Causes of Car Trim Melting and How to Avoid Them
October 07, 2017Glare from energy-efficient windows can melt Vehicle
Anything plastic on the vehicle can melt from Low E window reflection. The reflection from windows can be so strong it will melt parts of vehicles, especially the plastic trim. And let's face it ... cars today are mostly plastic. There is plastic literally everywhere, on the inside and the outside. Any replacement parts for a vehicle can be costly so if you're having trouble with your windows reflecting on to a vehicle, its best to stop it before it causes too much damage.
You spend a lot of money to purchase and maintain your vehicle. You keep it clean and take price in how it looks. Nothing brings more disappointment than having to experience car trim melting and seeing all your efforts go to waste.
Car trims are usually made of rubber or plastic. Plastic has been a popular choice because of the ease by which it can be molded. Recent technological advancements have also made plastic trims more durable and stronger. The use of plastics in making the car trims lessens the weight, thus improves the efficiency of the car.
The use of plastic, however, has a downside. It crumbles when it hits its highest melting point. This causes the trims to become deformed and damaged.
The Reason Why Car Trim Melts from Window Glare
Car trim melting happens when cars are directly exposed to solar reflections from windows which are fitted with low emissivity glass (Low E). These types of windows filter the sunlight that passes through the window. They allow visible light to pass through while blocking and redirecting ultraviolet and infrared rays.
Windows with energy-efficient features, however, have a destructive side effect. While being very effective in filtering sunlight that goes indoors, the solar energy that is expelled outwards does a lot of harm to its surrounding areas.
The sun's energy is magnified by the glass and bounces back damaging anything in its way such as a vehicle, or artificial turf, vinyl siding and more.
Window Reflection Also Melts Artificial Grass Turf
The Best Way to Stop Car Trim from Melting in the Sun
In order to avoid having your vehicle melted by the sun's reflection it's best to park away from windows. You may not even realize and park directly in the path of a building that melts a cars. It's best to select a parking location that is well shaded and away from harmful window reflection.
Checking the direction of the glare from your neighbors' windows also helps determine the best parking spot.
Exterior Window Film to Stop Reflection
The best option to stop window reflection from melting car trim is applying Turf Guard Window Film to the outside of the windows. In the case that its happening at your home or building, then you definitely want to apply clear Turf Guard and save yourself the hassle and liability of something being damaged by reflection off of your windows.
Turf Guard Window Film is very easy to install and goes on the outside of the glass. Turf Guard diffuses the window reflection so its not concentrated enough to cause damage to a vehicle or artificial grass or vinyl siding or anything that gets in the way.