If you used black carpet you could make it reversible, reflective out for the day and in for the night. It would keep more heat in the car at night and make it look black from outside.
There are other ways to attach them. I was also considering Velcro/hook and loop tape attached to the edges. That way you can flip them over. Also, there are snaps you can permanently attach, or spring clips that push the panel down. I'm sure there are clips that you could twist onto the edge or binder clips.
I made these for the windows of my wagon and they work terrifically. I double layered my insulation and used a darker carpet fabric on the inside. Also sewed on a label to each one so that the window they belong to can be easily identified. For the larger window at the back of the car I adhered cardboard cut outs to allow for it to be folded after use and to give it some more stability over the bigger window size. I also didn't need suction cups because the car has gaps between the window and seals where the sunshields can squish in. Thanks heaps for this video, it's the neatest version of this idea that I've seen executed on YT.
What’s your height for sleeping in the Element? I’m 6’3”. I hear it’s good for tall drivers, just wondered about laying down in the back, with seats no doubt pushed all the way up.
I have watched close to 300 videos trying to figure out how to make a template to create an accurate inset and this is the very first one that I just somehow stumbled upon after I already gave up😅
I must say, there are a lot of videos out there but hardly any of them explain the process in as detail as you have explained! even a total DYI beginner can follow your instructions and do a great job! thanks a lot for such great videos mate!
my problem has always been cutting a perfect template for my windows. You have just solved my problem.......big thanx. And the suction cups........genius.
Hi James,your video was really helpful and I have now made covers for all my van windows.The best tip was using smaller pieces of paper to make the template as even a slight wind made it difficult.I found it easier to work from the outside windows for all covers
bought a washer and dryer, used that corrugated box to over size cut sections, spray adhesive, walmart had black stretchy material on clearance, it all worked great. Needed it for one trip. It was a proof of concept, so there is always room for improvement. black out panels were the 3rd best Idea I had on that trip, 2nd was a fan (it was unusually hot in Florida this past april like 33C, 1st was going on the trip.
I have been using Reflectix in my house windows for over a decade, in the summertime. Helps just enough to keep the AC bills manageable. I use it in the East windows in the AM, South windows midday and the West windows in the afternoon. That way I still get light thru the windows where the sun is no longer shining on them.
I got and learned how to sewing machine during covid, so I would use that to do these things rather than so much spray adhesive, that's for non sewable surfaces. It was awesome to learn about the suction cups that are available, thank you!
The best way I've found to hide condensation and window coverings is to tint your windows. Check local laws on how much is allowed but for me 35% works great without being too noticeable or causing any issues. UV resistant tint costs more but is worth it as it also does quite a lot to keep heat out of your vehicle.
I just finished reading about the R-values of Reflectix on the Reflectix website. Doubling the Reflectix does not increase the R-value. You need an air space between the layers to add r-value. At least you left the reflective side uncovered. I just watched another video where they covered both sides with fabric completely negating the reflective value of the Reflectix. Nice video. When I made Reflectix covers for my last van, I used the spray adhesive, but used bias tape and a sewing machine and neo strong magnets. Thanks!
The best way to find the middle of a square or rectangular shape is to measure diagonally from corner. I made some covers from silverscreen windscreen covers from the £1 shop. Two of them did the whole van and they lasted for years. Being lazy I used 25mm duct tape where you used nice black ribbon on the edges.
7:15 an easier method to find the center is to simply make an X. Where the center of the X is the middle. No need to measure anything at all as long as you line up the four corners right.
I made simething simular for my car and since the trim is metal in the window used rare earth magnets aroubd the edges. Works great for keeping them in place.
Smartly done. My only concern is that your design doesn't really allow them to reverse, but reversing could be very useful to change between when you want to reflect the heat from entering vs. leaving.
Brilliant video James. Thanks for sharing. You inspired me to carpet my doors and now i've got a feeling i will be doing this as well soon. Great work mate, keep it up. Jon.👍
Excellent work! I have an Airstream, so I just cut the reflectix to fit in between the screen (inside) & the window. They’re not as tidy as yours, but they work fine. Thanks for the tips! If I get bored this winter, maybe I’ll trim them out like you did 😊
I noticed that your using the single bubble layer of reflectix? Here in the USA we have the 2 layer bubbles and single if you prefer. As a wallpaper hanger (decorator) you can make a template out of a single larger piece of paper loosely taped on and then make a crease with a credit card and Sharpie (felt marker) it in place. Voila a perfect template. I love the thermal qualities and easy storage, almost as much as I love my diesel heater !!!
I am in the process of planning my own window covers for my old Defender. And I need the stealth route which you mentioned at the end of your video. In this case I think the choice of material is important because I don't want the sun facing side to fade. Thanks for all the tips!
I made my window covers the same on my NV200 but need to finish them wound the edges. I made mine slightly larger and used neodymium magnets bonded between the layers. I think suction cups will be the way I go for the windscreen and doors though
Brilliant, informative and concise video matey 👍 I need to make some for my work van, so I'll give these a go. Also, I had some pre-made ones in the campervan I bought, so in case it helps anyone in the future... My old suction cups were failing, particularly in strong heat, so I bought a set of "Limpets" from Dometic and they were brilliant!
If you are in a VERY cold area, say where the temperature hovers around -10C or less, insulating the inner surface of the window actually increases condensation as the glass can get very cold. Insulation on the exterior surface, allows the window surface (inside) to warm above the dew point (hopefully). I found that laminating 4 layers of bubble-wrap works quite well. The drawback, is that it is OUTSIDE and subject to wind and the odd passerby pulling it off!
It really good fun car camping in extreme cold. I did minus 12 and my hottie froze! And I had loads of condensation which I don't normally get. So this a good tip NOT to use internal window covers in extreme cold. Thank you ! Wish I known that. Would curtains be better? Or at least not as bad. Not sure how I would attach something outside cept' the main windscreen where you trap it in window?
Thanks for sharing. How's the navy blue twill tape holding up to the UV rays? Faded much? Consider reflective on one side and black on the other so you can use either side depending on the situation.
I always use a template. I made the the window covers for my honda jazz from old foam sleep mats and friction keeps them in place. But does this foil work better please? I need to make another set as I have changed cars.
Awesome vid man ive just ordered some insulation to do exactly this on my ute canopy to keep thieves seeing my battery and fridge setup and keep it cooler and was wondering how i was going to cut them out to fit perfectly and satisfy my ocd = problem solved
They've just arrived and watching tis again before I attempt to make some just waiting on my suction cups now what is the stuff called you used around the edges?
if you are going for a a stealth look you might want to consider magnets for holding things in place and cover the the foil with some black felt or material you be a dead give away with foil showing on the outside..
I thought the same thing, cuz for me personally it's more about the stealth for me than actual insulation- hasta be all black or definite dead give away
nearly all commercially vehicle window covers are reflective on the outside facing portion... blacked out windows are NOT stealthy lmao, reflective covers ARE.
Which is worse, someone knowing your sleeping in the vehicle or someone thinking it’s a van with tools inside and potentially breaking in ? Personally I’d rather someone knows we’re sleeping in there and moving onto the next target, we also have a beware of the dog sticker on the outside of the sliding door glass as a further deterrent. p.s there really is a dog in there with us !
@@AJ-qn6gd i suspect in some areas you likely get flagged for dogs being in a vehicle though my point still stands on the window covers i wasn't knocking foil to the outside however if you are proned to park areas that your shouldn't be parking in, in the 1st place it would pay to show something less like you're camping that was all
Since they don't seal at the edges, convection is going to move the cold air into the inside of your vehicle. Without air sealing at the edges, they are only functioning as light blockers.
That's not correct at all. Of course it helps. A curtain in front of a window is obviously better than no curtain. There's a reason why winter curtains historically were thicker than summer curtains 👍
@@hansj5846 In summer, they would help to bock radiant heat, from direct sun, &c, but the heat build up (solar gain) in the gap between it and the window, would bring heat inside via convection. The temp between the two in summer could be very high. In winter, the glass could be very cold (especially at night) and that would cool the "gap" a lot... that cold air would fall, again due to convection, and cool the vehicle. If the edges were sealed, it would keep that hot, or cold, air trapped between the cover and the glass. The best way to cover/insulate the windows would be on the outside. Anyway, such is my opinion.
Need to have the reflectex on the inside to keep heat inside in cold months. For this you would need an air space between the foil and window which the suction cups will provide but you’ll need more spacers. The carpet would be more for the look which in your case is mighty fine. Should make them reversible so you can keep the sun out in summer.
🔥 Check out my full Nissan NV200 Tiny Camper Van Conversion here: ruclips.net/video/SlK6IwQA9RQ/видео.html 🔥
If you used black carpet you could make it reversible, reflective out for the day and in for the night. It would keep more heat in the car at night and make it look black from outside.
Good idea but what to do with the wear and tear reversing the plugs every time?
@@pietrogianwhat about making two sets? One for day, one for night?
There are other ways to attach them. I was also considering Velcro/hook and loop tape attached to the edges. That way you can flip them over. Also, there are snaps you can permanently attach, or spring clips that push the panel down. I'm sure there are clips that you could twist onto the edge or binder clips.
Amazon has screw in suction cups. It would make these completely reversible
@@pietrogian plugs are not necessary, I have made a bunch of window covers that only use friction to stay put.
I made these for the windows of my wagon and they work terrifically. I double layered my insulation and used a darker carpet fabric on the inside. Also sewed on a label to each one so that the window they belong to can be easily identified. For the larger window at the back of the car I adhered cardboard cut outs to allow for it to be folded after use and to give it some more stability over the bigger window size. I also didn't need suction cups because the car has gaps between the window and seals where the sunshields can squish in.
Thanks heaps for this video, it's the neatest version of this idea that I've seen executed on YT.
Pictures please!
I'd love to see photos of your shades. I was thinking of squishing them in the frames also
The paper template idea is genius! I'm going to make some for my Element. Thanks for sharing mate. 🤙🏼
exactly! I was stupidly trying to use one very large paper and trace... and it doesn't work that well. this way is much better!
I couldn't figure out for the life of me how I was getting a piece of paper big enough to trace my windows and this video answered everything
What’s your height for sleeping in the Element? I’m 6’3”. I hear it’s good for tall drivers, just wondered about laying down in the back, with seats no doubt pushed all the way up.
I have watched close to 300 videos trying to figure out how to make a template to create an accurate inset and this is the very first one that I just somehow stumbled upon after I already gave up😅
I must say, there are a lot of videos out there but hardly any of them explain the process in as detail as you have explained! even a total DYI beginner can follow your instructions and do a great job! thanks a lot for such great videos mate!
Thanks for the kind words, really glad the video is useful!
my problem has always been cutting a perfect template for my windows. You have just solved my problem.......big thanx. And the suction cups........genius.
Hi James,your video was really helpful and I have now made covers for all my van windows.The best tip was using smaller pieces of paper to make the template as even a slight wind made it difficult.I found it easier to work from the outside windows for all covers
I like your voice. You’re very easy to listen to.
I have been watching videos on making these for almost a year. This is the best I have seen. Good job! 👍
I struggle horribly trying to make window covers so I'm going to follow your expertise 💯👍🙂
Hope my DIY window cover guide helps!
bought a washer and dryer, used that corrugated box to over size cut sections, spray adhesive, walmart had black stretchy material on clearance, it all worked great. Needed it for one trip. It was a proof of concept, so there is always room for improvement. black out panels were the 3rd best Idea I had on that trip, 2nd was a fan (it was unusually hot in Florida this past april like 33C, 1st was going on the trip.
I’ve been looking for fans, what did you go with?
I have been using Reflectix in my house windows for over a decade, in the summertime. Helps just enough to keep the AC bills manageable. I use it in the East windows in the AM, South windows midday and the West windows in the afternoon. That way I still get light thru the windows where the sun is no longer shining on them.
I got and learned how to sewing machine during covid, so I would use that to do these things rather than so much spray adhesive, that's for non sewable surfaces.
It was awesome to learn about the suction cups that are available, thank you!
Holy cow what a well-made video
One of the best jobs I have seen.
Thanks for this video. Was wondering how I was going to accomplish this task and stumbled upon your tutorial. A+ thanks for sharing!
Lots of good info with helpful examples. Will try mine again. ❤
The best way I've found to hide condensation and window coverings is to tint your windows. Check local laws on how much is allowed but for me 35% works great without being too noticeable or causing any issues. UV resistant tint costs more but is worth it as it also does quite a lot to keep heat out of your vehicle.
I just finished reading about the R-values of Reflectix on the Reflectix website. Doubling the Reflectix does not increase the R-value. You need an air space between the layers to add r-value. At least you left the reflective side uncovered. I just watched another video where they covered both sides with fabric completely negating the reflective value of the Reflectix. Nice video. When I made Reflectix covers for my last van, I used the spray adhesive, but used bias tape and a sewing machine and neo strong magnets. Thanks!
Even with one, the r value is practically nothing.
I wondered about this. Thanks!
Where on the car window frame do you attach the magnets?
You have answered my question for my truck!!
Super ! Best ever DIY video I saw recently
Glad the video was helpful!
It's a proper professional tutorial thanks! The tips given by other viewers to make them reversable with black on one side makes a lot of sense yeah?
This is a great DIY project. I will be adding a little Velcro on the edge a my shades Stelton stay-in-place.
??
The best way to find the middle of a square or rectangular shape is to measure diagonally from corner. I made some covers from silverscreen windscreen covers from the £1 shop. Two of them did the whole van and they lasted for years. Being lazy I used 25mm duct tape where you used nice black ribbon on the edges.
Love your magnets. Tfs 🤙🏽🌺
7:15 an easier method to find the center is to simply make an X. Where the center of the X is the middle. No need to measure anything at all as long as you line up the four corners right.
I made simething simular for my car and since the trim is metal in the window used rare earth magnets aroubd the edges. Works great for keeping them in place.
Thanks for ur lovely video I am going to do it for my caravan Windows too.
So very easy to follow so happy thanks
Smartly done. My only concern is that your design doesn't really allow them to reverse, but reversing could be very useful to change between when you want to reflect the heat from entering vs. leaving.
You might be able to reverse them by popping out the suction cups and pressing them in from the other side
There are suction cups that screw in. Would work great and make them reversible.
Brilliant video James. Thanks for sharing. You inspired me to carpet my doors and now i've got a feeling i will be doing this as well soon. Great work mate, keep it up.
Jon.👍
Thank you! I love this info-centric video style! Am subscribed, you're a great teacher, fun and to the point. I finally feel like I can do this!!
Thank you for sharing this information about, I did mine this way.
That was the best demo I've seen....simple, to the point and excellent. thankyou
Love this method always wondered how to get the shape
Awesome tutorial, I'd been thinking of making some for my car build,... then you're video popped up on my feed! What luck, great work!
Thanks, glad the video was helpful :)
Excellent work! I have an Airstream, so I just cut the reflectix to fit in between the screen (inside) & the window. They’re not as tidy as yours, but they work fine. Thanks for the tips! If I get bored this winter, maybe I’ll trim them out like you did 😊
Awesome, enjoy your window covers!
So tremendously appreciative for this video. Most EXCELLENT! Just what I want and need for my micro camper. Many thanks.
I noticed that your using the single bubble layer of reflectix? Here in the USA we have the 2 layer bubbles and single if you prefer. As a wallpaper hanger (decorator) you can make a template out of a single larger piece of paper loosely taped on and then make a crease with a credit card and Sharpie (felt marker) it in place. Voila a perfect template. I love the thermal qualities and easy storage, almost as much as I love my diesel heater !!!
Nice. This was useful. I find curtains a bit cumbersome in a small van. I like this idea a lot
I am in the process of planning my own window covers for my old Defender. And I need the stealth route which you mentioned at the end of your video. In this case I think the choice of material is important because I don't want the sun facing side to fade.
Thanks for all the tips!
Greetings from India. Great Idea , Thank you
Instruction nicely done. Thumbs up!
Easy to follow - great video - thanks for the tips! :)
I made my window covers the same on my NV200 but need to finish them wound the edges. I made mine slightly larger and used neodymium magnets bonded between the layers. I think suction cups will be the way I go for the windscreen and doors though
Magnets is a great idea? Have you carpeted your van and do they stick to the metal through the carpet?
Yeah they are only 8mm ones from amazon and I doubled them up. They stick through the carpeted apertures no problem
Brilliant, informative and concise video matey 👍
I need to make some for my work van, so I'll give these a go.
Also, I had some pre-made ones in the campervan I bought, so in case it helps anyone in the future... My old suction cups were failing, particularly in strong heat, so I bought a set of "Limpets" from Dometic and they were brilliant!
Glad you liked the video and thanks for the extra info! 😄
Gdje si to kupio?
Thank you so much for making this video, it was really helpful. I'm excited to make my own with some tweaks. Cheers!
If you are in a VERY cold area, say where the temperature hovers around -10C or less, insulating the inner surface of the window actually increases condensation as the glass can get very cold. Insulation on the exterior surface, allows the window surface (inside) to warm above the dew point (hopefully). I found that laminating 4 layers of bubble-wrap works quite well. The drawback, is that it is OUTSIDE and subject to wind and the odd passerby pulling it off!
Bastards!
Or stay at home and put the fire on...
@@pooroldfredBart Simpson.
It really good fun car camping in extreme cold. I did minus 12 and my hottie froze! And I had loads of condensation which I don't normally get. So this a good tip NOT to use internal window covers in extreme cold. Thank you ! Wish I known that. Would curtains be better? Or at least not as bad. Not sure how I would attach something outside cept' the main windscreen where you trap it in window?
Have you tried magnets?
Great video, they look really well made.
Looks good. Good job
thanks for the advice, I am working on my camper
Very good 👍
What an awesome job! Thanks for a great how-to video! 👍🏼
Very well done both the covers and the video. 👍🏾
Thanks! Looks great! Safe and wonderful travels!
Those look nice.
I love these window covers. TYSM for sharing. I'll let you know how mine turn out. 😏 😅❤ safe travels! 👍
nice, thank you! question, if you double up on the insulation do you just spray them together with the adhesive?
Hi, its a great job and great idea for making my own covers, but how much lower degree could it get on sunny day? Thank you.
Very helpful thanks alot
That wouldn’t be easy for me, I want to buy some. Well done, they do look great!
Thanks for sharing. How's the navy blue twill tape holding up to the UV rays? Faded much? Consider reflective on one side and black on the other so you can use either side depending on the situation.
The twill tape has been fine, not really faded much though I suppose that depends on the quality. That's a good idea for stealth
Excellent video thank you, I'm looking to do this for my car then eventually my campervan when I get it :)
Great tutorial- thank you 😊
Good tips thanks for the video
Thanks! A good idea👍
I always use a template. I made the the window covers for my honda jazz from old foam sleep mats and friction keeps them in place. But does this foil work better please? I need to make another set as I have changed cars.
Nice method, thank you.
Thank you, really useful
Thank you so much
You are so much help
Awesome vid man ive just ordered some insulation to do exactly this on my ute canopy to keep thieves seeing my battery and fridge setup and keep it cooler and was wondering how i was going to cut them out to fit perfectly and satisfy my ocd = problem solved
They've just arrived and watching tis again before I attempt to make some just waiting on my suction cups now what is the stuff called you used around the edges?
It's called edge bonding or bias binding
Great tips! What kind of carpet is that? I’m having a hard time finding stuff that isn’t the scratchy stuff for boats
Thanks, it's 4 way stretch automotive carpet: amzn.to/3ncNHEP (affiliate link)
I am a new follower of your channel Greetings from Türkiye 😊
Good job man,good job! Liked and subscribed…..!
GREAT IDEA! How many spray glue cans do you need for everything?
Good work.
Thanks!
AWESOME!!! Thank you!
Very clever.
Thank you
Great vid! Thx so much. I will do this for my sailboat windows. ❤
if you are going for a a stealth look you might want to consider magnets for holding things in place and cover the the foil with some black felt or material you be a dead give away with foil showing on the outside..
I thought the same thing, cuz for me personally it's more about the stealth for me than actual insulation- hasta be all black or definite dead give away
That depends where you live. It's common to see foil in hot, sunny locations. 🦋
nearly all commercially vehicle window covers are reflective on the outside facing portion... blacked out windows are NOT stealthy lmao, reflective covers ARE.
Which is worse, someone knowing your sleeping in the vehicle or someone thinking it’s a van with tools inside and potentially breaking in ? Personally I’d rather someone knows we’re sleeping in there and moving onto the next target, we also have a beware of the dog sticker on the outside of the sliding door glass as a further deterrent. p.s there really is a dog in there with us !
@@AJ-qn6gd i suspect in some areas you likely get flagged for dogs being in a vehicle though my point still stands on the window covers i wasn't knocking foil to the outside however if you are proned to park areas that your shouldn't be parking in, in the 1st place it would pay to show something less like you're camping that was all
Another top addition 👍
Great idea but how and where do you store this large pannel?
I store them flat under my mattress and I roll the windscreen one up and store it overhead
Hey there! I’m curious if you’ve tested the suction cups in extreme cold weather and if they work on cold or frozen glass.
Hi, I haven't I'm afriad - I live in quite a mild climate
Ah yes, we need advice on cold climate. We in North East of England here.
How are those suction cups holding up? I’ve never seen any that doodle well in intense heat.
They're not too bad, I find sometimes they need to be remoulded by hand after they've been stored flat for a while, but they still stick to the window
Maàan! Im trying to ask everyone in my country can they make doubble instulation
I was wondering about the outside where ppl can see it.i want to make mine look like my suv has just black car tint.very cool video thanks.🤗😇👍🙏
Just spray paint the reflectix side black, or use black carpet so it's reversible. One side silver, the other side black.
Exactly what they said!
Since they don't seal at the edges, convection is going to move the cold air into the inside of your vehicle. Without air sealing at the edges, they are only functioning as light blockers.
That's not correct at all.
Of course it helps. A curtain in front of a window is obviously better than no curtain.
There's a reason why winter curtains historically were thicker than summer curtains 👍
@@hansj5846 In summer, they would help to bock radiant heat, from direct sun, &c, but the heat build up (solar gain) in the gap between it and the window, would bring heat inside via convection. The temp between the two in summer could be very high.
In winter, the glass could be very cold (especially at night) and that would cool the "gap" a lot... that cold air would fall, again due to convection, and cool the vehicle.
If the edges were sealed, it would keep that hot, or cold, air trapped between the cover and the glass.
The best way to cover/insulate the windows would be on the outside. Anyway, such is my opinion.
Amazing..thanks
Love this !!!!!
Thanks! :)
Need to have the reflectex on the inside to keep heat inside in cold months. For this you would need an air space between the foil and window which the suction cups will provide but you’ll need more spacers. The carpet would be more for the look which in your case is mighty fine. Should make them reversible so you can keep the sun out in summer.
Great video! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Come make some for Skoda superb plz
Perfekt 👌
Looks for cheap foam backed drapes at a thrift store. That could be a bonus of insulation attached.
I am going to do this for the odd shaped skylight in my shower.
Hi... Could you tell again, what is the name of the navy blue 25mm fabric you use to do the edge ? Thank you !
It's herringbone edge fabric, can find it here: amzn.to/44Liolz (affiliate link)
@@LensOfJames Thanks a lot !
good vid, best I have seen, be making these type, have a fiat doblo
Handy thanks for this
Glad it is useful :)
Hello. What are the materials you used?. I would like to make this also. Thanks
Hi, I've got the materials you need in the video description 😀
I use double sided insulation that I got from the pet store.
Great idea!