Glare shield - Leather or vinyl?

[MS19087]

After painting flat black, I'm not so crazy about the look/finish. Now considering gluing vinyl (flat black - I have a really nice piece). Any ideas on how this will hold up versus leather?? Ideas?
Thanks!

[lorne green]

When I ordered my Aviator interior Leather package from CAD, I ordered the leather glare shield at that time (delivery date, end of July?). Just thought that a shield of some kind would made the panel a little easier to view. How long will it last over vinyl? I have no idea. I think it should last as long as vinyl. That being said, I'll have my plane in a hanger, so excess exposure will be minimal. Regards.

[Harold Lanfear]

For what its worth, I used carpet in my Kitfox and will likely use it again in the -8 for both the glareshield and floor (I also covered the forward sidewalls in the Kitfox). You can find carpet with about 1/8-3/16" nap in auto electronics stores and some auto stores. This carpet is used for interiors and covering speakers.

The carpet comes in many colors, is easy to put down with velcro, tape or glue and is cheap; and holds up very well. It also is pretty much a surface that you can lay stuff on and it won't simply slide off (probably won't hold your glasses during that wifferdill though).

My 2 cents worth, H

[BlackRV7]

Originally Posted by MS19087

After painting flat black, I'm not so crazy about the look/finish. Now considering gluing vinyl (flat black - I have a really nice piece). Any ideas on how this will hold up versus leather?? Ideas?
Thanks!

Mark, I can't relay much to you on the durability of vinyl but that is what I used on Black Magic and will use again when I get the forward deck installed. With that said, be sure and use a good glue that will hold up to the temps it will see. I got my vinyl and adhesive from a auto trim shop. The glue they recommended is called Jetbond 99 Trim Adhesive. The shop used this glue for attaching vinyl to rooftops..........yes, I guess there are still vinyl tops It is advertised as High Heat Resistance and worked on my ol black airplane........for 49.2 hours

[Webb]

Contact Classic Aero Designs. They have this stuff called (I think) Columbia and it won't shrink or curl in the sun. Glue it down. Looks and feels like leather but won't crack either.

I used it and although not flying yet, looks really good. Get some of the edge pinch stuff too.

[81T]

I think leather is a better choice. Seems to me that there is some issue with vinyl in the sun and gasses it releases and it's affect on the plexi.
Might check with your windshield supplier or Vans.

[videobobk]

I would shoot for the leather--about the same weight and nice smell compared to vinyl. Also, if properly cared for (meaning NO silicones, Armour All, etc) it will last just about forever. Well, a long time anyway. I did my panel in leather and love it. You can always tell 'em it cut your noise level by .002 Db!

Bob Kelly

[N941WR]

I bought a bolt of black loop Velcro and used that. It feels like velvet and works great to hold my GPS and XM antennas, pencils and anything else I put the hook Velcro on.

[mannanj]

Personally, I went for light weight and did a low gloss, not quite flat black. (I think it may have been called "Satin".) Looked much better than flat black. Can't remember the brand, but it worked for me. Got if from the Hardware Store in a rattle can.

[alcladrv]

Myflat black painted glareshield gets almost hot to the touch in direct sunlight. It seems the velcro idea would really reduce the heat buildup. How would the other ideas affect that?