CLEAR Window Film Polarizing ?

Yikes. This thread is a gold mine for me. Thank you.

brulaz wrote:
The 3M blurb says it "rejects" 97% of the IR, and "blocks" 99% of the UV.

Does that mean it "reflects" those rays back out of the cab?

Or are they converted to heat in the film? Which eventually would heat up the glass. Which would be better than heating the interior surfaces with the IR, but not as good as reflecting the rays back out. And converting the UV to hot glass is better than letting it in as well.

But I've always thought outer sun shades covering stationary windows is preferable to non-reflective films. But realize that they may not be that feasible in vehicles and mobile homes.

Just curious ...

Our 3M film does not heat up the glass... where the rejected energy goes? I suspect it's reflected back out into the atmosphere.

Rob

pnichols wrote:
I wonder if that film does something else that's very important to those of us ("me") that have Class C motorhomes with forward facing windows in the cabover section?

Can it be installed on the OUTSIDE of the window glass up there in the cabover so that it offers protection to the window from rocks and stones while traveling?

(off topic, but ...) If not, does any company offer an exterior plastic film for windows that will make them more shatter/break proof? I especially want to protect this forward facing cabover window for an Alaska trip.

No - the film has to be installed on the inside. It is also only a few microns thick and would not provide any protection against foreign object debris (FOB).

Rob

The 3M blurb says it "rejects" 97% of the IR, and "blocks" 99% of the UV.

Does that mean it "reflects" those rays back out of the cab?

Or are they converted to heat in the film? Which eventually would heat up the glass. Which would be better than heating the interior surfaces with the IR, but not as good as reflecting the rays back out. And converting the UV to hot glass is better than letting it in as well.

But I've always thought outer sun shades covering stationary windows is preferable to non-reflective films. But realize that they may not be that feasible in vehicles and mobile homes.

Just curious ...

I know folks that use it in the windshield of their coach and it works great. It is expensive and they don't want to get a crack which requires replacement.

I also know folks who use the clear film in their auto side and rear windows in the desert. They swear by it.

pnichols wrote:
I wonder if that film does something else that's very important to those of us ("me") that have Class C motorhomes with forward facing windows in the cabover section?

Can it be installed on the OUTSIDE of the window glass up there in the cabover so that it offers protection to the window from rocks and stones while traveling?

(off topic, but ...) If not, does any company offer an exterior plastic film for windows that will make them more shatter/break proof? I especially want to protect this forward facing cabover window for an Alaska trip.

Yes they make a clear that you can use for security film, and I know that they make a clear that my friend used to install on the front of NASCAR vehicles at the Richard Petty Driving Experience to prevent chipping.

I wonder if that film does something else that's very important to those of us ("me") that have Class C motorhomes with forward facing windows in the cabover section?

Can it be installed on the OUTSIDE of the window glass up there in the cabover so that it offers protection to the window from rocks and stones while traveling?

(off topic, but ...) If not, does any company offer an exterior plastic film for windows that will make them more shatter/break proof? I especially want to protect this forward facing cabover window for an Alaska trip.

If this film is polarized then you do not want to use polarized sunglasses at the same time. The results would be not what you expect.

I had cataract surgery and came out farsighted to a minor degree, so I got prescription glasses to correct that. This is after being nearsighted all my life. When I got my license renewed I was able to get the glasses restriction removed. Regular sunglasses now work just fine I have a pair of great lightweight RayBans

Mex, I just got both eyes done for cataracts with " Intraocular Lens" made in Irvine CA. Anyway, yes you might still need glasses after that or maybe not depending on astigmatism or whatever, or maybe just reading glasses. Bright light is harsh with the new eyes for some months. In my case, I already had a cheap polarize sun shade thingy that when driving in daytime, I hang on the inside of my regular glasses, which are not tinted.

After six weeks or so from getting your second eye done, you can go for a new prescription and get new glasses. Once you get those, you can use the cheapo drop in polarize shades with them, same as with your old glasses. Until then, you could need actual sunglasses you can put on and drive without any glasses except your new eyes, which will probably be good enough so you don't run into trees or miss any red lights. :)

Years ago I had a set of prescription tinted glasses with a variable tint that was supposed to be dark in daytime and light at night. Nope, it stayed too dark in the dark. Hated those things. So I got the drop in shades that hang inside your glasses. Sort of bent at the sides like blinkers too--neat feature. Works great for driving.

Even though I am shortly going to undergo the 2nd eyeball cataract surgery with corrective lens I am hoping to get a prescription for glasses that will correct "I am tired and have blurry vision". Means late afternoon and early evening driving. I have no idea if polarized glasses are available crystal clear. If so, I will forget doing the windshield and just do the side windows. I would rather the windshield remain transparent. It's that @#$%^&! driver's side window that "microwaves" my skin to look like a lobster.
Comments about prescription polarized glasses would be most welcome. It about doubles the cost of the glasses. And no, Mexico is not longer inexpensive for glasses. That stopped around 15 years ago. I just want to drive "safer".