Car window deflectors, or ventshade vent visors, are designed to help shade the driver from the sun’s harmful rays. Also, the visors are a good deflector for rain and hail. The visor deflects wind, making the vehicle travel a little easier at high speeds. The visors are usually black in color, however, they can come in any color you want to match your vehicle.
Whether the visor is mounted on the door shell or inside the window channel, the visor helps by keeping the cab comfortable for the driver and passengers. As you drive down the road, you can lower the window to where the visor is still covering the window and allow air to flow through the cab of the vehicle. Plus, when it is raining outside, you can still lower the window some to get some fresh air into the cab without getting wet.
When installing the ventshade vent visors, do not install them with the backing tape completely exposed. This creates problems with installation and can make it difficult to move the visor if placed in the wrong position. This could also damage the door insert lining or paint on the exterior of the door as the visors are moved after sticking down into place.
Part 1 of 2: Installing the ventshade vent visor
Materials Needed
- Alcohol wipes or swabs
- Vehicle chalk (white or yellow)
- Razor blade safety knife
- Scuff pad
Step 1: Park your vehicle on a flat, hard surface out of any dust blowing area. Make sure that the transmission is in park (for automatics) or in 1st gear (for manuals).
Step 2: Place wheel chocks around tires remaining on the ground. Engage the parking brake to keep the rear tires from moving.
Installing ventshade vent visor on the outside of the door:
Step 3: Take the vehicle to a car wash or wash the vehicle yourself. Use a towel to dry off all of the water.
- Note: Do not apply wax to the vehicle if you are putting vent visors on the door shell. The wax will not allow the sticky double sided tape to stick to the door and it will fall off.
Step 4: Place the ventshade vent visor up against the door. Use a vehicle chalk to mark the location of the visor when you are satisfied with where you want to place it.
- Note: If you are working on a white vehicle, use the yellow chalk, and if you are working on a yellow vehicle, use the white chalk. All other vehicles, use the white chalk.
Step 5: Slightly go over the area where the visor will be installed with a scuff pad. This scuffs up the paint just a little to allow a rough area and a good seal.
Step 6: Swab and wipe off the area with an alcohol wipe. Make sure that you use an alcohol wipe only and not any other cleaner.
Step 7: Take the ventshade vent visor out of its package. Peel up about one inch of the end coverings of the double sided sticky tape.
Step 8: Place the visor onto the door. Make sure you put the visor exactly where you want it.
Step 9: Grab the back of the peeled-up covering and take it off. The peeling is only about 3 inches long.
Step 10: Grab the front of the peeled-up covering and peel it off. Make sure that you pull down and away on the peeling.
This keeps the tape from sticking to the peeling.
- Note: Do not let the peeling break off, so take your time. If the peeling breaks off, you will need to use your safety knife to remove the peeling.
Step 11: Take off the outside covering to the visor. It is the clear plastic that protects the visor during shipment.
Step 12: Wait 24 hours. Let the ventshade vent visor sit for 24 hours prior to operating the window and opening and closing the door.
Installing ventshade vent visor on the window channel inside the door:
Step 13: Take the vehicle to a car wash or wash the vehicle yourself. Use a towel to dry off all of the water.
- Note: Do not apply wax to the vehicle if you are putting on vent visors on the door shell. The wax will not allow the sticky double sided tape to stick to the door and it will fall off.
Step 14: Slightly go over the area with a scuff pad where the visor will be installed. This remove any debris from the plastic liner in the door.
If your door has no plastic liner, then the scuff pad helps scuff up the paint, making a rough area and allowing a good seal.
Step 15: Take off the outside covering to the visor. It is the clear plastic that protects the visor during shipment.
Step 16: Take an alcohol wipe or swab and wipe off the area. Make sure that you use an alcohol wipe only and not any other cleaner.
This removes any additional debris on the window channel and makes a clean surface for the sticky tape to seal against.
Step 17: Take the ventshade vent visor out of its package. Peel up the end coverings of the double sided sticky tape about one inch.
Step 18: Place the visor onto the door. Make sure you put the visor exactly where you want it.
Step 19: Grab the peeled-up covering on the back and take it off. The peeling is only about 3 inches long.
Step 20: Grab the peeled-up covering on the front and peel it off. Make sure that you pull down and away on the peeling.
This keeps the tape from sticking to the peeling.
- Note: Do not let the peeling break off, so take your time. If the peeling breaks off, you will need to use your safety knife to remove the peeling.
Step 21: Roll up the window. After you have installed the ventshade vent visor, you need to roll up the window.
Make sure that the window is up against the visor. If the window has a gap between the visor and the glass, use a lint-free cloth to help fill the gap. This is usually done on older vehicles that have loose windows.
Step 22: Wait 24 hours. Let the ventshade vent visor sit for 24 hours prior to operating the window and opening and closing the door.
- Note: If you installed a ventshade vent visor and made a mistake and want to remove the visor, then you will need to remove it as soon as possible. Use your safety razor knife and slowly scrape off the double-sided sticky tape. To install another one, clean off the tape residue and proceed with the preparation to install a second visor or additional tape. The tape is used only once.
Part 2 of 2: Test drive the vehicle
Step 1: Roll the window up and down at least 5 times. This ensures that the ventshade vent visor remains in place when the window is moving.
Step 2: Open and shut the door with the window down at least 5 times. This ensures that the visor stays on during the impact of the shutting door.
Step 3: Put the key into the ignition tumbler. Start the engine up and drive the vehicle around the block.
Step 4: Check the ventshade vent visor for any vibrations or movement. Make sure that you can roll up and down the window with no problems.
If, after installing a ventshade vent visor, you notice that the window switch is not working or there is other trouble with your windows, have one of YourMechanic’s certified technicians come to your home or business and perform an inspection.
