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 tint 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.