Sky Light Roof ?

[Rick in Yuma]

Question to AZ owners with the plastic Sky Light roof. How do you think it is going to hold up this summer. I own an RV supply bus. here in Yuma, and the Sun eats them(rv roof sky lights) up. Do you foresee a problem?We have already had 100degree plus weather. What's the heat build up like? The reason for asking, I just placed a res. for a "Pure". I see if I up grade to a passion base model. The panoramic roof is standard. A option, like the heated seats in my Vert. I don't need here. Also any scratching issues. We have a "small" amount of sand in the state and it seems to follow me around.

[Dunerunner]

Rick in Yuma - The roof is the same material used for aircraft canopies, I doubt that with proper care the Yuma sun will affect the roof. If you're really worried, buy a car cover.

[Old SGM]

I am also concerned with the durability of the clear top and the heat transfer to the interior. Cars with metal roofs even convertables has insulation padding to reduce heat transfer to the inside of the car. With only the sliding shade as insulation, it would seem reasonable that the inside of the car will get hot.
The is a company in California, California Pop Tops, that makes an easy to install cover for the top, windshield, side windows and back window. I called the owner an asked if he makes one for the Smart. He said he did not at the moment, but if there was an interest he would make them.
Check out the website and look at the videos.

Car Covers, Car Sun Shades - California PopTop
Installation Demo: cable/DSL (51 seconds)
Removal Demo: cable/DSL (40 seconds)

If enough of us contact them, maybe he can gear up and make some on short notice. I told him I wanted to be first on the delivery list.
Other than wanting to buy a Pop Top for my Smart, I do not have any connection to the company.

[Fredvon4]

I have the "Glass top" Passion here in Central Texas.... June to Oct we see a LOT of full sun days in the 95~103 range....modestly cooler then Yuma

I also have the Black Trition... I can tell you this Lil Bugger gets HOT sitting in an asphalt shadeless parking lot all day long and the still high angle of the sun on the commute home totally over whelms the A/C system and she never cools down enough to cal comfortable....Thermal transfer and solar gain on the "Glass top" and massively Black areas

I am so busy at work that the last three Weeks with the car I have not had the time to experiment with a foil covered cardboard insert for the top between the shade and the "Glass top".... Member Jonnysan is playing with a mirror mylar film sheet on top of the shade material and I keep forgetting to have him mail me a sheet to try

Bottom line is the solar gain and lack of any thermal barrier adds a significant heat load to the interior

I suspect I will end up using a car cover at work during the next few months

[MENSA42]

anyone try 'tinting' the panoramic roof????

there's a wide range of tints available, from merely a dark tint to a mirror finish, all of which would still allow those inside the car to see OUT but would keep much of the sun from coming IN.

just a thought.....surely someone has already done this?

[JPaul]

Isn't the «Bayer™ Makrolon® Webasto made» polycarbonate roof already tinted with an UV filter, in the 65% range? I checked the owner's manual, to no avail. Where did I see that?
Anyway, it's a greenhouse, to be sure! Even with the shade closed.

[Vander]

I spoke to my window tint installer, who indicated that the polycarb roof would not take the tint very well. He indicated that over time it would end up bubbling the tint. But I too have noticed that the car gets plenty hot, in fact really hotter than it should. I think I may have him tint it anyway and if it does bubble, I will just remove the tint. I think the mirror finish is the way to go.

[getsmartusa]

I sent an email request to them via the "contact us" link on the website.

[Fredvon4]

Jpaul

Yes it is UV tinted

Dang it! I thought I learned that fact from you some months back ...maybe some one else..... but the thead linked to the technical description of the product smart used

So your memory of " Bayer™ Makrolon® Webasto made" is right on the money IIRC

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

I have the "Glass top" Passion here in Central Texas.... June to Oct we see a LOT of full sun days in the 95~103 range....modestly cooler then Yuma

I also have the Black Trition... I can tell you this Lil Bugger gets HOT sitting in an asphalt shadeless parking lot all day long and the still high angle of the sun on the commute home totally over whelms the A/C system and she never cools down enough to cal comfortable....Thermal transfer and solar gain on the "Glass top" and massively Black areas

I am so busy at work that the last three Weeks with the car I have not had the time to experiment with a foil covered cardboard insert for the top between the shade and the "Glass top".... Member Jonnysan is playing with a mirror mylar film sheet on top of the shade material and I keep forgetting to have him mail me a sheet to try

Bottom line is the solar gain and lack of any thermal barrier adds a significant heat load to the interior

I suspect I will end up using a car cover at work during the next few months

Fred I have a feeling your AC is not up to par. the car does have a large glass area for solar gain but mine seems to be able to cool it off on the odd 90 degree day we get here. forcast is for 95 today...
smart for two passion coupe Farnsforth Lil Blue Bugger Texas size name for the little car
karl