Sunstrips

A sunstrip is a vinyl band across the top of the windscreen that cuts glare from low sun and carries a name or design. Strictly Static print their own designs, such as Kanjo, Tropical Flowers and Worldwide; Visual Impact Graphics make universal strips with names such as Audi, Ford RS, Bilstein and Honda Racing.

How to choose

• Size: Strictly Static strips are about 140 x 28cm with room to trim each end. Visual Impact Graphics strips are 25cm deep and curved to follow the screen, in 140, 150 or 160cm lengths: measure your screen and pick the closest.
• Colour: Visual Impact Graphics strips come in black or white, many also in matt. The Strictly Static 2016, 2017 and Worldwide strips let you pick both the strip and the print colour, including glitter and oil slick prints.

Good to know

• Clean the glass with a product from Glass Cleaners and fit on a dry, mild day: cold or damp glass stops the adhesive bonding. Strictly Static warn that screen wash alcohol can damage the vinyl over time.

Are sunstrips legal in the UK?

Yes, as long as the strip stays out of your view of the road. The DVSA MOT inspection manual (section 3.1, field of vision) treats an obstruction that significantly affects the driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen, the part the wipers clear, as a major defect, which fails the test. Outside the swept area it is a minor defect. So fit the strip above the top of the wiper sweep, and check the view from the driver's seat before you press it down.

Related: Car Style & Scene Accessories, Car Decals, Slap Stickers. Popular brands here: Strictly Static, Visual Impact Graphics.