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Need a sun shield

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by cashore, Jul 6, 2009.

  1. cashore

    cashore New Member

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    I need a sun shade for the windshield of my new 2009. I hear that the size of the windshield makes for a LARGE sunshade, and that it's kind of awkward to manage. Which type of sunshade is best: roll up or folding type? Who makes them to fit properly? Who has had experience with them? Where can I find the best one? Inquring minds want to know!
     
  2. The Banks

    The Banks Junior Member

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    There is a company called Heatshield that makes excellent sunshades. Theres a custom fit one in every one of the 6 cars in my garage/driveway. The dealers out here sell them in the parts departments. You can try checking on the floor in the parts department or seeing if you would be able to special order one. Costs about $30 last time I bought one.

    Here is an example of what I'm talking about.

    http://www.afterthoughtsauto.com/cahe1.html
     
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  3. okiebutnotfrommuskogee

    okiebutnotfrommuskogee Senior Member

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    You should find them for sale in the PriusChat store. That's where I got mine.
     
  4. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    If you want the custom fit HeatShield, you can get it at the PriusChat Store for $30 delivered:

    PriusChat Shop : Toyota Prius HeatShield Sunshade - Front - $30.00

    If you don't want to spend so much, then I recommend measuring the approximate width and height of the windshield and going to an auto parts store to get one of the generic folding shields in the closest size. That's what I did, and the shield works substantially as well as the HeatShield, is probably easier to use and may last longer than the HeatShield (from what I hear), and costs a lot less -- only about $10 regularly, and $6 or $7 on sale.

    The other inexpensive shield I like are those with spring wire. One big advantage of these spring wire shields is that they fold into a little square that you can tuck into a front seatback pocket or under the front seats. But these are a little harder to find. Someone gave me mine, and it happened to also be the right fit for my Prius.
     
  5. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    I recommend HeatShield too. I first used a cheap generic model and I ended up with a distorted dash display, described here, that the shade might have contributed to.

    The only minor drawback to the HeatShield shade is that it tends to sag in the middle. Some (Efusco, for example) have reinforced theirs by inserting a stiff thin rod or two (wood or fiberglass, IIRC) between the layers. To keep her legs warm in the winter, my fiancee keeps a lightweight blanket stored in a plastic bag beneath the front passenger seat, so I just grab the bag and place in the middle of the dash to prevent the shade from sagging.
     
  6. blippo

    blippo New Member

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    I got the one from the PriusChat store and I extended the strap on it so I don't have to roll it up so tight when storing it
     
  7. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    I bought the stiff folding one from International Autosport. It is custom fitted to the Prius, and works much better than the roll up ones. It is more expensive, but should last longer and is a delight to use after struggling with my old off-the-shelf one for years, which started to come apart, and never fit right in the first place.

    They take about 2 weeks to get to you since they are custom made.
     
  8. cashore

    cashore New Member

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    Don't mind spending a bit more, if it's worth it. How do I find them? Google turns up a couple of International Autosports that are luxury auto dealers, but I don't see a parts/accessory dealer.
     
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    If you go full custom I'd suggest a fold-up. The rollups tend to sag, and if their straps are glued on the glue can melt in the window heat.
     
  10. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    That's true. One of mine came loose, but an easy fix was stapling it back into place. I had forgotten that because the fix has been effective.
     
  11. cashore

    cashore New Member

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    Do you also find that your roll-up sags in the middle?
     
  12. Yeahoo Whoyah

    Yeahoo Whoyah Duct Tape Advocate

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  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Wrong model years.
     
  14. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    Try here: AutoSport Catalog - Sun Shades & Visors 800-953-0814
     
  15. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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  16. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    See post #5.
     
  17. leftie1277

    leftie1277 New Member

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    Heatshield for sure, very happy with mine

    -Matt
     
  18. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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  19. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Yes, the Ultraviolet Heat Shield was the one that seemed OK to me too -- much better than the HeatShield -- and just might be worth its high price of $49.
     
  20. danl

    danl New Member

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    Question, is the heat shield on PC reflective, i.e. aluminum foil like on the exposed side?