Applying tint films to your car windows has many advantages like reduced glare and protection from UV rays. Read this guide to learn more about car window tinting, its advantages, types, and more useful information.
Car Window Tinting Guide
Why Tint Your Car Windows?
These are the reasons to tint your vehicle windows.
Blocks UV Rays
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause health problems if you’re exposed to them more often. Exposure to UV radiation is a risk factor for skin cancer as the rays penetrate the skin cells and damage the DNA in cells.
Moreover, UV radiation can also cause premature aging, wrinkles, thickening of the skin, and other skin problems. Cataracts and eye damage are also seen due to the UV rays of the sun.
People who drive are exposed to the sun and the harmful effects of UV rays. Tint films are made to block UV rays. Some types can even block 99% of UV rays and help you prevent the health problems caused by UV radiation.
Reduces Heat
Car window tints can reduce heat inside your car and keep it cooler in summer. This happens because tints block UV rays that cause a car a heat up. You won’t need to wait for your car to be cooled down before you can drive if your car has tinted windows and windshield.
Moreover, it can increase the efficiency of your car’s AC as well because you won’t need to always keep it on or keep it at maximum settings.
Maintains Privacy
Tints allow you to darken the tints a bit making it harder for people to peek into your vehicle. This helps in keeping your privacy inside the car.
Increase Security
Tinted car windows can’t stop a break-in, but they make it difficult for thieves to look inside the car for valuable items. Thieves, usually, break into cars in which they can see items they can sell for good money. So, tinted can reduce the risk of break-ins a bit.
Shatter Protection
The side windows of cars are usually made of tempered glass that breaks into smaller round pieces to avoid injuries. Some high-end models have laminated side windows in addition to laminated windshields that prevent a window from shattering.
So, if your car has tempered glass side windows, you can install tints over them to make them nearly shatter-proof while getting enjoying all the other benefits of tints.
Disadvantages Of Car Window Tints
Reduced Visibility At Night
Although tints reduce glare in the daytime, they can reduce visibility at night for some people. Less visibility can increase the risk of an accident. So, make sure you get tint with the tint darkness that is fine for you at nighttime as well.
Legal Issues
Tinting your car windows is legal in most states. However, each state has rules regarding how dark your window tints can be. To avoid fines, research the local tinting laws before tinting your car windows.
Requires More Care When Cleaning
If you get car window tints, you can’t clean your car windows similar to how you were cleaning them before. Typical car window cleaners have ammonia in them that can damage window tints. So, you must only use ammonia-free cleaner. Moreover, you will need to be careful with the brush and cloth you choose for wiping the window to avoid scratching the tints. Moreover, if you have paint protection film Springfield installed on your car, you should also use mild cleaner for the car’s body as well.
Types Of Vehicle Window Tints
After deciding that you want to install tints on the car’s windows, you should know about the different kinds of tints you can get.
Dyed Car Windows Tints
These are basic window tints that are made with different dyed layers. You can avail the benefit of privacy and somewhat heat reduction with these tints. However, they don’t block UV rays well enough. They cost the lowest and are a good start for car owners who want to try tinted windows without spending too much money.
Metalized Tints
These tints have metal particles infused into the film for better protection against UV radiation. Due to the metal elements in it, windows tinted with metalized tints produce more shine and make the windows more durable and scratch-resistant.
A big disadvantage of metalized tints is that the metal particles can interrupt wireless signals as well.
Hybrid Tints
These tints are a combination of dyed and metalized tints. This makes them a better option than metalized and dyed tints because they cover the weakness of both. Hybrid tints can interfere with wireless signals as well but the interference is lower than with metalized tints. These tints cost lower than metalized tints, but more than dyed tints.
Carbon tints
Carbon tints have carbon fiber particles that provide excellent insulation properties and keep your vehicle cool in summer. Moreover, they are more effective in blocking UV rays than dyed, metalized, and hybrid tints. However, carbon tints also cost more than these tinting options.
Ceramic Tints
They are the gold standard of car window tinting and block 99% of UV radiation. Moreover, their insulation properties block heat as well. The ceramic particles also make windows shatter-proof keeping you and your family in an unfortunate event. Ceramic tints can reduce glare without you having to choose too dark tints. The disadvantage of these tints is that they cost the most out of all types of tints.
Lifespan Of Auto Window Tints
The longevity of tints depends on a few factors like the type of tint, installation, and maintenance.
If installation and maintenance are excellent, standard window tints will last for 5 years while high-quality tints will wear out slowly and last for more than 10 years.
However, the installation also impacts the longevity of your tints. Even if you choose high-quality tints, if they are improperly installed, the tint films can show bubbles or peel off.
Similarly, if the tints are installed fine and they are high-quality, but the maintenance is ignored, they will peel off much sooner than you would expect.
Tint Percentage Or VLT
VLT (Visible Light Transmittance) means how much percentage of light can pass through the window. A lower VLT percentage means darker tints. A VLT of 0% means completely dark tints while 100% VLT denotes that the tints are completely clear. VLT is referred to as tint percentage as well.
Car Windows Tints Installation Process
- When you visit a tint shop, you will need to select the type of tint, tint percentage, and other things.
- Once you leave the car with the installer, they will prepare the windows by cleaning them with special cleaners.
- Then, the installer will measure the windows of your vehicle and ensure the perfect fitting of the tint films. After this, the films will be cut. This step may be a little different for pre-cut tints.
- When everything is ready, the installers to applying the tints.
- After the application, the tints will be left for curing.
- When you’ll arrive, the installer will give you some instructions like don’t roll down windows for 2-7 days, don’t wash the car for the same amount of time, and a few other things.
Conclusion
Car window tints can reduce glare and block UV rays. However, you should know the tinting laws of your state before installing tints. And choose high-quality tints and a certified auto tint shop Springfield to ensure that the tints last for 5-10 years.