Hail protection for moonroof

[ericjkelly]

Hey guys!

I know there was a post on this in 2005, just curious if anything has been updated?

I am buying a new vehicle to chase with, and it has a moonroof.

What can I do to protect it? I may try to make something for the roof rack to protect the moonroof, but is there something I can put directly on the moonroof?

 

[Robert Edmonds]

The moon roof I had could take a beating with a car I sold long ago. If you're just somewhat cautious about avoiding the really big stuff I would think you're fine. Although maybe someone who has actually broken a windshield could chime in, who also had a moon roof. I've never broken a window in over a decade of chasing (probably just jinxed myself there). I did make something to go over the moon roof on the old car I had, but it never really saw any 'action'.

 

[STexan]

I would think a good, heavy film applied to the outside would add considerable impact strength. I'd go to a reputable auto/home window tinter and ask them if they have any recommendations. Perhaps a material like they used to use on cell phone screens before they went to touch screens if you could find some big enough. Barring that, the only other option is a screen barrier somehow mounted above which may or may not be practical.

There are a number of 3M films here but there are other options out there and I suppose you could get the glass replaced with a ultra-strength, near bullet-proof plexi-glass

A film may not be ultimate protection against breakage, but it should at least allow you to be able to continue on home safely without getting the inside drenched.

 

[Ric Burney]

I covered the moon roof on my old ride with an old security window made of chain link and steel frame. It was then sided with 1" gas (iron) pipe attached to the roof rack rails. Hard to see in this pic but the front of the guard is suspended above as the entire guard is cantilevered in place. The two pipes run the full distance from the back end of the rack all the way to the front of the guard.
This setup was a little bit heavy due to the weight of the gas pipe which was much more resistant to bending as other materials such as conduit or copper pipe. It held up very well to large hail on many occasions.

 

[Dave Chapman]

I lost a moonroof on 5-23-11. All it took was one tennis-ball size hailstone hitting near a corner of the roof. Now I keep it protected with several layers of duct tape, in a criss-cross pattern, covering a piece of fairly thin yoga mat.

Since my 4Runner is silver/grey, it's hardly noticeable. Only drawback is that it needs replacing half-way through the season.