How can I cover roof windows on MC7?

oldmansax · June 13, 2007, 09:35:12 AM

I am looking for ideas. My MC7 has some kind of hard black plastic where the roof windows (over the driver) were. I am assuming they were originally glass, got broken, and someone replaced them with the plastic. When the sun shines on them they are HOT!! Burn your hand hot! I have already insulated them inside & that helped a lot but I would like to put something outside to reflect the heat. I like the black color because it looks like dark tinted glass. The ideal thing would be to paint them with KoolSeal but that would look terrible. I am thinking about something that looks like a mirror but I don't know what I could find to withstand the weather and 70MPH wind or how to apply it it I did. They are not square and curved as well.

Ideas? Suggestions? Grin & bear it?

TOM

Dallas · June 13, 2007, 10:36:43 AM

Tom,
How about applying some rflective limotint to the inside? I used some Dark Limotint on the inside of our windows and it cut the temperature considerably. It takes a little practice to get it done right, but the learning curve isn't steep.
The alternative is to have the local window tinting guys do it.

Just a thought!

Dallas

oldmansax · June 13, 2007, 04:01:56 PM

Dallas,

The black plastic is opaque. I really don't know how or where they found this stuff. It appears to be the same thickness as the original glass. They used the same gaskets. It looks like someone took a flat sheet of thick black plastic, cut it to the correct shape & curved it so it would fit. I tried scoring a tiny edge just to see what it was made of. It is not brittle but more like real thick rubber floor tile.

Ednj · June 13, 2007, 04:09:22 PM

Sounds like it's most likely Lexan.
Can you make a heat shiels on the outside ? Kind of like the roof on a Saudi.
Bring it over to the Delaware rally and we'will take a look.

Dallas · June 13, 2007, 04:17:35 PM

Tom,
I'm not sure what that stuff is either, probably something the PO picked up at an undisclosed place!

What about cutting aluminum flashing into the appropriate shape and applying it with a good mastic? Then you could polish the aluminum and coat it with a clearcoat.

Or, to make a bit different look, use a sheet of copper or bronze.

Then there's always using brushed stainless steel! I just happen to have a chunk about 8' long by 1' wide. It's the shelf out of some restaraunt that a previous camper left. Good and heavy, and the best part, it's free! You just have to figure out to get it.

Dallas

phil4501 · June 13, 2007, 06:03:39 PM

solar cool grey tempered glass gets my vote. black on the inside, very reflective on the outside. It can be orderedas a non vision panel if you want to pay about 30.00 more but you can also just paint it.

Phil zisakis

prevost82 · June 13, 2007, 06:56:55 PM

Remove the window gasket, grind the edge of the fiberglass cap, tape the window inplace from the inside and fiberglass in into the cap. Finish off with bondo and paint.

Jerry Liebler · June 13, 2007, 07:03:26 PM

I'd try glueing aluminum foil to the OUTSIDE then spray painting (black) the aluminum foil. I'd suggest 3M's universal spray adhesive, which you can get at most auto parts stores. I used this glue for my headliner and it really sticks. Even painted black the aluminum foil will reflect lots of heat.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

Dreamscape · June 13, 2007, 07:44:28 PM

I tend to agree with Prevost82. Then you could insulate from the inside and paint whatever color you want. Black only attracts heat, lighter colors better for reflection of the sun. They do make a plastic sheet with a mirror look, don't know if it would bend to fit though. You could glue that over what you have. HTH.

Happy Trails and Good Luck,

Paul

Dreamscape

tekebird · June 13, 2007, 08:18:32 PM

Tom, Not sure what they used as a replacemnt...could have been something available when the 7's were still in service.

Most had the Astrolite windows (GM Term) replaced with Fiberglass panels at some point.....either after breakage, or as a greenhouse effect fighter.

Problem is as you know.....is the compound curve in the glass which makes it practically impossible to make out of anything clear or tinted.

if you think the stuff in there will hold it's shape when removed.......take it out carefully as I am sure the gasket is no longer available........and make a mold out of fiberglass.......then lay yourself up some replacements

vaunter · June 24, 2007, 04:44:20 PM

origonal 7s came with glass
ppl were complaining they were getting sunburnt and blinded from the sun
mci replaced glass with a plastic/fiberglass replacement
both my 7s have it and so doeas a buddys
we all used snow white on the roof and it helped a tun
it allso sealed the water leeks around the old gasket