Tinted Windows for Cars - Window Films

Tinted windows have been around for many years. In automobiles, tinted glass has always hinted at mystery and privacy, as seen in countless limos with their hidden passengers behind the smoky glass. Tinting windows means applying a thin layer of film to the glass. The film itself is normally comprised of several layers of polyester. UV blocking chemical are added for UV filtering film. Good UV resistant tinting can reduce UV damage and penetration by over 95%. One side of the film will also have the mounting adhesive -- the sticky substance that will actually bind the film to the window surface. Normally, window tinting film is applied to the inside surface of the automobile glass.

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Tinted windows can also help keep car interiors cooler by incorporating special dyes in the film that trap heat as it comes in, keeping the glass itself warmer and letting the heat dissipate outside. Tinted film can also block heat by using deposition technology or sputtering, where metal particles are deposited on the surface of the film. Metallized film tends to look much darker and often has a more reflective surface, due to the metallic content of the film (like a mirror). Aluminum is a common metal used in these processes during manufacturing. Sputtering can be used with many different metals, but it is also more expensive. The final component of window tinting film is a scratch resistant outer layer to protect it. And that's it - several layers of film with dyes and metals, resulting in a dark, reflective material, with one sticky side for adhering to the window surface and one side protected with a scratch resistant surface. Solar Gard makes some of the leading tinted films for cars, called HP for High Performance.

How much do tinted windows cost?

The cost of getting your car windows tinted depends on the type and size of the car and the type of tinting film you want to use. You will also pay more for a longer warranty (tinted windows are known to have problems with bubbling, peeling, fading, changing colors, etc. over time, so a quality install job is important). Obviously, larger cars with more window space cost more than smaller cars, and cars with complicated front and rear windows cost more. In general, you can expect you pay about $150 on the low-end up to $500 for better film and bigger cars. Check out SnapTint.com for do it yourself window tinting kits. They sell pre-cut films specifically for your make and model of car. They carry tinted window film for almost all car models - Acura, BMW, Chevy, Ford, VW, Honda, Toyota, Jeep, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes, etc. Installing tinted windows is something you can do yourself, but it will likely take a few hours, especially if you have never done it before. You need to clean the glass first, scraping with a razor blade when necessary to end up with a perfectly smooth, clean surface. Then peel the backing off the film and wet it with a soap solution and apply it to the INSIDE of the window surface. This is the tough part, trying to make sure that film doesn't fold or bend. You then squeegee out any bubbles or liquids under the film, smoothing the film as you go. You can trip any edges with a razor blade, but with these pre-cut pieces, you should get a pretty tight fit. It takes about 2-3 days for the film to cure, and you are supposed to keep your windows rolled up during this time to not disturb the film. As an example, a complete tint kit for a Toyota Camry costs $75 (all windows except windshield) and a back tint kit for $55. Kits come in 6 different shades, from HP Smoke to HP Bronze to Mirror Tint. For a Ford Expedition, the cost is $95 for a complete kit and $75 for a rear tint kit.

Advantages to Tinted Windows

While windshield tinting is illegal in most states, tinting rear windows in a car can offer some benefits, besides just looking cool:

• Blocks up to 99% of UV rays, protecting passenger eyes and skin
• Keep your car cooler by blocking heat out
• Reduces glare, making it easier to see
• Protects your upholstery, leather, and dash from damaging sun rays
• Offers privacy for rear passengers, also shield your belongings from snoops

Are tinted windows legal or illegal? Tinting of rear windows is legal in most states. For a list of state by state tinted window laws, check out TintCenter.com. Of course windshields can't be tinted, and most states do not allow dark or reflective tints on the front windows (police and others need to be able to see driver and look into car). Some states specify how much light rear tints must allow, others do not regulate rear windows at all. Make sure you check with a local window tinting shop before installing or ordering any films so you are in compliance with your local laws.

How to remove tinted window

Getting that film off your windows can be tough, whether it is removing damaged tint, replacing tinted film, or just getting rid of it if you dont like the look. Since the film is made up of several layers, and the bottom one has the adhesive stuck to the window, you will often peel off the outer layers and find the bottom layer much tougher to remove. You need to be careful of your defrosted and antenna lines that are often lining the window surfaces as well. If you scrape or cut these electrical connections, they will no longer work. Check out the TintDude.com for detailed instructions on how to remove window tinting with ammonia, Windex, razor blades, and plastic bags. We've seen someone attempt to do this themselves one time before, and we can't say we recommend it. It can be messy and slow - if you can afford it, take it to a shop where they have the tools and expertise to do it quickly and efficiently.

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