How to choose a tint for car windows

Protecting the car's interior from direct sunlight and heat, as well as from prying eyes, to make your iron horse a little more stylish and attractive in appearance - these are the goals that car toning allows to solve. And even in our country “to roll up the car tightly” outlawed, supporters of reducing the light transmission of car windows are a great many, and all that is needed is to choose the correct tint film.

Best car tinting manufacturers

To choose a tint for a car is really out of what - the huge variety of materials on the market opens up great opportunities for those who decide to change the look of their car. Preference should be given to proven brands, the quality of which is time-tested:

1. Suntek;

2. Oracal;

3. 3M;

4. Ultra Vision;

5. Ilumar;

Technical characteristics of the products of the above brands, as well as reviews of users who used specific models for pasting their car windows, can be studied on the Internet. All the necessary information is presented in full on the official websites of the manufacturer, as well as on thematic forums and pages on social networks.

Types of tinting. Which one to choose?

Tint film is a special multi-layered “sandwich” based on a special polymer base of minimum thickness. Various materials are applied to it, each of which is designed to solve specific tasks - reducing light transmission, reflecting sunlight, and anti-abrasive coating. For reliable fixation on the car glass, a special adhesive substrate is used.

All tint films can be divided into the main types:

Painted non-metallized films

The most budget version of toning, performing an exclusively decorative function. Darkening is carried out by applying a special paint directly on the polymer base and does not imply the presence of metallizing and protective layers.

Virtues

• Suitable for darkening glasses;

• Inexpensive;

• A wide range of colors and percentage of light transmission;

disadvantages

• There is no protection from sunlight and ultraviolet;

• Burn out in the sun;

• Minimum resistance to abrasion;

Metallized films

A more advanced form of tinting, consisting of three main layers of a polymer base, a metallized substrate and an outer protective layer. Aesthetic appearance, UV protection, good resistance to abrasive effects, as well as ease of operation - these are its main advantages.

Virtues

• A variety of colors and sizes of light transmission;

• Scratch resistant;

• Cold metallic tint;

• UV protection and sunlight;

disadvantages

• More expensive non-metallized counterparts;

• They block radio waves;

• Glass coating requires certain skills;

Infinity films

A variation of metallic tinting, characterized by the structure of the layers. The metal layer in them does not fit on the substrate, but directly on the surface itself, which is why, being deposited on glass, the film provides a mirror effect.

Virtues

• Light transmission up to 80-90%;

• Abrasion resistance;

• UV protection;

• A wide range of shades and options in thickness;

disadvantages

• Prohibited by law;

• Require special care;

• Enough expensive;

Athermal films

Metallized models, covered with a special composition that fully reflects the sun's rays. As a result, the car's interior is not prone to heat in the summer heat and does not cool so quickly in winter.

Virtues

• A wide variety of models by the magnitude of light transmission;

• Protected from mechanical stress;

• Eliminate glare and improve visibility while driving;

• Regulate the heat exchange inside the cabin;

• Protect from sunlight and ultraviolet radiation;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Whimsical care;

• Application difficulty;

Tint film selection options

Having decided on a specific type that fully meets the requirements, it is necessary to pay more attention to the technical features of the chosen model.

Features of the choice of a film on color

In addition to the standard black tinting, you can find many different models in the sale, differing in shade, ranging from light brown to exotic variants, like red, yellow and orange. What color to choose depends on the preferences of the car owner and his views on the appearance of the car.

Mechanical protection

The impact on the film is in the process of washing car windows. It is enough to use a sponge with at least a small amount of sand grains - and the appearance of scratches on the film is inevitable. Choose a film that will have a special protective layer that prevents damage, even with strong exposure.

Features of the choice of the percentage of tinted glass

Or the percentage of light transmission, as this term is interpreted by the traffic police. The main parameter, which is responsible for the fact, will fulfill its functions to the full or will be used as a decorative element of the exterior of the car. The light transmittance is measured in percent and the lower this value is, the darker the specific film will be:

1. 0-10% light transmission provides complete isolation from the outside world. From the street, the interior of the car, as well as its passengers, cannot be considered;

2. 10-20% of light transmission provides an opportunity to consider the contours of people in the cabin, as well as general interior items;

3. 30-50% - a film that allows you to see the passengers of the car, the contents of its cabin and everything that happens inside;

4. More than 50% of light transmission is a film that performs an exclusively decorative function, it does not provide protection from prying eyes;

We should not forget about the reverse side of the medal - just as the car passengers are not visible from the outside, the driver sitting inside does not have enough visibility to fully control the situation on the road. And if on a bright sunny day, this circumstance does not play a special role, at night, in order to park, you have to lower the windows of the car. It is for this reason that it is not only advisable to acquire films whose light transmission is less than 10%, but even dangerous.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.