The IceRays field guide
Practical answers for your day
Start with your usual clothing and movement. These practical answers help you prepare for the day.
Start before you turn the key
Put your sleeves on while the car is parked, then settle into your seat and check that you can move comfortably. Do not adjust clothing, spray a sleeve or search for a dropped item while driving. If you need to change something, stop in a safe place first. A familiar routine is easier to remember than a last-minute scramble: keys, sunglasses, water and the arm cover you intend to wear.
Keep a clean pair where you will see it before a trip. Give it a separate pouch so it is not rubbing against tools or sharp items in the glove box. At the end of the day, take damp sleeves indoors and follow their care label rather than leaving them bundled up in a hot car.
Which arm faces the window?
In a typical Australian right-hand-drive vehicle, the driver's right arm is closer to the side window. In a typical US or Canadian left-hand-drive vehicle, it is the left arm. Passenger exposure is different, and the sun's direction changes along the route. Imported vehicles and unusual seating positions are another reason to look at your own setup rather than relying on a slogan.
A pair contains two sleeves, so you can cover both arms without deciding which will be in direct light later. Check the gap between your shirt sleeve and arm sleeve, and remember that the backs of your hands are separate from your arms. Hand coverage must allow a secure grip and comfortable use of the vehicle's controls.
Glass is not all the same
A windscreen and a side window do not necessarily provide the same ultraviolet protection. Cancer Council explains that UVA transmission varies with glass and any film applied to it. That does not mean every window passes every type of UV, or that every short drive creates the same exposure. The duration of a journey, direction of sunlight and whether the window is open all matter.
If you spend long periods driving, consider the vehicle and your personal sun protection together. Ask a qualified installer about the UV performance of an existing film. Follow the relevant road rules for any proposed tint. We do not recommend a particular tint percentage or claim that sleeves replace a compliant vehicle treatment.
Choose comfort without a distraction
Try your sleeves with the shirt you normally drive in. Hold the steering wheel with the car parked, reach towards the indicator and check your arm movement. The fabric should sit comfortably without being pulled to its limit. If the band feels too tight or the fit is uncertain, ask IceRays for advice before buying another pack.
The window-side arm is only one part of the picture. A hat, sunglasses, suitable clothing and sunscreen on exposed skin may still be relevant when you stop or leave the vehicle. Choose accessories that are appropriate for driving and do not obstruct your view. A product's arm coverage is not a promise about every exposed area.
Tint, sleeves and the stop along the way
Vehicle film stays with the car; sleeves can go with you when you get out. These options answer different practical questions and can complement each other. A long-sleeve shirt may be the simplest choice for you, while separate sleeves can be convenient if you move between indoor and outdoor places in short sleeves. There is no need to turn that choice into a contest.
Plan a break on a long journey and keep drinking water available. If your sleeve becomes uncomfortable, stop safely and remove or adjust it. We do not claim a sleeve can prevent heat illness or make a hot vehicle safe. Comfort and the UV protection rating are different subjects.
The window-side arm on a long drive
On a long country drive or a daily commute, the arm beside the side window can sit in the same patch of sunlight for an hour or more. Resting an elbow on the door, or driving with the window down, puts that arm in direct sun. Most car glass blocks nearly all UVB. Side windows are usually not laminated like a windscreen, though, and can let more UVA through, depending on the glass and any film. A cool cabin does not tell you how much UV is reaching your skin.
If you drive the same route at the same time each day, notice which side the sun is on. Morning and late-afternoon sun comes in low through the side windows, where the sun visor does not reach. That is when a sleeve on the window-side arm makes the most sense.
Driving for work and the passenger seat
Delivery and ride-share drivers can spend most of the day behind the wheel. Keep a pair in the door pocket or console, put them on when you park, and take them off at the next stop if you are heading indoors. If you often have the window down for deliveries or drive-through counters, that arm gets more direct sun than it would behind closed glass.
Passengers on a long trip sit beside side windows too, often with the opposite arm against the glass. A long-sleeve shirt, sleeves or a window shade suited to the vehicle can each help. Check the road rules before fitting anything to the front side windows.
Questions and answers
Which arm is beside the driver's window?
Usually the right arm in an Australian right-hand-drive vehicle, and the left in a US or Canadian left-hand-drive vehicle. Check your own vehicle. A pair contains two sleeves; put them on while parked.
Does car glass block UV?
Most car glass blocks nearly all UVB. A laminated windscreen also blocks most UVA, while side windows often let more UVA through, depending on the glass and any film. Covering the window-side arm is a simple step on long drives.
How many sleeves make a pair?
One pair contains two sleeves. A four-pair pack contains eight sleeves.
What size are IceRays?
One size fits all adults. Contact IceRays if you would like help with putting them on or checking comfortable movement.