Car sun shades
There are different types of sunshades available for your car. Of course, the purpose is to prevent that the bright sunbeams get into your car.
Sunshades ensure that you and your passengers suffer as less as possible from
the sun. Sun blinds also help keep the car cool. Adding sun blinds to your car
windows may give your car also a pretty tough look.
Types of car sunshade
The most popular car blinds are folding sunshades , which are also known
as pop-up sunshades. These are round circular shaped blinds that you press to
the car window using suction cup-mechanism and can simply be pulled off again.
In addition to the darker neutral looking, also colourful
Disney sunshades are available at Winparts. A disadvantage of this type of sunshades is that
these need to be pulled off if you want to open the window.
Another solution to prevent against the heat in your car is by using an aluminium front windscreen sunshade . You can place the aluminium sun blocking
sunshade on the outside, over the front windscreen if your car is parked in the
sun. This sunshade ensures that the sun is blocked and the heat stays out.
Suffering from bright sunlight and glints in your eyes while driving? Then you
can purchase a see-through sun visor. These also help against bright car lights
while driving in the dark. You can easily mount a see-through sun visor on the
sun visor that is already in your car. For a more permanent solution, you can
also opt for a strip of window foil or sun filters.
Sun visor strip
A sun filter, also known as windscreen sun visor strip , is an adhesive foil
that you stick on top of the front windscreen of your car. A sun visor strip is
very useful when the sun appears lower in the sky. For example, early in the
morning or during the winter. A sun filter can of course also be used for
styling or tuning purposes, to create a tough look. With Winparts you can
choose from window sun visor strip in a single colour, but also from cool
filters with text or image. You can easily stick a sun filter on the front
windscreen thanks to the self-adhesive properties. Keep in mind though that
your wiper blades do not touch this visor strip. If they do touch each other,
it won't take long before both the wiper blades and the window sun visor strip
breaks.
Window tint
Sun foil
or
window film is often used for styling or tuning purposes, to create a tough
look. Additionally, it also provides a different function. It ensures that the
bright sun does not shine in the car and thus prevents your interior from
discolouring. You can purchase rolls of window tint at Winparts. You can then
easily cut the foil into the right size with a knife or scissors. The window
tint is self-adhesive and is easy to assemble and pull off. However, we
recommend that you only place window tint on the rear windows and the rear side
windows. Why? Please read below more on legislation.
Legislation sun shades for your car
There are some rules when it comes to sun shades for your car. Don’t just place
car sun shades on the windows, your vehicle needs to meet (European, and at
least UK) mandatory requirements. This is especially applicable to the front
windows. There are no rules for tinting the rear windows. The degree for
tinting front windscreens and front side windows depend on when the vehicle was
first used. Vehicles first used on 1 April 1985 or later, the front windscreen
must let at least 75% of light through and the front side windows must let at
least 70% of light through. Vehicles first used before 1 April 1985 the front
windscreen and front side windows must both let at least 70% of light through.
If your car doesn’t comply you might get a ‘prohibition notice’ stopping you
from using your vehicle until you have the extra tint removed, a penalty notice
or court summons.
Also, be aware that these rules might be different from other European countries.
Countries on the continent and member of the EU, need to comply to European
directives. The European directive on the matter state that the light
transmittance of the front and side windows of the car must be at least 55%.
During a possible check, the police place a gauge on both sides of the car
window. These gauges ´see each other through the glass´ and measure how much
light is being transmitted. A light transmittance lower than 55% can result in
a fine and confiscation of your driver’s license. For the rear windows, the
light transmittance may be lower (<55%). For advice, you can always approach
a car styling company or MOT testing company.
Buying car sunshades
As explained
above, we at Winparts offer different kinds of sun shades for your car. In
addition to the standard folding sun shades that are mounted with suction cups,
you can also opt for roller sun shades or sun shades curtains. The installation
of these curtains is also very easy. Another more permanent option is the use
of window film or sun strips. These are self-adhesive products that you can
attach to your car windows. All of these products are universal and applicable
to any car. If you want customized sun protection, you can also opt for
privacy shades , which can also be ordered at Winparts.
