Let’s Install Stained Glass Vinyl on the Sunroof!

Do you like a sunroof in your vehicle? Or do you like the IDEA of having a sunroof in your vehicle? I’m in the latter group. I went years without a sunroof, mainly because most of my vehicles were used and didn’t have one and then there was the extra expense when buying a new one.

When I finally bought a car that had a sunroof, I was thrilled. So upscale I felt! How fun that was going to be! That was until I actually tried to use it on a sunny day. What I discovered was that when the sunshine came in through the sunroof, it always seemed to shine directly on the side of my right eye – whether or not I was wearing sunglasses – making it harder to see where I was going. So…in the almost 17 years that I owned that car; the only time the sunroof was utilized was by my son if he was driving my car.

Another sunroof

Fast forward to last year when I sold that car and bought a new one. The only criterion I cared about with this car was that it had heated seats. None of my previous vehicles had them and since we live in a place that has all four seasons, it was the one thing I wanted. I didn’t even notice that the vehicle had a sunroof until after I decided to buy it. The salesman said it was part of the package. Oh well, I would just keep it closed like I had before. That was my plan until my son sent me the idea of covering the glass with vinyl!

How to make the sunroof better

Step 1 – Measure and cut

You Tube Video

I have a full video on this process on my You Tube channel

Step 2 – Clean sunroof glass

Step 3 – Add water to the vinyl & glass

Step 4 – Install the vinyl

Now it was time to install the vinyl. I sprayed water on about 1/2 of the cleaned sunroof then starting at the driver’s side end of the sunroof, pressed the first part of the vinyl to the glass. As I started moving toward the passenger side, I noticed that the vinyl was crooked, so I removed it and repositioned it to start along one of the long sides first.

As I applied the vinyl, I peeled the backing off a little at a time. I also sprayed the glass and back of the vinyl as I was removing the backing. Working slowly and removing the backing as you go is key to keeping the vinyl from sticking to itself. As I pressed the vinyl to the glass, I used a vinyl tool that is about the size of a credit card, but thicker and more flexible. One of the long ends is covered with a felt-type material to prevent scratching the vinyl. This tool helps smooth out bubbles and water that form when applying the vinyl.

Step 5 – Remove water bubbles

Step 6 – Trim excess vinyl

When all the bubbles and trapped water had been removed, it was time to trim the excess vinyl along the edges. Using the vinyl tool, I made sure the vinyl was tight up to the edges then trimmed the excess using a razor knife.

Finished Sunroof

Thoughts on the project

I wish I had known about this product years ago! I cannot believe how inexpensive and fast it was to change the look and feel of my sunroof. It has made such a difference in my enjoyment of the sunroof! Now, it’s rare for me to have it closed.

Sunroof: Before, during, after

For your convenience

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to order through these links, it will be at no extra cost to you

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