I have an '04 Black MCS with the aforementioned sunroofs. The tint on these roofs is said to be approximately 22%... Driving only 45 minutes with the sun overhead will invariably produce a nasty sunburn on my forehead, face and arms... Wearing suntan lotion or block inside the Mini is definitely NOT an option. A baseball cap is insufficient protection as well.

I've griped about the solar heat factor and solar glare factor with these roofs (and the somewhat "half-functional" perforated shades) and many of you with the roofs option might indeed admit that you have been miffed about the same situation... Yet, we do love our roofs, don't we?

...The factory perforated sunshades simply do not provide enough protection from the blazing sun's heat & glare. I live in Texas and I need some decent protection from the sun.

For me... roof decals are not an option. I do not care for them.

There are some remedies out there, one of which is placing (cut to the respective rooflines) black posterboard in the sunroof areas above the shades... but there will always be a lightgap which can be annoying... and the cardboard just does not provide enough heat rejection. One must remove the front roof board before opening the roof for "open motoring"...

There are the excellent flexible, padded, custom fit "NASA material" professionally made shades that are sold by Stratmosphere... I admit that I will eventually have to get the set... including the one for the windshield... The only drawback here is that one must remove the front roof shade before opening the front roof for "open motoring"... Still, like the cardboard option, one must also physically place the shade in place for use.

I have opted to utilize a double layer of 5% Color Stable 3M Tint on both roofs and I am posting this thread to tell you all that the two layers of the 5% tint "on top of" the factory 22% glass tint has finally done the trick... for me at least. The sun, its glare, and the heat created are no longer an issue. No more sunburn ! When the shade is closed it is as close as one can get to having a solid roof above one's head. With the shade open, the solar nullification, glare elimination, and heat rejection, are still totally sufficient while still allowing a reasonable upward vista of sky and clouds. I dare to say that the roofs are close to "eclipse viewing ready" as any could possibly be.

A side effect of this simple solution has been increased A/C efficiency. It cools so quickly now that it can be kept at higher temp. settings and lower fan settings with no sacrifice in comfort.


The 3M Color Stable tint, said simply,.... is absolutely superb !!!

 

Thanks for this info! I'm sure that many MINIacs will refer to this for info! :smile:


Clover

 

...most welcome. Of course I hope that this is helpful to all.

I forgot to mention that the "sunroof shattering" phenomenon often discussed does not apply to our roofs. It is only an issue with aftermarket and factory roofs that have holes drilled through them with a latches attached... The drilling and attachment of a latching mechanism causes stress... and if one tints such a roof one runs the risk of heat buildup producing different rates of expansion between glass and tint which may indeed cause collapse...

Our Mini sunroofs should be safe from this phenomenon.

 

You could also go with a roof colored sunroof graphic from cooperflags. Oh, where in Texas are you?

 

I've been considering one of those perforated vinyl sunroof covers... would match the white roof nicely and would cut back on incoming sun... See CooperFlags.

 

Not to rain on your parade or anything, but it's impossible to get a suntan through the glass in your sunroof. UV light is filtered out by any type of glass. Yeah, yeah, some UV light will get through, but it's the much lower energy UV-A that gets through and it will probably take a looooooooong time for that to give you any kind of tan.
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... near the capital. You are near Big "D" right...(Hurst, Euless, Bedford)?

Don't care for the roof graphics... almost every one I have seen ends up peeling back due to force of nature. I am happy with the double 5% tint.

 

...in my case the effect is exacerbated by meds I take on a regular basis. These cause an increased sensitivity to sunlight and I assure you that I have been severely "burned" on many occasions. I am still sporting a "sunstripe" on my forehead and neck.

I understand what you are saying, but respectfully disagree in this instance. Also, have you ever been exposed to the hot Texas sun? Its intensity will burn you in a sunroofed car... and the 22% factory tinted glass is insufficient to protect you from it, even with a "closed" sunshade.

You do "outrank" me though... so it would be feasable that I could be "ordered" to defer to your line of reasoning... (as I was only a Navy Lt. when I left the service...) :smile:

 

... considered them, ...and rejected the idea of utilizing them.
But thanks for the suggestion.

 

He's right, I've gotten a sunburn thru the MINI roof, also.

In WINTER, no less!

 

I'm a pale face, white boy in New Mexico. Talk about a target! But the truth is, I've never had even a hint of a burn thru the sunroof. Although I dont want ot imply it didn't happen to you, I believe your situation to be the exception not the rule. I do think your solution is a good one however for those who dislike the constant "in your face" light the sunroof provides.

ripley

 

That is one thing I always do in my cars is tint the sunroof. I use one layer of 3% limo tint on the roof and that seems to work well.
Not sure if the sun shines much here in Ohio, but, when I have the roof in the tilt position I don't want to bake under the sun, I just want a little air.
I had an Audi years ago with a steel roof, great insulation, no light and could be opend and tilted just the same.
One other thing, glass is heavier, I'd take a steel tilt/open roof any day

 

...steel tilt/open... I agree with you 100%.

 

i live in manila i drive a cooper s with sunroof. i installed v-kool film to my sunroof as well as the whole glass of my car. now driving at high noon doesn't bother me as much before with the heat. especially sitting on leather seats. not sweaty anymore. my a/c turn on only 2 bars, unlike before at max speed. i did not want to change the look of the car with dark windows. i think its a worthy investment.

 

I have Huper Optik ceramic tint on all my windows and roof glass. You can read more about it at http://huperoptik.com/Ceramic.asp?ca...try=Automotive

It's amazing how this stuff cuts the heat without being super dark. And it has a 10 year warranty. Dealers that install this stuff are hard to find so call the company. All my windows, roofs and windshield sunstrip ran $400 comlete and well worth it.

 

I also had huper optik films on my miata and they were great. I do plan on getting it again when my MCS arrives.