Wrapped glass roof?!?

[acarney]

The glass roof is already tinted from the factory for both privacy AND thermal rejection (unlike the rear side windows that are privacy glass only). I’m not so sure you’ll get much additional rejection from another layer of tint. Of course almost everyone just has “personal experience” comments on that; they know it’s tinted and they know how much it cost them. I would like to see a blinded test of maybe ten people or something get in cars. Some tinted some not, one after another, maybe both times in a non-tinted car etc. I doubt there would be much strong evidence that the tint reduces the feeling of heat on the body. You could also probably test how quickly an object heated up 18” or so below the glass roof (to simulate head and shoulders position).

Still, you probably have so much heat radiating from the physical sheet of glass (that’s absorbing a ton because of that tint) that it’s contributing a decent amount to heat entering the cabin. Tesla official sunshades might mount better and and work overall better for you. People on here seem to be pretty happy with them.

I would at least try that before spending $500+ to tint the roof in one full sheet…

 

[acarney]

Thank everyone for the quick replies. In day to day driving in my area of Southern California, I don't really need anything. I was more concerned about summer road trips. My wife expressed her desire not to obstruct the view if possible (e.g. looking up at the valley walls in Yosemite).

That led me to tinting. However, in California tinting the windshield, except for the top edge in blue, is supposedly illegal. I am also 69 and know I have night vision issues. So if I did get a "tint", I would want one that was clear but blocked UV and infrared if possible.

As others have said, a ~75% or higher tint is damn near clear. You might be able to tell a little if you have the door open and look through the windshield partly and out the door partially. To me you just see a little more contrast or something through the glass. I’m really impressed and they do still cut down a lot (~50% or more thermal rejection). Illegal where I am as well, but I don’t think anyone would notice, unless I was driving like a crazy person and they were LOOKING for other items to tag onto a ticket. Or if I had clearly illegal limo style tint on the front side windows and again they wanted to tag as many items on as they could.

In my limited personal experience with two different brands (Xpel and SunTek) the Xpel was a smidge more crystal clear. The SunTek isn’t bad or cloudy, but looking out the open car door and then windshield you can tell ever so slightly there is a very tiny haze. I would opt for Xpel if I had the chance again on my Model Y (I had it on my 3 that I traded in), because the cost difference isn’t huge* and it would be worth it to me.

*Isn’t huge when doing tint alone… when doing ~$7,000 worth of work on paint correction, paint protection film, and full tint, when I was quoted SunTek and windshield, side windows, AND rear windows total were like $500, to me that was a steal, lol

 

[Exelion]

I did get a "tint", I would want one that was clear but blocked UV and infrared if possible.

That would be 90 tint. 3M Crystalline is offered in that lightness, and so do other competitors. Yes, it does block the UV and infrared but not as much as 70, 80 or any of the darker tints. Still worth doing since the windshield take on so much more sun than any other glass piece, including the roof.

 

[rjpjnk]

I was thinking of wrapping the roof in a mirror finish. Bonus of blinding dicks in brodozers.

Seriously though, a mirror finish outside would probably keep the car a lot cooler because otherwise all those sun rays are getting absorbed by the dark glass which heats it up. Sticky backed aluminum foil would probably keep car sooooo cool

 

[Jigglypuff]

If I can get a mirror roof finish for ~250 bucks, I'll do it and report back. I have a sun visor that is a black mesh. It definitely reduces the heat that reaches me in the cabin, but it doesn't do enough. Our I-Pace blocks the head much more effectively.

 

[Exelion]

If I can get a mirror roof finish for ~250 bucks, I'll do it and report back. I have a sun visor that is a black mesh. It definitely reduces the heat that reaches me in the cabin, but it doesn't do enough. Our I-Pace blocks the head much more effectively.

3m’s color swatches does offer this color, as GC451 (chrome silver). I’m interested in seeing what this looks like on a car roof.

 

[Dennisis]

That shop in AZ that did the roof wrap also does roof tint, but it is expensive and takes a long time. They said you have to keep the car indoors until the tint is finished stabilizing or the water between the tint and the roof actually boils away leaving voids... so you end up with a spotty roof tint. If I had to guess, this is one of the reasons (in addition to the size issue) many tint shops won't do the roof.

Keith

Had my whole car done (tinted) at The Specialists in Tucson last year, roof included - no void/bubbles/crazy expense, came out great. Maybe some places just don't do many and are hesitant or something but no issues here...

Edit: Pic of dirty roof from just now (finally got rain a couple of days ago!!) - no bubbles/voids, and invoice from a year ago at The Specialists.

 

[Schulz1983]

Mine is being tinted on July 6th in chesterfield MO. Will post pictures when finished. It will be 1 piece 20% tint. XPEL +

 

[Itsuo-DC]

I sure wish there was a less permanent way to darken the roof so one could enjoy the view when the sun and heat is not an issue and cover up when it is.

Maybe some sort of removable cover that snaps in place and could be rolled up and stored in the trunk? If done right they could make it classy looking color matched leather/vinyl.

Of course electrochroamatic would be ideal but I assume it is very expensive for a roof that size.

What about some sort of light colored perforated wrap--so you could still generally see though it? Like the advertising wraps over the window of buses, etc? I would be very interested in one of those.

I just ordered this. 2021 Tesla Model Y SUV Windshield Sun Shades, Car Window Shades and Car Window Covers by HeatShield - The Original Windshield Sunshade

I tried to avoid getting it but I leave my car parked outside in the sun most of the time where it really heats up. I used the outdoor cover for my M3 but is too much of a headache to put on the MY. I already have a headshield for the windshield so I'm just going to leave the new roof headsheild in and roll it up for longer trips. Should also help keep the cabin warm in the winter if we ever camp in the car.

 

[rjpjnk]

I like it, but how does the one for the roof stay up I wonder? Do you have this one in your M3?

 

[Itsuo-DC]

I like it, but how does the one for the roof stay up I wonder? Do you have this one in your M3?

I understand it uses suction cups in the corners. I'm not yet sure if it is one or two pieces: I'm hoping for the former. I did not get it for my M3, I just used the outdoor cover all the time. (Which still alowed it to get hot inside but perhaps not as hot as when uncovered.)

 

[Altes]

Did anyone put wrap on glass roof to match car color or wrapped the whole car including glass roof?
I enjoy glass roof, but it the summer it gets a bit hot. Local tint shops talked me out of tinting it since they don’t have roll that is big enough or they are just not comfortable to do a good job tinting it. I looked at at glass roof shades and don’t like that they sag and people had to glue magnets to keep those in place. And that works only when the windows are closed.

Sooo I was thinking if putting wrap on glass roof will make it better. Either match color or put black wrap on roof and pillars.

Please post some photos!

Bring back the alligator vinyl roof!!!!

 

[Pianewman]

Ugh...maybe even a "Landau" roof? or a fake convertible fabric roof?

 

[Joske007]

I wonder.. they do the UV wraps or full color wraps on the outside. But is it as effective if they wrap it on the inside of the car? That way you can still do carwashes ect.

 

[garumaru]

Does anybody have experience with the shade?
Model Y Glass Roof Sunshade

 

[Pianewman]

garumaru: There are several threads about sunroof sunshades, lots of options. Use the search function for immediate info rather than waiting for someone to respond here.