Does Frame Get Hot in Sun?

[rider]

When the car is parked in hot sun for a couple of hours, does the frame get too hot to touch? When getting out, I’m guessing you’ll need to place your hands on the frame, inside and outside, to lift yourself up, step on the seat, all the while keep a hand on the outside frame for balance? Similarly, you’ll place a hand on the outer frame to support yourself as you step on the seat to lower yourself?

This is a practical scenario: When out on a drive on a nice, warm/hot day, park for a couple of hours for lunch in sun. How you all handling it?

Similar experience: Last week, I had a chance to drive a Seven 420R. The ambient was about 70F/21C. The leather transmission tunnel cover got super hot. No, not from transmission, but from sun! The areas of the tunnel cover which were covered by the hand, while driving/shifting, were cool to touch. The areas exposed to sun were too hot to touch! While getting in, I had to ask the owner to get me a piece of rug to place on it so that I can place a hand to lower myself in. Contrary to many reports, I didn’t find any heat issues at all, in pedal box, transmission tunnel, from exhaust, etc. Caterham allegedly started doing the right thing by adding heat insulation!

Thanks.

[Sledgehammer]

Hi, i use a Cover for parking in the sun.
viewtopic.php?t=15964

[Sledgehammer]

Stored behind the passenger footrest.

[rider]

Thanks, @Sledgehammer . Would you happen to have a picture with the cover on? So, you never tried parking without the cover?

Here is another similar data point: In both my Spyders, I've this aluminum shifter:

981 Spyder Classic Shift Knob 3.jpg (4.02 MiB) Viewed 4882 times

When parked in sun, even for an hour or so, with the top down, the shifter gets too hot to touch. So, I put a rug on it to cover. If I forget, I'll need to use a rug or something to shift! So, the entire aluminum frame should get super hot. I would imagine, placing the arm on the inside frame is a no-go! Have seen a picture of someone attached a padded trim piece for resting arm.

[Sledgehammer]

I take some pictures tomorrow, the seat is getting very hot in the sun, the frame is not a problem. I cover the car even in a parking garage, after i found 2 Guys sitting in my car when i came back.

[K20A2]

I use a fitted sheet to cover both seats.
Cheap, covered in seconds, easy to store and clean and available in any colour

[rider]

.........the seat is getting very hot in the sun, the frame is not a problem. ...........i found 2 Guys sitting in my car when i came back.

Yeah, I thought about seats too. Do they get hotter than leather seats? So, the frame isn't getting hot?

Too bad about morons getting in the car; they are everywhere! Think about custom-fitting an alarm. The detection should criss-cross the interior. Wish there is a legal way to trigger a low-grade electric shock to f'ing morons who try to get in......!

I use a fitted sheet to cover both seats.
...........

Good idea. So, you don't find the frame getting hot?

[K20A2]

My frame is coated dark grey and my bolted rollbar is black. None of them is getting hot in the sun.

My seats (bench) are covered with imitation leather and like the original unvovered ones they get too hot to jump in within less than 5 minutes.

[mypresenttome]

Hi, i use a Cover for parking in the sun.
viewtopic.php?t=15964

I had one of those when I had my first Atom but sold it with the car when I got my Nomad, 1 year later I was back in an Atom wishing I had kept it.

Would be up to get another if they would still do a run for similar money

[Sledgehammer]

Here the pics, i dont know where to buy....it got it with the car

[rider]

....... original unvovered ones they get too hot to jump in within less than 5 minutes.

Surprised to hear the frame doesn't get hot. However, I'm bit shocked to hear the seat gets too hot in less than 5 minutes! Leather surfaces are notorious for getting hot in just a few minutes as well. That's why I'm a huge fan of alcantara/suede. Love them in Spyders. Make a massive difference in heat and cold.

Here the pics, i dont know where to buy....it got it with the car

Thanks Sledgehammer (like the name!); appreciate it. I can make one from a custom upholstery shop. However, I don't think I would want such a full-size cover. Putting it on every drive at every stop in the sun will get old real fast! I don't think my girl will tolerate it either! I would make one just for the cabin. Should take about a minute on and off. By the way, love the red frame! That's an option I'm considering if it matches the eventual body color (whatever I end up choosing).

[autobackup]

My Atom is in Cyprus where the temperatures this year have regularly exceeded 40°C.

I have velcro pads on the seats which don't seem to get too hot and I've never found the frame has been too hot when levering myself in or out!.

However driving it is another matter as the seat quickly becomes a sauna which can result in a sweaty/soggy backside - I have the full windscreen fitted because driving it the heat with the aero screens fitted is like driving into a blast furnace and it also means I can safely dispense with using a helmet.

When the fan starts up (usually in traffic) it can get positively breathless!

[PhilM]

I've left mine out all day in the sun on a 28 degrees day and didn't notice anything particularly hot. To be honest you don't need to touch the frame to get in or out, just use the side of the fibreglass seat, which doesn't get hot.

[rider]

..........

However driving it is another matter as the seat quickly becomes a sauna which can result in a sweaty/soggy backside - I have the full windscreen fitted because driving it the heat with the aero screens fitted is like driving into a blast furnace and it also means I can safely dispense with using a helmet.

When the fan starts up (usually in traffic) it can get positively breathless!

This is interesting; so, the seat gets hot when you're seated and driving? I would think most of the seating area would be covered by your body. But, your back isn't totally covering the back area. So, that gap alone and the whatever bottom parts of the seat exposed, heat it up? Wow, that doesn't sound comfortable! And, when you mentioned "breathless", do you mean "suffocating from hot air"? Or, refreshing, cooling air?

I've left mine out all day in the sun on a 28 degrees day and didn't notice anything particularly hot. To be honest you don't need to touch the frame to get in or out, just use the side of the fibreglass seat, which doesn't get hot.

Good to know the Frame isn't an issue with respect to heat. I didn't know you don't need to touch the frame for support for ingress/egress. I've never even seen an Atom in person let alone try getting in and out! So, yeah, I really need to touch and feel to get an idea; and, drive just a bit before committing!

[autobackup]

Rider

It's nothing whatsoever to do with the seat getting hot - it's ME getting hot and sweating buckets down my back onto the seat!

- have you ever driven a 'naturally' air-conditioned open topped car in 40°C (104°F) I can assure you that the over temping is nothing to do with the car per se!

By breathless I mean that the air blowing at you when driving in 40°C is so hot that it's almost too uncomfortable to breathe.

You simply end up sitting in a soggy pool of your own secretions!