days so I now just jam them between the window and the trim.

Side window insulation stays in all the time (with 2 child seats I can't see out of them anyway), and the rear one I use just on big trips and in summer.

I did this last year to our Prado using the same Shades from Supercheap.

It made a massive difference to the temp in the car, didn't notice it too much when we went to Coffin Bay as the cargo area was completely full + towing (so couldn't see out the back window anyway).

The big difference is if you park up for a few days, then the fridges can stay a lot cooler, without the sun belting them.

[wakychapmans]

I'm going to use the budget reflective sunshades for all the windows on the "half an 80 series camper".

[D4D]

It makes you laugh that it may dazzle drivers  but I can drive this with no problems.

How do you keep that clean!