Every motorist knows window tinting isn’t only a decorative design feature for an automobile. It protects the interior and passengers from prying eyes as well as provides a good choice for shielding against harmful ultraviolet radiation getting inside the vehicle. Lastly, helping to reduce the thermal effect.
Modern car window films have many modifications. Each of them handles a specific function, for instance, protecting against UV, glass armouring, etc. If you are still not completely sure of the advisability of tinting glasses, we invite you to get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of this operation. Based on the data given, you will be able to decide whether your car needs tinting or not.
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Methods of Tinting Car Windows
Artificial darkening of the glass is carried out in several ways:
- Applying a specially painted non-metallized film with a blackout effect. There are different shades and degrees of light transmission, but all of them are distinguished by the absence of glare and the good transmission capabilities of radio waves. This option is the most popular due to its availability and ease of application, but it is not durable—the service life is about 2 years.
- Using a metallized film, which has good thermal insulation and is resistant to external factors. The wrap serves approximately 5-7 years. Such a solution will cost you a little more, but it will last for several more years.
- Smart tinting, or electronic, allows the driver to adjust the light transmission of the glass using a remote control. It’s the most expensive type of glass tinting for cars.
- Applying color spraying by the laser or magnetron method. Let’s say right away that if you want to get rid of such tinting, you will have to change the glasses to new ones.
- Using athermal film, also called energy-saving film. It’s distinguished by its transparency, but at the same time it has a good ability to reflect most of the UV rays. A type of athermal film is a “chameleon,” when the light transmission automatically changes depending on the brightness of the sunlight.
No matter what type of film you choose, external tuning of the glass has undeniable advantages. Let’s review it in detail.
Key Benefits of Tinting Car Windows
From the first sign, it may be unclear why you should pay for something unnecessary like tinting film. Let’s review key pros and arguments that will help answer the mentioned question:
- Decorative properties. Everyone agrees that the tinting film instantly transforms the car, making it more stylish and attractive. Depending on which wrap you choose—ordinary, transparent, or colored—your car will look brand new.
- Shielding from direct sunlight. The tinted glass increases driving safety due to the fact that it reflects direct rays. As a result, the driver sees all objects better and more clearly.
- Protection from loss of the car’s interior color and its saturation. The decorative appearance of the upholstery and other surfaces is preserved since the film retains ultraviolet light.
- Shielding the interior from overheating. Modern athermal car window film delays and reflects the infrared and ultraviolet spectra. As a result, the interior of the vehicle heats up less, which is important in the hot season. You can turn on the air conditioner less often while passengers will feel comfortable.
- Protection of the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. Modern films retain fragments that have formed as a result of mechanical damage to the glass. As a result, in case of a crash, the likelihood that you will be injured by debris is significantly reduced.
As you can see, the tinting film for cars can simultaneously perform many functions, which are its advantages. Many of the used cars you can find at USA car auction have evidence that it helps to preserve the car after accidents and years of use.
What are the Disadvantages of Tinting Film?
We have fewer cons to using a tinting film than the pros, but they still exist, and they are worth paying attention to. The main drawbacks of car window film include the following:
- The need for the wrap to be applied by a specialist. Self-installation has many nuances of execution and is extremely difficult for an inexperienced driver, which entails an additional waste of time and money to repeat the process.
- A car owner will always face a difficult choice. You will have to pay the appropriate amount for high-quality tinting film.
The opinion of all motorists and experts agrees that the tinting of vehicle windows has more advantages than disadvantages. After all, the film simultaneously performs many of the functions that were listed above.
If any problems occur when applying the tinting film, as a rule, they are associated either with the purchase of cheap and low-quality film or with a violation of the technological process. A high-quality and modern wrap should be preferred.
The Bottom Line
To purchase a durable film, it is important to choose materials from a trusted manufacturer or supplier. In addition, you should pay attention to a very low price because it may indicate a low-quality product. It’s also recommended to entrust film application to professionals in their field since they are aware of all the features and nuances of any stage of the procedure.
When looking for a used car, it’s also worth entrusting the buying process to a professional broker, AutoBidMaster, which is a legitimate Copart broker, and you can find all the details about its experience and success in the used car market in our recent article “How reputable is Autobidmaster?“.
