How to choose a tinting for car windows

To protect the car 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 tinting allows you to solve. And although in our country it is illegal to 'roll up a car tightly', there are a great many supporters of reducing the light transmission of car windows, and all that is needed is to choose the right tint film.

The best car tinting manufacturers

There really is a lot to choose from for a car – a huge variety of materials on the market opens up wide opportunities for those who decided to change the look of their car. Preference should be given to proven brands, the quality of which has been tested by time:

1. Suntek;

2. Oracal;

3. 3M;

4. Ultra Vision;

5. Ilumar;

The technical characteristics of the products of the above-described brands, as well as feedback from users who have used specific models for pasting the windows of their cars, 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 toning. Which one to choose?

Tint film is a special multi-layer 'sandwich' based on a special polymer base with a minimum thickness. Various materials are applied to it, each of which is designed to solve specific problems – reducing light transmission, reflecting sunlight, anti-abrasive coating. For reliable fixation on the glass of the car, a special glue substrate is used.

All tint films can be divided into main types:

Dyed non-metallized films

The most budgetary option for tinting, performing an exclusively decorative function. Darkening is carried out by applying a special paint directly to the polymer base and does not imply the presence of metallizing and protective layers.

Advantages

• Suitable for darkening glasses;

• Inexpensive;

• Wide range of colors and percentage of light transmission;

disadvantages

• There is no protection from sunlight and ultraviolet radiation;

• Burn out in the sun;

• Minimum resistance to abrasion;

Metallized films

A more advanced type of tinting, consisting of three main layers – a polymer base, a metallized substrate and an outer protective layer. Aesthetic appearance, protection from ultraviolet radiation, good resistance to abrasion, as well as ease of use are its main advantages.

Advantages

• Variety of colors and values ​​of light transmission;

• Scratch resistant;

• Cold metallic shade;

• UV and sun protection;

disadvantages

• More expensive than non-metallized analogs;

• Block radio waves;

• Applying to glass requires certain skills;

Infinity films

A kind of metallized tinting, characterized by the structure of the layers. The metal layer in them is laid not on the substrate, but directly on the surface itself, which is why, being applied to the glass, the film provides a mirror effect.

Advantages

• Light transmittance up to 80-90%;

• Abrasion resistance;

• UV protection;

• Wide range of shades and thickness options;

disadvantages

• Prohibited by law;

• Require special care;

• Expensive enough;

Athermal films

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

Advantages

• A wide variety of models in terms of light transmittance;

• Protected from mechanical stress;

• Eliminate glare and improve visibility while driving;

• Regulate heat exchange inside the passenger compartment;

• Protect from sunlight and ultraviolet radiation;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Whimsical in care;

• Difficulty in applying;

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 selected model.

Features of the choice of film by color

In addition to the standard black tint, many different models can be found on sale, ranging in shade from light brown to exotic options like reds, yellows and oranges. Which color to choose depends on the preferences of the car owner and his views on the appearance of the car.

Protection against mechanical stress

The film is exposed during the washing of car windows. It is enough to use a sponge with at least a small amount of grains of sand – and the appearance of scratches on the film is inevitable. A film should be selected that will have a special protective layer that prevents damage even with strong exposure.

Features of the choice of the percentage of glass tint

Or the percentage of light transmission, as this term is interpreted by the traffic police. The dominant parameter, which is responsible for whether toning will perform its functions to the full, or will be used as a decorative element of the car's exterior. Light transmittance is measured in percent and the lower this value is, the darker the particular film will be:

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

2. 10-20% light transmission makes it possible to see 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 transmittance – a film that performs an exclusively decorative function, it does not provide protection from prying eyes;

We should not forget about the other side of the coin – just as the passengers of the car are not visible from the outside, the driver sitting inside does not have sufficient 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 car windows. It is for this reason that it is not only unreasonable, but even dangerous to purchase films with a light transmission of less than 10%.

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In the next article, we will tell you how to choose the right reliable alarm for your car.

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