My fix for the sun visors

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by priusgto, Apr 17, 2016.

Page 1 of 3
  1. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2010
    194
    229
    0
    Location:
    Northern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Couldn't take one more day with the tiny useless sun visors and had no luck finding a decent extender so I decided to make my own. I made a wood template the same shape and size of the visors then molded a sheet of ABS plastic around it. This one should last the life of the car.

    DSC01142.JPG DSC01145.JPG DSC01146.JPG DSC01147.JPG DSC01148.JPG
     
    #1 priusgto, Apr 17, 2016
    CoolPrius, bunnydoo, Mrcode79 and 16 others like this.
  2. glennonrp

    glennonrp Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2016
    178
    199
    0
    Location:
    Fontana, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I'm glad the visors don't bother me that much. A little. But not as much as they bothered you! :) I think if these were color matched to the visor then you could sell these. I might even buy a couple.
     
    #2 glennonrp, Apr 17, 2016
  3. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2010
    194
    229
    0
    Location:
    Northern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So far I've found ABS in black and white. The black looks great with the black interior. As for bothering me, these are the worst of any vehicle I have owned. I suppose if I were shorter than 5' 9, and sat closer to the steering wheel they would be adequate but as it is these are terrible in the Arizona sun.
     
    #3 priusgto, Apr 17, 2016
    RCO, ETP and glennonrp like this.
  4. glennonrp

    glennonrp Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2016
    178
    199
    0
    Location:
    Fontana, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I'm 5'7"! Maybe that explains it. I have the moonstone. So, both would stand out too much for my tastes.

    I'm not hating on your work. It's impressive that you managed to make them look like something you could buy. If they were the right color and were made so that they wouldn't mar the visors or head liner then I bet you sell them.
     
    #4 glennonrp, Apr 17, 2016
    priusgto likes this.
  5. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    628
    552
    0
    Location:
    Ma, USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    Three
    #5 I'mJp, Apr 18, 2016
  6. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2010
    194
    229
    0
    Location:
    Northern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Amazon.
     
    #6 priusgto, Apr 18, 2016
    I'mJp likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,456
    50,202
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    brilliant! absolute genius, well done!(y)
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 18, 2016
    priusgto likes this.
  8. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    628
    552
    0
    Location:
    Ma, USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    Three
    What was the abs plastic sheet thickness ? Whats your recommended thickness ?

    jp
     
    #8 I'mJp, Apr 19, 2016
  9. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    1,416
    398
    0
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Nice work .... but the better solution is flat visor extensions held in place by a rubberband/ponytail band for tilting/swiveling. It is THE most perfect solution for driving directly in to the sun and low sunsets, etc. I used black cardboard. Matching plastic would be even better.
     
    #9 kenoarto, Apr 19, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2016
  10. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2010
    194
    229
    0
    Location:
    Northern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I used 3/32" material and it worked well. 1/16" would work well also.
     
    #10 priusgto, Apr 20, 2016
    I'mJp likes this.
  11. Autoist

    Autoist Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2016
    119
    81
    0
    Location:
    Seattle Metro
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    What would you charge us if we wanted you to make a set?
     
    #11 Autoist, May 21, 2016
    kenoarto likes this.
  12. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2010
    194
    229
    0
    Location:
    Northern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The black ABS material for one side cost me between 5 and 6 bucks so to make two, about $25.00
     
    #12 priusgto, May 22, 2016
  13. plug-it-in

    plug-it-in Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2008
    179
    113
    0
    Location:
    Kitchener, ON, Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    #13 plug-it-in, May 26, 2016
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,456
    50,202
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i wish i had the o/p's talent. i made one out of paperboard and elastics. it doesn't slide that well, but i also made a fold down flap to cover lower glass area. i need to do some refining!
     
    #14 bisco, May 26, 2016
    Last edited: May 27, 2016
    ETP likes this.
  15. kevindb

    kevindb Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2016
    9
    11
    0
    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    In the pictures, it looks good enough to have been manufactured. You're very skilled!
    After the (relatively) HUGE visor in my Sonata with built-in extender, I'm tired of having my retinas burned out with the tiny little visor in my Prius.
    If you're taking orders, you can put me down for one, please! :)
     
    #15 kevindb, May 26, 2016
    pjm877 likes this.
  16. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,944
    3,151
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    How did you mold the ABS sheet around the wooden form, heat gun and oven mitts, or something like a spatula/putty knife to fold and press the sheet into shape?

    I have the woodworking skills to make the visor form, but need a little guidance on the molding part lol.
     
    #16 xliderider, May 26, 2016
  17. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,944
    3,151
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    #17 xliderider, May 26, 2016
  18. Autoist

    Autoist Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2016
    119
    81
    0
    Location:
    Seattle Metro
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I would be interested at those prices. I did see some sites that advertised custom colors. I wonder if we could get sheets color matched close to the color of the actual visor. If we can maybe we can get a good group buy price.

    If not I would prefer grey or white over black.
     
    #18 Autoist, May 28, 2016
  19. pjm877

    pjm877 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2003
    340
    84
    0
    Location:
    austin, tx
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Put me down for a set...
     
    #19 pjm877, May 28, 2016
  20. priusgto

    priusgto Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2010
    194
    229
    0
    Location:
    Northern Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    Yes I used a heat gun. I clamped the whole assembly in my large vise with the wood visor on one side of the ABS and another piece of wood on the other side. I slowly/evenly heated the ABS until it was soft enough to droop on it's own over the edge of the wooden visor, then using a 1x3 block of wood I continued it around and held it in place for about one minute to let it cool. I used 3/32" material but I'd suggest using 1/16" so it's not so rigid.

    For you guys wanting a set, sorry but I don't plan on making any to sell. I have too many irons in the fire right now.
     
    #20 priusgto, May 29, 2016
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3