What Causes a Car Sun Visor to Lose Its Elasticity?
3 Answers
Car sun visors lose their elasticity due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Sun Visor: A sun visor is designed to block glare from the sun, preventing its direct impact. Some visors can be adjusted back and forth to control the intensity of sunlight on the eyes, reducing the risk of accidents and providing effective cooling. They can be used both indoors, such as in cars, and outdoors. Sun Visor Cleaning and Maintenance: Stored panels should not come into direct contact with cement floors. Avoid placing heavy objects directly on the panels, and do not let sharp or hard tools touch them. Do not use alkaline substances or cleaning agents incompatible with polycarbonate to clean the panels. For small panels, use a neutral detergent (e.g., ethanol, ethane, or butyl cellulose) with a sponge or soft cloth to wipe them, then rinse with clean water. For larger panels, use a high-pressure water hose to rinse them with clean water. Avoid direct contact between the panels and incompatible chemicals.
After driving for so long, I've encountered the issue of a sun visor losing its elasticity, mainly due to the aging and weakening of the spring. Daily use leads to severe wear, and the spring loses its tension. Sometimes, dust accumulates in the mechanical structure, causing it to jam, or screws become loose, making it difficult to rotate. Last summer, my car had this problem, and the sunlight coming in was uncomfortable for my eyes. I took it apart to clean, removed the dirt, and the spring regained some elasticity, but it soon failed again. I recommend not forcing it to prevent damaging internal parts. If the problem persists, visit a professional repair shop for inspection—they can replace the spring or the entire sun visor. Use gentle movements during daily use and clean the gaps regularly to prevent dust intrusion, which can extend its lifespan. A malfunctioning sun visor is not a minor issue; it affects driving safety and should be addressed promptly.
When I first started learning about cars, the insufficient tension of the sun visor really frustrated me, making me think a major repair was needed. Later, I learned the reasons could be fatigue of the internal spring from long-term stretching, making it softer; or dust clogging the shaft, causing sluggish rotation; or possibly loose fixing screws leading to structural instability. Once, I tried to figure it out myself and found the spring covered in oil stains—cleaning it improved the situation slightly. In emergencies, I used small cloth strips to prop it open, which was quite inconvenient. New car owners should be careful not to pull too hard, as it can worsen the problem. Just take it to a repair shop for diagnosis—it's simple and quick. In daily use, keeping the sun visor dry and clean, and avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures can help reduce such issues.
