Prius Sunshade

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Just Drivin @ May 29 2006, 09:36 PM) [snapback]262629[/snapback]</div>

I also have the sun shade (called Heat Shield) through PriusChat's accessory store. It really does the job of relecting heat as well as blocking sunlight. Sometimes when I'm putting it up or taking it down, I can feel the sun's heat reflecting off it onto my face--strongly! I've had a number of sunshades on other vehicles, and this one is easily and by far the most effective. I recommend it.
Tideland's comment about being a little less convenient to store than others is true, but I generally stick mine on the back seat floorboard, right behind me and to the right, since I seldom have back seat passengers. When I do, it goes on back to the rear cargo area, and my passengers pass it up to me when we stop. The minor inconvenience is more than compensated for by its quite wonderful effectiveness.

 

Ditto on everything ckb said.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(floydenheimer @ May 30 2006, 01:17 AM) [snapback]262660[/snapback]</div>

And another ditto......also I am particularly impressed with the workmanship of the product as well as it's effectiveness.
Gary

 

I had a CanvasWorks' HeatShield shade but replaced it with one sold by a Toyota dealer. The CanvasWorks' velcro strap is glued on and it pulls off in summer heat. The dealer shield cost less and is better made: it's stiffer so it hugs the window more closely, and the strap is stitched on.

 

I have the Heat Shields all the way around. I consistently use the front and rear every day. I use all the shades in summer. I crack the rear windows for ventilation. These Heat Shields are far superior to anything else out there.

Yes, the Velcro strap is glued on. A needle and thread took care of the problem.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ May 30 2006, 09:28 AM) [snapback]262762[/snapback]</div>

Richard, now that you mention it, I've wished the HeatShield was stiffer; I was not yet aware of the velcro strap problem, as I haven't had mine through much heat yet. Where are you from? Where is the dealer you bought your newer one from? What is the brand/maker of your new shield? How much did it cost? How can others get one? Are they available for the front only or other windows, too? Are they made to fit the windows, like the Canvas Works HeatShield?

 

The first weekend I had my Prius I stopped at an auto parts store and bought a sunscreen that the package said was the right size for the Prius. It wasn't - it was too big. So I got the one from the accessories store here - works fine for me.

 

I used the Jumbo one from Walmart that folds into a circle- I put it up and down instead of sideways, since our windows are soooo long. Folds up right beside the seat and console.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ckbarnard @ May 30 2006, 12:27 PM) [snapback]262822[/snapback]</div>

It's a custom fit for the windshield. There didn't seem to be any for the other windows. Curiously the maker's name is not anywhere on the Sunshade itself; I'll check the packaging on another one when I return to the dealer (Toyota of Richardson, TX) for the latest recall :_< If you care to search this forum I've mentioned the name in some previous post which I don't remember.

But after a while this one got a bit saggy also. Two things fixed that:
1) a 3/16" wooden dowel inserted through the shade in the middle as an internal support; whittle a point on the inserted end to make it easier to push it through the insulation, and work it through slowly (this improved the CanvasWorks Sunshade also)
2) rolling the shade up backwards so that it tends to curl into the edges of the window instead of away from them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ May 30 2006, 09:22 PM) [snapback]263237[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, Richard. Very good ideas!
I tried searching under sun shade and heat shield, along with your name, and couldn't find that post. But I think I'm more interested in modifying the HeatShield I already have, since you and skruse (Post #7 above) gave such good suggestions for handling its shortcomings. Thank you both!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ May 30 2006, 11:34 AM) [snapback]262768[/snapback]</div>

Cheaper than buying a new one, certainly. For $30 delivered I expected that the vendor would have done it right.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ May 31 2006, 12:22 AM) [snapback]263237[/snapback]</div>

Good idea to roll it up backwards. I made mine stiffer by gluing a couple of strips of wood to the backside using GE silicone bathroom caulk/cement. The strips are about 5/8" x 1/4" and have rounded edges on the topside. They are used to cover the edgers of screening after stapling it to a frame.

- Tom

 

I got my 2009 Prius in April '09 here in Austin, TX. After reading all the sunshade information that I could find here on PriusChat, I decided to try the Intro-Tech Automotive Windshield Sun Shade (says Part#TT-77 on my receipt) which I found at AutoAnything.com for $40, including free shipping.

I was most nervous about the possibility of sagging after a summer of intense heat. The most-often recommended shade here (I forget what it was) also had a number of posts with that complaint.

After a record number of 100+ days last summer here in Austin, and a toasty start to this year's summer, I haven't experienced any sag problems at all. The fit is good and easy to put up and pull down.

The ends are curled a little inward from always rolling up the same way -- I'll probably try rolling it backwards for a bit to straighten that out.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this sun shade, and wanted to report back here since it was the posts here that led me to my satisfying choice.

 

I've been using a California PopTop for the past year. Easy on/off and covers all the windows. Not only keeps the heat out in the summer, but worked wicked good on keeping the frost off the windscreen in the winter.
Blew off once during the wowzer of a blizzard last winter, but other than that, no complaints, eh.

 

Heat shield all the way through PriusChat. Had one on my G2 and now on my G3. Fits like a glove and reflects heat very well, yet isn't blistering how when you're rolling it back for storage.

 

I use one of the collapsible circular shades that I got for $9 at the auto parts store - I don't like having a bulky one to roll up.

 

Oh yea, true..the heatshield is bulky to roll up.