Heat blocking window film

[BMH]

Has anyone tried the "Crystalline" window film from 3m on the windshield and side windows?

It has almost no tint so could be used on the windshield.
They say it blocks half of the heat from the sun, my thought is that it would help with the AC need but would like to see what others think.

This is what I am referring to if you are unfamiliar with it. https://youtu.be/OIM3zvtKTqs

[lvmci]

I've been interested in the nano ceramic clear and tinted interior window film, for it's heat block effect, lvmci...

[jcussen]

Did try the 3M chrystaline  on my front windshield  a couple of years ago. Dash air still could not cool front of coach when driving into the sun, but my ir gun did indicate dash temp was about 30 f. cooler than before installing the film. Not cheap, about $325 for windshield then.
Not the best when using polarizing sunglasses.

[eagle19952]

over $700.00 for a current full size car, think Impala, I am told.

[lvmci]

My friend got it on his little mini Cooper windshield and it made a difference in the Las Vegas sun...

[Mike in GA]

I have use the standard 18 or 24 inch limo tint from Walmart for the past 10 years. I got the darkest tint available and bring it down to just above my line of sight from the driver's seat. I think it materially decreases the amount of front cabin heat when driving south or west. Your mileage may vary.
Mike in Georgia

[buswarrior]

The heat has to go somewhere...

Glass applications like tint, end up absorbing a bunch of the sunshine energy that used to pass thru the glass and onto interior pieces.

And that makes the glass a big radiator, still putting heat into the coach.

For parking/camping, exterior sun shades do a better job, as they keep the heat outside.

Won't help on the move...

Throw your tint money into the HVAC budget and get more BTU?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[BMH]

Jcussen,
Interesting results, at 30 degree difference on the meter you would expect "felt" differences as well.
I normally wear polarized shades, tell me more, does it just block everything?

Buswarrior,
That is why I was asking about the specific films, my research says that there are 3 types of tint,
Cheap dyed tint does very little to slow the heat.
Heat absorbing tint would heat up the class (and could break doubble pane) and then radiate both inside and outside of the bus.
And heat rejection films (think mirror) that actually reject a large amount of the energy from the sun, I posted a link in the OP but that was a sales pitch so YMWV.

I realize I can just bulk up the AC, the whole reason I was asking is that I DON'T want to have massive AC that requires massive power, I would much rather add insulation, paint color and film and instead of AC BTUs, heat BTUs and generator.

[jcussen]

Yes you could feel the difference, not sure $325 worth. Still, a good upgrade if your ac is marginal like mine was. Not sure why, but with polarized sunglasses, got that rainbow effect and a little bit of distortation when looking out at an angle. Most dealers have a sample you can take outside and look at with your own sunglasses on.

[windtrader]

I'm so cheap. How about taking aluminum foil and gluing to top of windshield with 3M spray contact like Super 77? That'll keep all the heat off and provide needed shading.

[Iceni John]

I'm so cheap. How about taking aluminum foil and gluing to top of windshield with 3M spray contact like Super 77? That'll keep all the heat off and provide needed shading.

Nah.   It will then look like those chicken buses in Guatemala or thereabouts, or those lunatic Pakistani trucks with doodads and trinkets all over them.   Heck, even the Mexicans don't stick cooking foil on their old Dinas and MASAs.

John

[windtrader]

OK, I'm no scientist but aluminum foil should act as a reflector and the exterior surface could be covered with cloth or something that will still allow the heat to be reflected back out and remain civilized, right?

[buswarrior]

Put that aluminum foil on the outside, and you'll have something!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[chessie4905]

Or use 1" polyurethane foam board. ...