anyone have Rain Guards?

[LMTLMT]

I’m thinking about getting a pair and looking for some feedback.  It’s for a van with manual windows.  

I was in WA last year and it rain every single day lol and I was fogging up in the van either driving or parked.  It’s $59 + shipping from WeatherTech and I consider that an expensive add-on so I’ve been reluctant to make the investment.  However, I’ll be going back to WA later this year and I thought maybe I should just break down and get it.


1. In-Channel or Stick-on’s??? - which is best for manual window vans.  My concern with In-Channel is that it seems it can easily be stolen and also many says it won’t seal the window well when taken off later.  And my concern for Stick-ons is the dirt and grime accumulation over time on the double sided tape and if you have a nice van you are putting adhesive onto the paint.  But the Stick-on’s is cheaper tho.

2.  Are there any advantages for getting the clear or light colored tint ones vs dark limo tint ones?  it seem all the advantage would be the dark tint as it can block the sun as well.  Maybe the colors are all just for aesthetics personal choices thats all. 

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I honestly can't imagine owning a vehicle with out them. They are the very first thing I do to any new vehicle I get. I think the tinted ones are better, light or dark because you can leave the window down a little bit and no one can tell.

Stick ons are also better in my opinion. I had one set of in channel and they'd always pull out or stop the window from going all the way up and preventing it from making a good seal. The stick on tape doesn't accumulate any dirt or grime and if you ever have to take them off or replace them, they adhesive is easy enough to get off with a heat gun or commercial adhesive remover. WD-40 works really well for getting sticky residue off.

If I could only do one thing to a vehicle it would be a toss up between a vent fan or rain guards. Best two things are rain guards and a vent fan in my opinion, really transforms the comfort level of a vehicle.

 

[LMTLMT]

^^ Thanks. The Stick-On's, it won't fall off will it lol, also what's the life of the tape? do it need to be changed after a year or so? It seems the tape would be taking a beating from the all the elements.

 

[WalkaboutTed]

We live in Arizona and won't go without rain guards. Not because of our constant heavy rains, but in order to keep the interior below 140F. Just having the windows cracked makes a world of difference.

But, when we have a dust storm and forget to close the windows completely, it's a mess!

 

[GotSmart]

Going on 4 years and the smoked stick on guards are still one of the best things done.  It is up with the roof vent.

 

[SternWake]

I've got 3.5 years on some Stick ons, AVS brand.
I honestly do not use them very often for venting when parked.  I have several computer fans which can exchange all the air inside every few minutes if required.  
I use tight fitting reflectix panels in the front 3 windows, so with them in place very little air gets through anyway. 
 I really like the extra sun shading they provide for driver and passenger seats, and slightly lessened wind noise on the highway, and less air hitting back of window frame when at speed.
The Trick to getting the stick on ones to stay is proper prep work of the paint.  I scrubbed with denatured alcohol on a clean section of napkin several times,  and applied them in 70 degree heat, and used a rubber roller to really press down the flange.  Mine are not going anywhere without a  tool worked in between to pry them apart.
I can't see the tape, I have no idea if the edges of it are dirty.
Only thing I dont like is my trangular 'wing' windows can no longer  be turned all the way around to scoop in air when moving forward.  I actually waffled on installing them over this loss of function.  Decided if it really was a huge negative in use, I would cut them just enough to allow the wing window to turn farther out.
 But got over it, installed them,  rarely ever miss the loss of function,  and now would not be without.

 

[towhee]

My old pickup truck came with them. They lasted at least 15 years. The plastic cracked and came apart before the tape failed.

 

[LMTLMT]

awesome to hear the tape last longer than the guards! seems Stick-On's are the popular choice here and i'm leaning towards it.

 

[Trebor English]

The price of $59+ seems high. Search some more. You might find them for half that.

 

[Almost There]

I've had AVS ,in-channel smoked rain guards on for just over a year now. Absolutely  no trouble at all with them.

The secret to getting the in channel ones to behave is to follow the instructions to the extreme.

Mine came with a small heavy duty cleaning pad to clean the channel. That and several blue shop towels along with some vigorous scrubbing of the channel until no dirt at all was coming off on the towels. Probably took me a half hour for each window.

Then apply the rain guards, close the window carefully and, like the instructions say, leave the window closed for 24 hours.

I wouldn't be without them!

 

[eDJ_]

If you haven't owned a hightop yet you'll be in for a surprise the first time it's raining hard and you open the door to get out.  The rain blowing against that high top comes straight down and there just isn't enough "rain gutter"  to keep all of that water off you.   If it's a driving rain hitting the side you are wanting to exit from,
you will get drenched.

I once saw a guy who had a truly odd solution to the gutter issue which were made from thin aluminum and were calked with clear silicone RTV after being installed to the upper portion of the door frame at the roof line.
Said he used a sheet of poster board from a Dollar Tree store to lay out his pattern with.  Very simple.

These are about 3 1/2 inches wide. 

V shaped relief's have to be cut out on the outside edges to allow for a smooth bend.  Then a piece of solid
sheet is traced against the outer wall and cut out and formed to fit the outer wall and stiffen it after RTV is applied.   Once dried a piece of 2X4 is used for a brace so small holes can be drilled through the wall so that
pop rivets can be used to make that outer wall of the gutter strong.  

What he made didn't seem to interfere with the opening and closing of the door.   He had RTV cemented the
aluminum to the upper door frame  before drilling and pop riveting the sheet to it. 

Just thought I'd mention this for the benefit of those with high top Vans.  

I think I'm going to make some for my rig when the weather warms up.