Painting the Panoramic Glass For Heat Reduction

[kizamybute']

Not necessarily a bad option if that's what the owner so chooses to do with his/her own truck. Love how the OP uses the "asking for a friend" disguise to avoid the repercussions form the Rivian Forum members!! LOL. It's OK to admit it was you! LOL. Just teasing.

Personally, I was in the same boat. The interior got way too damn hot in the summer. Over 135 degree's. Just not tolerable. I first tinted the roof and while it seemed to help some, it was only a little. I didn't want to tint the windshield, but caved and did so with a 75% tint, which is about as low as you can go. But, supposed to block out 98% of the UV rays. Between that and the roof tint, made a HUGE difference of at least 20 degrees.

I went with 35% on the roof, so it blocks out most of the UV rays. Not sure painting it would have any measurable difference versus tinting it? I'm happy with the results of the tint and can still see through it, so best of both worlds. But, does appear that the windshield is one that has the greatest impact on heat reduction.

Sponsored

 

[BourboNole]

Its all been based on personal experience as well. I for example was in Southern Utah in April sitting at a charger (a slow one at that) and I was cooking in the truck even with the AC on. I had previously thought (even claimed) it was from the roof but as soon as I put a reflective screen in the windshield it got a whole lot more comfortable. In my opinion the sun comes through the windshield heats up the dash significantly which is the primary source of solar heating in the truck depending on the sun location.

That said of course some heat is coming through the roof, while it is tinted it's obviously still glass so not surprising on a sunny day you would feel some heat on your head it just isn't the largest factor, but again that is my opinion.

I guess I'll have to consider this as it starts getting hotter and I start really noticing it again. My preference is a shield over tinting, but that's obviously not an option for the windshield when not fully stationary.

 

[Zybane]

Tinting a cars windshield will make the largest difference with regard to thermal heat load intrusion. I've tinted all of my vehicle windshields with light ceramic tint for many many years and it makes the car so much more comfortable.

 

[Dark-Fx]

That said of course some heat is coming through the roof, while it is tinted it's obviously still glass so not surprising on a sunny day you would feel some heat on your head it just isn't the largest factor, but again that is my opinion.

The amount of days I wish I didn't have the glass roof because of heat last summer was exactly zero. I'd rather have more heat come in during the colder months.

 

[MichaelD]

There is noticeable heat radiating from the glass roof onto the top my bald head

I have the same hairstylist, and I went with XPEL XR Plus tint all around, including the front and top (using the very lightest shade everywhere but the front side windows, which are a bit darker). Huge, huge difference. I had mine done in TX while getting a full vehicle wrap, and they gave me a heck of a deal on the tint since it was a big job overall. Highly recommended.

PSA for front tint folks, the Xpel tint is clearer and has less night glare than Spectra Photosync, which I have used on my previous Teslas.

 

[connoisseurr]

Ceramic tint may have been better option...? He already hates the glass roof so maybe for him even if it doesn't help temperature then maybe it works for other reasons...

Ceramic tint will do nothing for the roof. Ceramic tint absorbs heat and will radiate it down into the cabin. You’ll feel MORE heat , on your head, shoulders and face.

Get a roof shade instead.

 

[pathfinder2]

Ceramic tint will do nothing for the roof. Ceramic tint absorbs heat and will radiate it down into the cabin. You’ll feel MORE heat , on your head, shoulders and face.

Get a roof shade instead.

A high quality ceramic tint will block 99% of infrared (and UV) - you wouldn't even feel the heat of a heat lamp 6” away, much less the sun. That type of tint will make the interior considerably cooler (20+ degrees F) than a car with no tint. The whole point is to reflect not absorb. Please cite a source if I am incorrect.

 

[R1Sky Business]

There is a gentleman on Facebook who didn't like the heat coming in from his "sunroof"...so he painted the exterior of it white.

Of all the possible solutions to roof heat, I'd have thought this would be at the bottom of the list. What say you?

McGrubber

 

[R1Sky Business]

Imagine his surprise when he takes it out and realizes most of the heat is coming through the windshield.... ooops.

More white paint

 

[connoisseurr]

A high quality ceramic tint will block 99% of infrared (and UV) - you wouldn't even feel the heat of a heat lamp 6” away, much less the sun. That type of tint will make the interior considerably cooler (20+ degrees F) than a car with no tint. The whole point is to reflect not absorb. Please cite a source if I am incorrect.

Here’s a simple article, specifically talking about F1 products, owned by Eastman Chemicals (also owns Llumar and SunTek), a leader in the window film and PPF industry.

https://dontsquint.com/understanding-ceramic-window-tint/

High-end ceramic tint both absorbs and reflects UV and IR. Your comment about a heat lamp is a valid argument, however what that scenario excluded is a flat, previously dyed glass surface, with a layer of tint applied beneath, receiving UV and IR from an energy source much stronger than a heat lamp, for HOURS. A high end tint will absorb a decent amount of heat which you will feel in the vehicle.

The only tint you’ll find that focuses on rejection, is architectural reflective tint.

 

[goldburger]

Spectra Photosync on windows + windshield + sunroof and this problem is elegantly solved.

It's been my recipe living in SoCal for the past 10 years and can't recommend it enough.

Where do you get it done?

 

[pathfinder2]

Here’s a simple article, specifically talking about F1 products, owned by Eastman Chemicals (also owns Llumar and SunTek).

https://dontsquint.com/understanding-ceramic-window-tint/

High-end ceramic tint both absorbs and reflects UV and IR. Your comment about a heat lamp is a valid argument, however what that scenario excluded is a flat, previously dyed glass surface, with a layer of tint applied beneath, receiving UV and IR from an energy source much stronger than a heat lamp, for HOURS. A high end tint will absorb a decent amount of heat which you will feel in the vehicle.

The only tint you’ll find that focuses on rejection, is architectural reflective tint.

Nice read. I will have to give you a review when I get mine! I have full ceramic on my Tacoma and it has performed very well but I don't have a panoramic roof just a sunroof which is not the same.

 

[connoisseurr]

A previous comment I mentioned opting for a roof shade, instead of paint, tint, etc.

Another benefit for a roof shade is it can easily be removed in colder months, to absorb heat for free cabin warming. Can’t do that with paint or tint, without throwing money away.

 

[Christopher]

Here’s a simple article, specifically talking about F1 products, owned by Eastman Chemicals (also owns Llumar and SunTek), a leader in the window film and PPF industry.

https://dontsquint.com/understanding-ceramic-window-tint/

High-end ceramic tint both absorbs and reflects UV and IR. Your comment about a heat lamp is a valid argument, however what that scenario excluded is a flat, previously dyed glass surface, with a layer of tint applied beneath, receiving UV and IR from an energy source much stronger than a heat lamp, for HOURS. A high end tint will absorb a decent amount of heat which you will feel in the vehicle.

The only tint you’ll find that focuses on rejection, is architectural reflective tint.

So then what's the point of tinting your windows? I noticed a tremendous difference in heat rejection with ceramic tint, my vehicle cools much faster, and it's more comfortable when getting in when it's been sitting for a bit.

 

[connoisseurr]

So then what's the point of tinting your windows? I noticed a tremendous difference in heat rejection with ceramic tint, my vehicle cools much faster, and it's more comfortable when getting in when it's been sitting for a bit.

Glass angle. Your roof glass is more perpendicular to UV and IR rays, versus side window or windshield glass.

Roof glass will always receive more UV and IR rays, compared to side windows and windshield, as the vehicle is driving and changing directions. Roof glass is always facing up.

Sponsored