I've seen a lot of videos on how to make stealth window coverings and yours is probably the best one of them all. You take the time to explain very clearly in detail each step of the process and the materials to use before you even start it. Even though these window coverings take longer to make they will give you the insulation you need. Very well done! Looking forward to seeing your other how to videos.
@@timdillen OK, so I was wondering this as well -- do you also use these in summer? You don't find the black fabric absorbs the heat? I LOVE your videos and the look and practicality of these!!!
I like most of the people who have committed on your window coverings have watched many videos. However I'm going to make these for my Honda element. I feel confident that these will be what I've been looking for. Thanks so Much I'll post after I'm finished Thanks so much.
Just about have these finished. Your video has been an absolute godsend. Ive been really scared to start living in my car but now that I have these just about finished I can see how much of a difference they'll make in privacy/stealth for me.
Knocked out the 1st of 5 covers tonight using this method. Can't thank you enough for taking the time and being thorough with the concept. Keep up the good work! Subscribed.
Great! I have received some great feedback from the covers. The first one is the most time consuming, the other ones go quicker. Thanks for letting me know and for watching!
Absolutely the 'best' window covers that I've seen anyone make on TH-cam! Thank you for such a great and thorough tutorial! These window covers will be a blessing during cross country car camping trips.. Thank you again :)
Thank you for your kind comments! I have gotten some good feed back on these. I have greatly enjoyed mine in both winter and summer. Hope they work well for you too.
Best design I've found. I went with 3/4 insulation board to keep things simple. Also, tried sewing to increase durability. That was not fun. Next time I'd go with upholstery staples as that's what they're for.
This video is INSANELY descriptive of even the slightest details! I returned faric I bought because of a similar video but never took condensation into account. I now have the vinyl fabric and have made good progress. This takes much longer than I imagined but my 2014 Outback has a lot of windows. Thank you I can’t wait to finish!
Thank you! It really does take a lot of time. The last few go a lot faster once you get your technique down. I have enjoyed mine for both summer and winter and they are still holding up well. I hope you will enjoy yours as well. Thanks for your post!
Great video. I never thought of using coriplast this way. Im going to use your process for our travel trailer. Hot glue? Not so much. A very hot car will melt the glue. Use 3M spray adhesive and gorilla glue instead or sew the edges.
I want to make these for my 1999 Audi A6 Avant Quattro. If you remove the rear seat cushion, the seats fold flat and the cargo space is big enough to lay down a twin futon between the wheelwells. (I've moved one of the tall Ikea bookshelves, assembled.) It's a great road trip car and being able to car camp would make traveling very economical.
I really admire your step by step instructions! You are an excellent teacher and certainly very resourceful in solving the problems of stealth van dwellers. I enjoyed watching how you went about doing this project even though I don’t own a Prius. The idea is applicable to any vehicle. Thanks very much for your idea and how to implement it! Vicki
Thank you for your kind comments. I have had some nice feedback from people who made for other vehicles (Tesla, Honda Fit). It’s takes some time and dedication but the results are worth it. I’m glad you found the videos helpful. Thanks for watching!
Alright dude here’s your “Seven figure idea”. You are the nomad to window insulation as weather tech is to floorboards You have impeccable design and manufacturing techniques. “Here’s your sign.”
Hehe thanks! Your timing is perfect. I am wrapping up a new version of this video for camper and RV windows that has streamlined the process for those type windows and additional information on reflectix and tips to make them more seamless. No template. Subscribe if you haven’t already as I hope to post soon. Thanks for you great comment!
This is awesome! I have custom-made reflectix coverings for my Honda Odyssey and the tripping point for me was to have them be blacked out! So this is going to work awesome! 💜
Glad you are finding it helpful. I did an updated series on the inserts which might give you some ideas for simplifying the construction. th-cam.com/video/NUvz1XcEe20/w-d-xo.html
After several different Vids for window covering both bought and self made. Your method is the Very Best with Great Professional Results . GREAT JOB THANKS for SHARING !!!! :)) NEW SUB and I cannot wait to begin BINGE WATCHING for your OTHER IDEAS. HAPPY SAFE TRAVELS. !!!
Thanks for your awesome comments and encouragement! The window covering have been built by many and I have received good comments like yours. Mine are still going strong. Thanks for subscribing!
Excellent video. I'm in Virginia and want to be an east coast van dweller. I've watched several videos on blacking out the windows but yours is the best. Keeping heat in during winter months in my Town & Country was weighing heavy on my mind. Your method is perfect as it raises the R value of the Reflectix. Thank you. I'm looking forward to watching more of your work. Subscribed. 😊👍
Thank you for your kind comments and for subscribing. I leave these in all year. I find they help keep the heat out as well even though they are black on the outside. The heat does not pass through. I did 2 other videos on things to do to keep warm . You may have already seen them: th-cam.com/video/zuWWopNofBQ/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/SjLD3bRfglk/w-d-xo.html
PriusStealthCamper Adventures. Thank you for the links. I watched both of them. Didn't know it's possible to add house insulation to the vehicle walls. I'm going to look closer at my van walls. Still looking forward to watching more that you've posted!
Now I "get it". You mentioned previously about keeping the interior temps more uniform to reduce the car engine starting while urban camping so less people notice. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial! Much better then the black poster board I previously used. That worked also temporarily but after a few weeks it started to deteriorate from regular use and I can see the benefit of insulation on the windows. I will also look into getting some of the "damp rid" stuff someone else commented on.
I try to keep very low key so I can park with the other cars at grocery stores, Walmarts, hospitals and Planet Fitness. Let me know how the damp rid works. Thanks for your comments and for watching!
Love these videos... best I have seen on windows!! Can anyone tell me which dept that the blackout material is... I asked in about 4 departments and they looked at me like I had three eyes.
Damp rid I have found doesn't do too much.. it does do "something" but I have 3 medium sized tubs of it in my car and the moisture still builds up too much. I'm considering installing a small vent through the roof of my wagon instead.. alittle more effort and more can go wrong but I'm already had a mold issue and am trying everything now to ensure it doesn't happen again haha. And be careful not to spill the liquid from the damp rid!! The stuff is incredibly difficult to clean! And gets everywhere!!!
This is really great. So simple, but really effective. I especially like the idea of leaving the little flaps to help block any light leaks. It also increases the insulation effect by blocking any random drafts. That's an important consideration in older RVs. I'm pretty sure decorative valances are descended from the same thing.
Great project. I have finished the passenger side doors and they came out quite nicely. I will finish the other five next weekend. Thanks for the informative videos.
If you snip along the edge of the tape and material as you attach to the curve it bends to the shape more easily. Aerosol can adhesive will attach to reflectix when it becomes tacky and pressure is applied once pieces join the shape will not be a square or deformed. The flap is a very good idea. I certainly will give this a go.
The only thing I would change, is instead of glue, I’d use 3M Adhesive spray, but definitely going to use this method to make my window covers. Thanks for such a great tutorial.
Great job of showing how to make a good heat reflective blackout window covering. I've watched many videos talking about how and what to use but this is the best and looks like the easiest. Going to give this a try on my Transit van build, thanks.
Just finished for my model s, happy with the results. Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial, i'm generally not very good with this kind of thing but instructions were spot on. Couldn't find good fabric at the walmart here, so had to go to Joann's fabric. Definitely learned quickly to error on the side of larger when cutting the inside fabric, to get those light gaps covered. Probably unnecessary but at some point will probably add tinting to help hide the fabric just a bit more. Will have to test how much energy is used heating overnight now that these are all done. I'm guessing it will save us several kwh overnight even though the front windows & windshield are still going to be uncovered. Thanks again!
That's awesome! I'm so glad you were able to make them. I have really enjoyed mine and they keep me comfy. Hope yours will too! Thanks for your comments!
Just finished a week-long trip in North Carolina with the new setup. At a low of 18f, used 7.5kwh to keep at 68 for 9 hours. One night we even forgot to turn on heat and slept fine until waking up at 430am with cold feet and turned on the heat. For reference used about the same energy to keep the cabin warm when it was low 40's before insulation. I am pretty sure the windows are now better insulated than the rest of the vehicle. Just about every morning there was ice on the other side of the insulation, but the inside didn't feel cold at all.
Thought maybe running the heater all night with fan would prevent moisture build up, but with the ice building up between the insulation and the window i'm guessing not. Still didn't see front windows fogging up, so don't know. Will have to do more/longer trips to determine if moisture becomes a problem. But that doesn't really have anything to do with the insulated window coverings, which worked great. thanks.
I was going to skip the corriplast but decided after watching your video a couple times, I think I better make sure I have it, I have enough of the reflectix so I am ok there.
I tried some time ago to just go with the Reflectix and it worked for a couple weeks but then I noticed that it started curling up and the edges no longer held the insert in. I think the edges get broken down and they just don't seal in like they were when they were new. The corriplast will solve that problem.
I have the same fabric as a cover for my bed only I got the gray color, now I can go and get more of the same color thanks for the tip. I can also get the black for the outside and gray on the inside.
Awesome! They take a bit of a time commitment but are really useful to make the interior comfy in both winter and summer. Thanks for you kind comments and for watching!
...and one viewer had a great idea for larger windows. Spray some windex on the inside of the larger windows to hold the paper in place while you make the pattern. Haven't tried that but might be helpful to you.
First off excellent video!!! The best on TH-cam!!! Have you ever considered for the black outer fabric purposely leaving a 1/4 inch "lip and glueing and sewing that lip? The reason for the lip alleviates two things. First its a natural tab to pull the shield off but more importantly eliminate any light leakage coming from the outside.
Great idea! The lip would help because there always it that tiny little spot where light sneaks in. I tried to learn how to use a sewing machine - messed up the bobbin part over and over and ended up with the needed through my finger. These would look better sewn but I'm a disaster with it.
Thank you! I made an update to this series if you have mostly square windows like an RV with radius corners or a residential window. The update is a bit more streamlined and has some more construction tips. th-cam.com/video/NUvz1XcEe20/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for sharing but I’m having a heck of a time getting the glute to stick to either side of this fabric. It peels off once the sun heats it up. It peels off fabric to tape. Fabric to fabric. I’ve even tried gorilla glue and it peels off. Any advise?
I am glad I found this *before I attempted to make coverings. I do have a dilema. I have been out 10 days where it was 38° night and 80° day. Well i am one to stay up half the night and sleep till noon. I needed to vent my covers and window. Cracked window and bent covers on 2 ↖️X↗️sides. How wld you make a triangle to vent?? I figure make 2 inserts for 1 window then maybe glue a flap when both done to each piece out of just vinyl. What you think.?
Can these these made for the windshield and the large back windows also? If not, what would be best to block those out? Thanks for the great video! Also, can anyone recommend an alternative black outer cloth if I can't find the exact one used here?
I'm accumulating the materials for making my window covers and am using your example except I'm using a light colour on the inside to make it feel brighter inside my sienna .
Very neat and I can see me doing this . But what about the large rear window? The one on my car is pretty big and one of these cover maybe too big to be effective.
mydogstar Thanks for checking on me. I have been trying to get my website going and it is taking a lot longer than I thought. Google is not indexing it. Errrr. I also start a new job next week so that will take some time. I look forward to getting back at it and doing some travel. Take care.
Glad you're ok. The Google gremlins work overtime sometimes, but you can sneak by when they're busy elsewhere. Good luck. Looking forward to your next video.
Thank you! I work in healthcare in physical therapy so I teach people how to walk again. I enjoy sharing fun DIY projects and hope that they inspire people to try new things and see that it's OK to make mistakes. Glad you liked the video - thanks for your kind comments.
Can you provide more information on the fabric/vinyl you used from Walmart? I don't see anything locally, that looks like what you are using. Very informative video, and such a better insulator package than a simple layer of reflectix stuck on a window. I intend to use your tips and tricks to do the same window insulators for my RV when I take it hunting. I used a boat load of propane this past Nov and I think the cost of this over time will pay me back in less heating cost. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you! I am loving my inserts this cold winter. They are great insulators. Here is the info you requested. I updated this series for RVs that make the process easier: th-cam.com/video/NUvz1XcEe20/w-d-xo.html Walmart Material: At store bar code: 48580210161 Online *I think this is the material - not 100% sure*: Walmart # 571225833 www.walmart.com/ip/Ottertex-Canvas-Fabric-Waterproof-Outdoor-60-wide-600-Denier-Many-Colors-sold-by-the-yard-Black/543662949?variantFieldId=actual_color This is something on Amazon but I don't know if is exactly the same as from Walmart: www.amazon.com/Amerbelle-American-Denir-Canvas-Fabric/dp/B00PMAOHRK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1548759417&sr=8-7&keywords=black+canvas+outdoor+fabric
starting to get the materials together for this project. At the end of the video you talked about the insert warping over time--how long do you find the inserts maintain their shape? Have you considered a more robust core material than the vinyl? Perhaps sintra?
The bow works out ok. After a few months of heating/cooling, the large pieces will tend to bow inward a bit. All I do is swap it with the matching one on the opposite side of the car and then the bow is into the window. I have same material on both sides. I do like the corrugated plastic as it is very sturdy and does not absorb water. I am sure there are other materials that would work - let me know if you run across one.
Loved the videos you put together for this project, gave me the confidence to make my own, so thank you! One thing I wanted to know thou was does it hurt any of the heat "reflection" by covering up the reflex on the exterior side of the cover? I thought it being silver was the whole point? Thank you!
I have been trying to figure out this window covering thing and this is the best video yet! Say, do you think that limo tinting the sides (not the back) would do the same thing? Do you know if limo tinting would have the same effect, not being able to see light inside the car at night? For safety, I wouldn't tint the back. Love all your Stealth Prius videos. Thanks for all you do!
Mary Vought Glad you found the video helpful! The limo tint does block a lot of light but at night, if you have a light on, people will still be able to see someone is inside. Thanks for watching.
Window tint will most likely block someone from seeing you inside but if you have lights on or a tablet going that effect diminishes. I have 5% tinted windows and my issue was having parking lot lights shining in all night through the tint.
So from a real life experience perspective, how effective are these window covers? Do they make it so you can hang out in your van comfortably while it's 120 degrees F out and you're parked under the sun? How warm does the inside of your van stay when it's 11 degrees F outside?
I parked my car in a parking garage (out of the sun and wind) with an ambient temperature of 32F. I warmed my car up to 70F with no window inserts and timed how long it took to drop down to 60F. Roughly 1 hour. I did the same test with these same inserts shown and it increased the time an average of 15 mins. There's many factors that can change the outcome of this but I tried. I'm not sure about summer yet.
Wouldn't leaving one side reflectix be a good idea? Then you could use the heat absorbant black side pointed outwards during winter time, and the light reflective reflectix pointed outwards during summer time. That way your heater/AC doesn't need to work quite as hard.
Who said refectix was light reflective? It's a insulator. Look at the picture on the packaging. All of the uses are for the interior of the house. It's not reflecting any sun. A car can have black tinted windows and still be cooler in the summer time. Putting black on the outside of the privacy screens will make your cars windows look tinted.
During the Winter no, during the summer.... could be debatable. You are super insulating your window so the heat shouldn't make it inside. Just my opinion though.
Thanks! Have you since thought of any upgrades to the covers? I’m about to make some for the two front windows (after successfully following your instructions for the other windows), and wanted to know before I invest the time. The other covers came out well. I do have a problem with the hatch cover falling down constantly, not sure what I did wrong, but I use a telescoping rod (a teacher’s pointer) bought on Amazon to prop it up.
The back window is a bit tricky. The shrink/swell in the summer makes the back window wedge lose over time. I ended up getting a flat aluminum rod (the one I used for the privacy curtain - Lowes) and placed the rod across the insert on the inside (from side of window to side of window) so it would hold the insert in place. It worked perfectly but I had to bend the ends and place one screw on each side and screw into the plastic window surround. Two small holes but that was the sacrifice to keep the insert in place and keep from any bowing. I was afraid to wedge the rod into the surround as it was up against the glass and I was afraid a hard bump might break the glass. I leave the back windows insert in permanently and rely on the backup camera. I ended up not placing anything in the front window (I do have a sun shade just to hold back some direct sun heat during the day) then at night I pull across my curtain. That way people can see through the front of the car and assume there is no way a body could fit in the rest of the car. It makes for quite a convincing illusion. Hope that helps.
PriusStealthCamper Adventures Very interesting. A permanent insulated insert held in place sounds much better and more private than propping it up with a telescopic pointer. The big cover is the hardest to put in place too, so it’s nice not to have to worry about it falling down. The pointer I’m using is somewhat weak, so I’m not too worried about a break in the glass, but it does have to be placed on the floor (which restricts mobility)...so I’m constantly paranoid that it will fall during the night if I knock it over with my leg. Did you use any particular length or type screws in the surrounding plastic? I’d be worried about the hold of the screws on the plastic, but I don’t know how thick the plastic is. Is one metal strip enough (I assume at the center) to hold things in place or would two strips (one at top and bottom) or three be better?
A single aluminum bar is working fine for me - running from side to side, placed about mid way from top to bottom. The plastic is not thick, a 1" wood screw will work fine. The bar I got from lowes is a flat bar less than 1" wide, I can't remember how long I got mine. I cut the length by just repeatedly bending the rod until it fatigued and snapped.
I really wanted to take off the door panels as they were colder than the window inserts. I was just concerned about removing the panels and breaking them. I searched everywhere for a video on how to do it and could not find one. I did not want to have to buy an expensive panel because I did it wrong. I did find a video of someone removing the rear hatch so I felt pretty safe with that one.
PriusStealthCamper Adventures The only people who would know about taking off door panels would be Toyota garages. Maybe taking them off to insulate them might invalidate the warranty?
@@liadbar-el8570 Nice post. However, one concern is about moisture that will get inside the door chasm and how that will affect added insulation. Apparently, once you pop off the door plastic covers, there is a physical layer of plastic sheeting that acts as a moisture barrier that protects the inside of the car.
Very nice window insert..... Wonder if a fusible material like "Stitch Witch" would adhere the fabric to the reflectix.....? Did you try it? Great video. Thanks.
Hehe - they do take a bit of time to make. After the first one they go a good bit faster. Your Jeep will make a great go-anywhere camper. Thanks for watching!
Hi, great video, gonna makes these for car camping :) Question, how is condensation going with these? Is there damp between your window covers and the window itself? because you can't crack a window at the same time right? I wonder how other people do this during winter time..... Hope you can help me.
This is a great video. Very detailed. Can I ask if there's a way to make the window cover "fold" like a regular car window cover, especially the windshield?
Wonderful! I already did your curtain in my Isuzu trooper build, so this will be the final back hatch and rear windows. I'm going to do the same method you did but add decorative fabric to the inside panel. Any tips for that? Just fabric glue?
Awesome! The back hatch is a bit of a pain. It will depend on your angle. The Prius is very tilted so the insert kept falling out (heating and cooling with sun). I ended up getting another aluminum rod like for the curtain. I bent it into an arc, bent the corners, drilled a hole, put the insert in, put the rod across it, and screwed the rod into the plastic surround. 2 more holes but the insert stays put. Gluing with decorative fabric on just the edges will look good if placed vertically. I ended up not being able to use fabric on the inside of the hatch. I just painted with matt black Plasti-dip spray paint. The fabric would billow down and take up space. If you spot glue then it will billow where there is no glue. You could try spray adhesive - just make sure it can take high heat without giving out - might see if rated for automotive use.
@@timdillen I was wondering about that... With the rod in place, is it easy to remove the back hatch window insert for when you drive? Also, I find that my fabric doesn't hold the gorilla glue so well on one of the sides. Are you having to periodically perform touch up maintenance on your window inserts?
@@dancereaper I usually just leave the back one in all the time. I have a back up camera and it works pretty well. I usually also leave the other ones in most of the time so I have not really had trouble with them coming unglued. You might experiment with other types of glue and see if they work better. Let me know if you find one that is better.
Possibly, I used gorilla glue. A hot glue gun dries quicker and is easier to work with. The gorilla glue took several hours to dry making the process a little more difficult but I think will hold up better over time.
Same problem I had with the Prius. I had to take a aluminum strip from lowes and bend a gentle arc in it (used a large propane tank). I then bent the ends and put a screw through the ends into the plastic surround. Hated to do it but could not find a way to keep the insert from constantly falling out. The bow in the rod keeps the insert snug against the window. The rod is on the inside so it never touches the glass. That will fix it if you don't mind 2 small screw holes in the trim.
great ideas! Thank you from Canada 🇨🇦
hmmmm how many times can you LIKE a video??? I've watched this series many times....thanks soooooo much again!!!
Awesome! So glad you are enjoying them. Thanks for your great comment and for watching!
I watch it sometimes to fall asleep
I've seen a lot of videos on how to make stealth window coverings and yours is probably the best one of them all. You take the time to explain very clearly in detail each step of the process and the materials to use before you even start it. Even though these window coverings take longer to make they will give you the insulation you need. Very well done! Looking forward to seeing your other how to videos.
Thank you for your kind comments. Glad you are enjoying the videos. I have really enjoyed these inserts in the summer and winter. Thanks for watching!
I like this one for $240 a.co/26b00be
Agreed. I’m curious will it be okay just use the reflective material without the white board?
I agree, also any that I have read or been told. And I've lived in RVs, boats, trailers, and tiny homes my whole life.
@@timdillen OK, so I was wondering this as well -- do you also use these in summer? You don't find the black fabric absorbs the heat? I LOVE your videos and the look and practicality of these!!!
I like most of the people who have committed on your window coverings have watched many videos. However I'm going to make these for my Honda element. I feel confident that these will be what I've been looking for. Thanks so
Much I'll post after I'm finished Thanks so much.
I've found that spray adhesive sticks to Reflectix just fine. 😉
Just about have these finished. Your video has been an absolute godsend. Ive been really scared to start living in my car but now that I have these just about finished I can see how much of a difference they'll make in privacy/stealth for me.
Knocked out the 1st of 5 covers tonight using this method. Can't thank you enough for taking the time and being thorough with the concept. Keep up the good work!
Subscribed.
Great! I have received some great feedback from the covers. The first one is the most time consuming, the other ones go quicker. Thanks for letting me know and for watching!
Best video for how to create stealth windows. Highly recommend
The corrugated vinyl is also called corriplast and is used for election signs and is in great abundance for free after elections.
Absolutely the 'best' window covers that I've seen anyone make on TH-cam! Thank you for such a great and thorough tutorial! These window covers will be a blessing during cross country car camping trips.. Thank you again :)
Thank you for your kind comments! I have gotten some good feed back on these. I have greatly enjoyed mine in both winter and summer. Hope they work well for you too.
Best design I've found. I went with 3/4 insulation board to keep things simple. Also, tried sewing to increase durability. That was not fun. Next time I'd go with upholstery staples as that's what they're for.
This is the BEST video I've ever seen on window coverings for privacy. I'm making these for my next camping trip. Thank you!!!
Absobloominlutely AWESOME.
Thank you so much!
This video is INSANELY descriptive of even the slightest details! I returned faric I bought because of a similar video but never took condensation into account. I now have the vinyl fabric and have made good progress. This takes much longer than I imagined but my 2014 Outback has a lot of windows. Thank you I can’t wait to finish!
Thank you! It really does take a lot of time. The last few go a lot faster once you get your technique down. I have enjoyed mine for both summer and winter and they are still holding up well. I hope you will enjoy yours as well. Thanks for your post!
Michael, can you give the brand and/or purchase location for the fabric you used? Thanks
This is great mate 👍 I am going to use this 5 layers for my cam-er windows 👏👏
Great video. I never thought of using coriplast this way. Im going to use your process for our travel trailer. Hot glue? Not so much. A very hot car will melt the glue. Use 3M spray adhesive and gorilla glue instead or sew the edges.
The corrugated vinyl is called Corflute in Australia and is sold at Bunnings. (For all us Ozzies)🙂
I want to make these for my 1999 Audi A6 Avant Quattro. If you remove the rear seat cushion, the seats fold flat and the cargo space is big enough to lay down a twin futon between the wheelwells. (I've moved one of the tall Ikea bookshelves, assembled.) It's a great road trip car and being able to car camp would make traveling very economical.
I really admire your step by step instructions! You are an excellent teacher and certainly very resourceful in solving the problems of stealth van dwellers. I enjoyed watching how you went about doing this project even though I don’t own a Prius. The idea is applicable to any vehicle. Thanks very much for your idea and how to implement it!
Vicki
Thank you for your kind comments. I have had some nice feedback from people who made for other vehicles (Tesla, Honda Fit). It’s takes some time and dedication but the results are worth it. I’m glad you found the videos helpful. Thanks for watching!
Alright dude here’s your “Seven figure idea”. You are the nomad to window insulation as weather tech is to floorboards You have impeccable design and manufacturing techniques. “Here’s your sign.”
Hehe thanks! Your timing is perfect. I am wrapping up a new version of this video for camper and RV windows that has streamlined the process for those type windows and additional information on reflectix and tips to make them more seamless. No template. Subscribe if you haven’t already as I hope to post soon. Thanks for you great comment!
This is awesome! I have custom-made reflectix coverings for my Honda Odyssey and the tripping point for me was to have them be blacked out! So this is going to work awesome! 💜
Best design out of 14 videos I watched
Glad you liked it and thanks for your kind comment!
I reeeeeaaaaallllly appreciate this tutorial. I will be using it for stealth reasons on my minivan. Bless you for helping us!
Glad you are finding it helpful. I did an updated series on the inserts which might give you some ideas for simplifying the construction. th-cam.com/video/NUvz1XcEe20/w-d-xo.html
After several different Vids for window covering both bought and self made. Your method is the Very Best with Great Professional Results . GREAT JOB THANKS for SHARING !!!! :)) NEW SUB and I cannot wait to begin BINGE WATCHING for your OTHER IDEAS. HAPPY SAFE TRAVELS. !!!
Thanks for your awesome comments and encouragement! The window covering have been built by many and I have received good comments like yours. Mine are still going strong. Thanks for subscribing!
Excellent video. I'm in Virginia and want to be an east coast van dweller. I've watched several videos on blacking out the windows but yours is the best. Keeping heat in during winter months in my Town & Country was weighing heavy on my mind. Your method is perfect as it raises the R value of the Reflectix.
Thank you. I'm looking forward to watching more of your work.
Subscribed. 😊👍
Thank you for your kind comments and for subscribing. I leave these in all year. I find they help keep the heat out as well even though they are black on the outside. The heat does not pass through. I did 2 other videos on things to do to keep warm . You may have already seen them: th-cam.com/video/zuWWopNofBQ/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/SjLD3bRfglk/w-d-xo.html
PriusStealthCamper Adventures. Thank you for the links. I watched both of them. Didn't know it's possible to add house insulation to the vehicle walls. I'm going to look closer at my van walls.
Still looking forward to watching more that you've posted!
IMO, with the window inserts in it helps warm your car/van up quicker as well.
Now I "get it". You mentioned previously about keeping the interior temps more uniform to reduce the car engine starting while urban camping so less people notice. Thank you so much for your excellent tutorial! Much better then the black poster board I previously used. That worked also temporarily but after a few weeks it started to deteriorate from regular use and I can see the benefit of insulation on the windows. I will also look into getting some of the "damp rid" stuff someone else commented on.
I try to keep very low key so I can park with the other cars at grocery stores, Walmarts, hospitals and Planet Fitness. Let me know how the damp rid works. Thanks for your comments and for watching!
Love these videos... best I have seen on windows!! Can anyone tell me which dept that the blackout material is... I asked in about 4 departments and they looked at me like I had three eyes.
Damp rid I have found doesn't do too much.. it does do "something" but I have 3 medium sized tubs of it in my car and the moisture still builds up too much. I'm considering installing a small vent through the roof of my wagon instead.. alittle more effort and more can go wrong but I'm already had a mold issue and am trying everything now to ensure it doesn't happen again haha. And be careful not to spill the liquid from the damp rid!! The stuff is incredibly difficult to clean! And gets everywhere!!!
This is really great. So simple, but really effective. I especially like the idea of leaving the little flaps to help block any light leaks. It also increases the insulation effect by blocking any random drafts. That's an important consideration in older RVs. I'm pretty sure decorative valances are descended from the same thing.
Great project. I have finished the passenger side doors and they came out quite nicely. I will finish the other five next weekend. Thanks for the informative videos.
Awesome! Glad they are working out for you!
Double sided tapes also works very well
You are very good at explaining this by the way.
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the videos.
FANTASTIC !!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏 VERY VERY HELPFUL !!!
Thank you and thanks for watching!
This is a great idea for a log cabin window.
Glad you liked it - thanks for your comment and for watching!
If you snip along the edge of the tape and material as you attach to the curve it bends to the shape more easily. Aerosol can adhesive will attach to reflectix when it becomes tacky and pressure is applied once pieces join the shape will not be a square or deformed. The flap is a very good idea. I certainly will give this a go.
All great tips - thanks for posting!
Excellent - thanks; very well described, and much better fit than have seen elsewhere
Linda Peterson Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
Really great tutorials you've been putting out. Thank you for sharing with us.
JustPeg Glad you enjoy them. Thanks for watching!
This is by far the best way I have seen to do this.
Thank you! Mine have held up very well for over a year. Work great in the summer as well. They take some time to make but worth the effort.
Best hack I’ve seen! thanks for sharing 🖖🏼
You do a great job of explaining every single step. Thank you so much for sharing your well thought out projects.
Thank you for the kind comments. I try to make it simple so other people like you can make them successfully. Thanks for watching!
The only thing I would change, is instead of glue, I’d use 3M Adhesive spray, but definitely going to use this method to make my window covers. Thanks for such a great tutorial.
tip: use a s silver sharpie / marker on the black vinyl. Nice DIY way to blackout / insulate. Excellent advice
That's a great idea! It really was hard to see with the black. Thanks for posting this and for watching!
Great job of showing how to make a good heat reflective blackout window covering. I've watched many videos talking about how and what to use but this is the best and looks like the easiest. Going to give this a try on my Transit van build, thanks.
Awesome! Let me know how they turn out.
It's been 3 years. I'd like to know how the window covers hold up over time to moist and usage?
We made them. In our camper atleast the fabric started to disintegrate after two years. We had to throw them away. But it did last for two years.
THANK YOU FOR THIS PERFECT VIDEO. THEEE BEST. Thank you.
If your blackout fabric frays, you can use Fay Check to avoid having to fold it over.
Nice job. Thanks😉
Excellent video. A suggestion for tracing for the vinyl could use a silver sharpie instead :)
Thank you! Your idea would have worked better!
White chalk. It will disappear later.
Just finished for my model s, happy with the results. Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial, i'm generally not very good with this kind of thing but instructions were spot on. Couldn't find good fabric at the walmart here, so had to go to Joann's fabric. Definitely learned quickly to error on the side of larger when cutting the inside fabric, to get those light gaps covered. Probably unnecessary but at some point will probably add tinting to help hide the fabric just a bit more.
Will have to test how much energy is used heating overnight now that these are all done. I'm guessing it will save us several kwh overnight even though the front windows & windshield are still going to be uncovered. Thanks again!
That's awesome! I'm so glad you were able to make them. I have really enjoyed mine and they keep me comfy. Hope yours will too! Thanks for your comments!
Just finished a week-long trip in North Carolina with the new setup. At a low of 18f, used 7.5kwh to keep at 68 for 9 hours. One night we even forgot to turn on heat and slept fine until waking up at 430am with cold feet and turned on the heat. For reference used about the same energy to keep the cabin warm when it was low 40's before insulation. I am pretty sure the windows are now better insulated than the rest of the vehicle. Just about every morning there was ice on the other side of the insulation, but the inside didn't feel cold at all.
Thought maybe running the heater all night with fan would prevent moisture build up, but with the ice building up between the insulation and the window i'm guessing not. Still didn't see front windows fogging up, so don't know. Will have to do more/longer trips to determine if moisture becomes a problem. But that doesn't really have anything to do with the insulated window coverings, which worked great. thanks.
Very cool! Thanks for the detailed info. I'm really glad the inserts worked out well for you and kept you comfy.
Brilliant! Thank you for this!
This is great. I’m going to give it a try
I was going to skip the corriplast but decided after watching your video a couple times, I think I better make sure I have it, I have enough of the reflectix so I am ok there.
I tried some time ago to just go with the Reflectix and it worked for a couple weeks but then I noticed that it started curling up and the edges no longer held the insert in. I think the edges get broken down and they just don't seal in like they were when they were new. The corriplast will solve that problem.
Very well done!
Very good explanation of your process. Thanks!
Dannie N You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
great job and thank you for being a great teacher.
Thanks for your great comment. Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!
I have the same fabric as a cover for my bed only I got the gray color, now I can go and get more of the same color thanks for the tip. I can also get the black for the outside and gray on the inside.
That would look great!
Wow ... great idea, and beautifully executed. Thanks for doing this. I'm going to do something like this for my Sienna conversion.
Awesome! They take a bit of a time commitment but are really useful to make the interior comfy in both winter and summer. Thanks for you kind comments and for watching!
...and one viewer had a great idea for larger windows. Spray some windex on the inside of the larger windows to hold the paper in place while you make the pattern. Haven't tried that but might be helpful to you.
First off excellent video!!! The best on TH-cam!!! Have you ever considered for the black outer fabric purposely leaving a 1/4 inch "lip and glueing and sewing that lip? The reason for the lip alleviates two things. First its a natural tab to pull the shield off but more importantly eliminate any light leakage coming from the outside.
Great idea! The lip would help because there always it that tiny little spot where light sneaks in. I tried to learn how to use a sewing machine - messed up the bobbin part over and over and ended up with the needed through my finger. These would look better sewn but I'm a disaster with it.
Another amazing video
Thank you! I made an update to this series if you have mostly square windows like an RV with radius corners or a residential window. The update is a bit more streamlined and has some more construction tips. th-cam.com/video/NUvz1XcEe20/w-d-xo.html
@@timdillen I really appreciate that
Awesome video. You are skilled my friend.
Thank you for your kind comments - glad you found it helpful!
Thanks for sharing but I’m having a heck of a time getting the glute to stick to either side of this fabric. It peels off once the sun heats it up. It peels off fabric to tape. Fabric to fabric. I’ve even tried gorilla glue and it peels off. Any advise?
I am glad I found this *before I attempted to make coverings. I do have a dilema. I have been out 10 days where it was 38° night and 80° day. Well i am one to stay up half the night and sleep till noon. I needed to vent my covers and window. Cracked window and bent covers on 2 ↖️X↗️sides. How wld
you make a triangle to vent?? I figure make 2 inserts for 1 window then maybe glue a
flap when both done to each piece out of just vinyl. What you think.?
Can these these made for the windshield and the large back windows also? If not, what would be best to block those out? Thanks for the great video!
Also, can anyone recommend an alternative black outer cloth if I can't find the exact one used here?
I'm accumulating the materials for making my window covers and am using your example except I'm using a light colour on the inside to make it feel brighter inside my sienna .
Awesome! I bet they will look great - let me know how they turn out.
Well done!, thanks
Very neat and I can see me doing this . But what about the large rear window? The one on my car is pretty big and one of these cover maybe too big to be effective.
Hey, you OK? Nothing for more than a week and that's unusual. Not nagging for a video, but concerned. Love your channel.
mydogstar Thanks for checking on me. I have been trying to get my website going and it is taking a lot longer than I thought. Google is not indexing it. Errrr. I also start a new job next week so that will take some time. I look forward to getting back at it and doing some travel. Take care.
Glad you're ok. The Google gremlins work overtime sometimes, but you can sneak by when they're busy elsewhere. Good luck. Looking forward to your next video.
To see better, use silver inked sharpie marker when writing on black stuff.
Good idea! Black on black is hard to see. Thanks for posting this.
Thank you. That was the most wonderful teaching video that I have ever seen! Are you an educator by any chance?🙂
Thank you! I work in healthcare in physical therapy so I teach people how to walk again. I enjoy sharing fun DIY projects and hope that they inspire people to try new things and see that it's OK to make mistakes. Glad you liked the video - thanks for your kind comments.
...excellent video,very informative,thank you...
Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!
Really great explanation. Well done.
Thanks! They take a bit of time to make but worth the effort.
Can you provide more information on the fabric/vinyl you used from Walmart? I don't see anything locally, that looks like what you are using.
Very informative video, and such a better insulator package than a simple layer of reflectix stuck on a window. I intend to use your tips and tricks to do the same window insulators for my RV when I take it hunting. I used a boat load of propane this past Nov and I think the cost of this over time will pay me back in less heating cost.
Thanks for posting this.
Thank you! I am loving my inserts this cold winter. They are great insulators. Here is the info you requested. I updated this series for RVs that make the process easier: th-cam.com/video/NUvz1XcEe20/w-d-xo.html
Walmart Material:
At store bar code: 48580210161
Online *I think this is the material - not 100% sure*:
Walmart # 571225833
www.walmart.com/ip/Ottertex-Canvas-Fabric-Waterproof-Outdoor-60-wide-600-Denier-Many-Colors-sold-by-the-yard-Black/543662949?variantFieldId=actual_color
This is something on Amazon but I don't know if is exactly the same as from Walmart:
www.amazon.com/Amerbelle-American-Denir-Canvas-Fabric/dp/B00PMAOHRK/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1548759417&sr=8-7&keywords=black+canvas+outdoor+fabric
starting to get the materials together for this project. At the end of the video you talked about the insert warping over time--how long do you find the inserts maintain their shape? Have you considered a more robust core material than the vinyl? Perhaps sintra?
The bow works out ok. After a few months of heating/cooling, the large pieces will tend to bow inward a bit. All I do is swap it with the matching one on the opposite side of the car and then the bow is into the window. I have same material on both sides. I do like the corrugated plastic as it is very sturdy and does not absorb water. I am sure there are other materials that would work - let me know if you run across one.
Nice job! Very informative!
Thank you! Glad you found the video helpful and thanks for watching!
Thank You Perfect timing 👍
Thank you! Glad you found it helpful. I use them everyday and have been holding up well. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Great job, great idea, thank you!
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for you kind comments and for watching!
Thanks so much!
Could use a silver or gold marker on the black material - easier to see
Use 3M #77 spey adhesive.
That's what I'm using. Great stuff.
@@w.patpeters4643 instead of hot glue for gluing fabric?
instead of the hot glue for gluing the fabric down?
@@emilyvelush9590 I've used both
Loved the videos you put together for this project, gave me the confidence to make my own, so thank you! One thing I wanted to know thou was does it hurt any of the heat "reflection" by covering up the reflex on the exterior side of the cover? I thought it being silver was the whole point? Thank you!
nice work, thank you for this.
I have been trying to figure out this window covering thing and this is the best video yet! Say, do you think that limo tinting the sides (not the back) would do the same thing? Do you know if limo tinting would have the same effect, not being able to see light inside the car at night? For safety, I wouldn't tint the back. Love all your Stealth Prius videos. Thanks for all you do!
Mary Vought Glad you found the video helpful! The limo tint does block a lot of light but at night, if you have a light on, people will still be able to see someone is inside. Thanks for watching.
Window tint will most likely block someone from seeing you inside but if you have lights on or a tablet going that effect diminishes. I have 5% tinted windows and my issue was having parking lot lights shining in all night through the tint.
Brilliant! Thank you!
Susan Eastwood Glad you liked it! Thanks for your kind comment and for watching!
So from a real life experience perspective, how effective are these window covers? Do they make it so you can hang out in your van comfortably while it's 120 degrees F out and you're parked under the sun? How warm does the inside of your van stay when it's 11 degrees F outside?
I parked my car in a parking garage (out of the sun and wind) with an ambient temperature of 32F.
I warmed my car up to 70F with no window inserts and timed how long it took to drop down to 60F. Roughly 1 hour.
I did the same test with these same inserts shown and it increased the time an average of 15 mins.
There's many factors that can change the outcome of this but I tried.
I'm not sure about summer yet.
Great video!
Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Wouldn't leaving one side reflectix be a good idea?
Then you could use the heat absorbant black side pointed outwards during winter time, and the light reflective reflectix pointed outwards during summer time. That way your heater/AC doesn't need to work quite as hard.
Who said refectix was light reflective? It's a insulator. Look at the picture on the packaging. All of the uses are for the interior of the house. It's not reflecting any sun. A car can have black tinted windows and still be cooler in the summer time. Putting black on the outside of the privacy screens will make your cars windows look tinted.
Does covering the reflective material diminish the effectiveness of reflectix?
During the Winter no, during the summer.... could be debatable. You are super insulating your window so the heat shouldn't make it inside. Just my opinion though.
Thanks! Have you since thought of any upgrades to the covers? I’m about to make some for the two front windows (after successfully following your instructions for the other windows), and wanted to know before I invest the time. The other covers came out well. I do have a problem with the hatch cover falling down constantly, not sure what I did wrong, but I use a telescoping rod (a teacher’s pointer) bought on Amazon to prop it up.
The back window is a bit tricky. The shrink/swell in the summer makes the back window wedge lose over time. I ended up getting a flat aluminum rod (the one I used for the privacy curtain - Lowes) and placed the rod across the insert on the inside (from side of window to side of window) so it would hold the insert in place. It worked perfectly but I had to bend the ends and place one screw on each side and screw into the plastic window surround. Two small holes but that was the sacrifice to keep the insert in place and keep from any bowing. I was afraid to wedge the rod into the surround as it was up against the glass and I was afraid a hard bump might break the glass. I leave the back windows insert in permanently and rely on the backup camera.
I ended up not placing anything in the front window (I do have a sun shade just to hold back some direct sun heat during the day) then at night I pull across my curtain. That way people can see through the front of the car and assume there is no way a body could fit in the rest of the car. It makes for quite a convincing illusion.
Hope that helps.
PriusStealthCamper Adventures Very interesting. A permanent insulated insert held in place sounds much better and more private than propping it up with a telescopic pointer. The big cover is the hardest to put in place too, so it’s nice not to have to worry about it falling down. The pointer I’m using is somewhat weak, so I’m not too worried about a break in the glass, but it does have to be placed on the floor (which restricts mobility)...so I’m constantly paranoid that it will fall during the night if I knock it over with my leg.
Did you use any particular length or type screws in the surrounding plastic? I’d be worried about the hold of the screws on the plastic, but I don’t know how thick the plastic is. Is one metal strip enough (I assume at the center) to hold things in place or would two strips (one at top and bottom) or three be better?
A single aluminum bar is working fine for me - running from side to side, placed about mid way from top to bottom. The plastic is not thick, a 1" wood screw will work fine. The bar I got from lowes is a flat bar less than 1" wide, I can't remember how long I got mine. I cut the length by just repeatedly bending the rod until it fatigued and snapped.
PSC Camper Conversions l
Mine fit better in place over time. I ended up gluing two small suction cups in the center.
Great ideas! Thanks. Is there a way of taking off the inside door and body coverings so as to insulate them?
I really wanted to take off the door panels as they were colder than the window inserts. I was just concerned about removing the panels and breaking them. I searched everywhere for a video on how to do it and could not find one. I did not want to have to buy an expensive panel because I did it wrong. I did find a video of someone removing the rear hatch so I felt pretty safe with that one.
PriusStealthCamper Adventures The only people who would know about taking off door panels would be Toyota garages. Maybe taking them off to insulate them might invalidate the warranty?
PriusStealthCamper Adventures look under "sound proofing Prius" in TH-cam.
@@liadbar-el8570 Nice post. However, one concern is about moisture that will get inside the door chasm and how that will affect added insulation. Apparently, once you pop off the door plastic covers, there is a physical layer of plastic sheeting that acts as a moisture barrier that protects the inside of the car.
Probably a long shot - but do you a part # for that black material from Walmart ? Can’t seem to find it there.
Ottertex canvas fabric. waterproof. Outdoor. 60" wide. Denier. $6.99 yard. Many colors. Walmart. #571225824
Very nice window insert.....
Wonder if a fusible material like "Stitch Witch" would adhere the fabric to the reflectix.....?
Did you try it?
Great video.
Thanks.
I used gorilla glue. It took longer to dry but it's pretty strong. I'll have to check out this "Stitch Witch" you speak of.
I wish there were names of the products used.
Can I hire you to make these for my 2016 Jeep Compass high altitude?
Hehe - they do take a bit of time to make. After the first one they go a good bit faster. Your Jeep will make a great go-anywhere camper. Thanks for watching!
Hi, great video, gonna makes these for car camping :) Question, how is condensation going with these? Is there damp between your window covers and the window itself? because you can't crack a window at the same time right? I wonder how other people do this during winter time..... Hope you can help me.
There is a little condensation build up but no different then how much there would be if you slept in your car without these.
This is a great video. Very detailed. Can I ask if there's a way to make the window cover "fold" like a regular car window cover, especially the windshield?
I'm going to try that next.
I think a fold would help maintain the shades shape over time as opposed to rolling it up.
Wonderful! I already did your curtain in my Isuzu trooper build, so this will be the final back hatch and rear windows. I'm going to do the same method you did but add decorative fabric to the inside panel. Any tips for that? Just fabric glue?
Awesome! The back hatch is a bit of a pain. It will depend on your angle. The Prius is very tilted so the insert kept falling out (heating and cooling with sun). I ended up getting another aluminum rod like for the curtain. I bent it into an arc, bent the corners, drilled a hole, put the insert in, put the rod across it, and screwed the rod into the plastic surround. 2 more holes but the insert stays put. Gluing with decorative fabric on just the edges will look good if placed vertically. I ended up not being able to use fabric on the inside of the hatch. I just painted with matt black Plasti-dip spray paint. The fabric would billow down and take up space. If you spot glue then it will billow where there is no glue. You could try spray adhesive - just make sure it can take high heat without giving out - might see if rated for automotive use.
@@timdillen I was wondering about that... With the rod in place, is it easy to remove the back hatch window insert for when you drive? Also, I find that my fabric doesn't hold the gorilla glue so well on one of the sides. Are you having to periodically perform touch up maintenance on your window inserts?
@@dancereaper I usually just leave the back one in all the time. I have a back up camera and it works pretty well. I usually also leave the other ones in most of the time so I have not really had trouble with them coming unglued. You might experiment with other types of glue and see if they work better. Let me know if you find one that is better.
Thanks so much! I better get to work!!!
Hope they work out well for you! Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Would builders level superglue and activator be just as good as a hot glue gun?
Possibly, I used gorilla glue.
A hot glue gun dries quicker and is easier to work with. The gorilla glue took several hours to dry making the process a little more difficult but I think will hold up better over time.
is the black material a landscaping fabric?
How is it in the summer keeping the car cooler
Any suggestions about the rear window of a neon? The slant is insane.
Same problem I had with the Prius. I had to take a aluminum strip from lowes and bend a gentle arc in it (used a large propane tank). I then bent the ends and put a screw through the ends into the plastic surround. Hated to do it but could not find a way to keep the insert from constantly falling out. The bow in the rod keeps the insert snug against the window. The rod is on the inside so it never touches the glass. That will fix it if you don't mind 2 small screw holes in the trim.
Where can I find the fabric you used to cover these? What is it called?