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From: leichter@yale-com.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.physics,net.auto
Subject: Re: SUN FADING AUTO INTERIORS
Message-ID: <1670@yale-com.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 23-Jun-83 13:27:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: yale-com.1670
Posted: Thu Jun 23 13:27:47 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jun-83 21:11:47 EDT
References: ihuxj.189
Lines: 20

3M, I think, makes a plastic coating that can be applied to glass.  It is
specifically designed to keep out IR - which should cool the car down -
but I think it will also screen out some of the UV.  You might get in touch
with an appropriate dealer; while they may not have dealt to much with the
question of protecting car seats, I am sure there is a market for protecting
stuff in store windows...

It's a interesting question, BTW, as to just what in sunlight causes the
fading.  While UV carries more energy, a good fraction of it should be cut
out by the two layers of glass - typically slightly tinted - and a layer of
plastic laminate in safety windows.  I expect that just plain visible light
plays a measurable part in the problem; plus, when the car sits in the hot
sun, the temperature inside goes way up, which can only help to encourage
oxidation.  Also, all the plastic gives off plasticizers, which will settle
on anything inside; and if you smoke in the car...well, what clouds up your
windows also dirties the upholstery.  Combining all these things, while you
can probably slow the fading down somewhat, I doubt that you can stop it
completely.
						-- Jerry
				decvax!yale-comix!leichter leichter@yale