Our padded glareshield trim came about by refining the design of a custom one off glareshield that was requested by a customer. It provides an alternative to the basic "pinch welt" often installed on RV glareshields, and was developed and improved over time with input and feedback from customers.
The main features that customers requested were padding and an improved appearance. Of course simple installation was also preferred. Our first glareshield design covered the entire glareshield area with one single piece that wrapped around the front edge and went under the existing glareshield. We found that this design introduced several issues.
Because the position of the windshield can be slightly different from one RV to the next, each glareshield would need to be custom fitted. Custom fitting an aircraft that we don't have at our shop increases the chances of an incorrect fit. Another issue was that the padded edge did not feel very padded. The thin foam did not seem to blunt the sharp edge of the glare shield very much, even though we put a piece of the old style pinch welt under it to round the edge. Also, this area can get quite hot in the sun, and Velcro and other adhesive type fastening methods didn't hold up very well.
The final design was a compromise, but addressed each of these issues. Instead of one large piece to cover the whole area, we made a narrow (2.5" wide) edge trim that looks similar to the type in some production aircraft. This solved the varying windshield positions. Several changes were made to the padding along the edge. An internal structure made of foam and sheet metal was designed to provide a flat vertical surface with much more area. A half inch layer of visco elastic foam was attached to the new wider edge. This resulted in a padded edge that was much more effective. The attachment method was changed as well. Instead of using fasteners that relied on adhesive, we used threaded inserts and machine screws on the underside of the glareshield.
Another consideration was the material to be used for covering. We wanted to avoid vinyls because of the potential for out gassing chemicals near the windshield which can cause hazing. Durability is another consideration. Materials laying flat in direct sun light can shrink or become brittle. We have changed materials several times for various reasons, but feel that the material we use now is the best option available. It features a matte finish. It is thin and light weight. The face material is urethane based so there is virtually no out gassing, and it is very stable dimensionally. Like our other materials, it is tested and certified to meet FAA flammability requirements. Unfortunately the material is fairly expensive, but when used only for the edge trim, a relatively small amount is needed.
The glareshield can be ordered with just the edge trim by itself, or the edge trim and some additional material to cover the remaining area. Many customers simply paint this area flat black to match the color of the edge trim. The advantage of this approach is less expense, less weight, and greater durability.
Prices
| RV-03014 |
RV-7/9 Glareshield, tipup (trim only) |
$230 |
| RV-03015 |
RV-7/9 Glareshield, tipup (w/material) |
$291 |
| RV-03016 |
RV-7/9 Glareshield, slider (trim only) |
$253 |
| RV-03017 |
RV-7/9 Glareshield, slider (w/material) |
$354 |
Padded Glare Shield Trim |
|
Features
|
- Simple installation
- Attractive french seam
- Visco-elastic foam padding
- Durable material that resists heat and sunlight
|
|
The following items are included
|
- Ready to install glare shield trim
- Mounting hardware
- Hole location template
- Installation Instructions
|
|
