Tinted windows are a must if you want your car to have a sporty appearance and feel. They contribute to the car’s streamlined appearance and increased privacy for a more fashionable ride. Additionally, window tints can block UV rays from the sun, which is great if you have young children in tow or just want to keep your car cool.

You can install tinted windows as an optional extra if your car doesn’t already have them. Everything you need to know about car window tinting is covered in this tutorial, from the many kinds of film and the regulations to how to apply tints to your vehicle.

What the law says about tinted windows

When installing the tint, you must ensure that you let in at least 75% of the light through the windshield film. You also should ensure that you let in at least 70% of light through the front side windows.

Before applying tinted window film to your vehicle, you should be informed of the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) legislation regarding tinted windows.

The windscreen and front-side windows are the only areas covered by these regulations, but if the police believe that the tinting on your rear window is endangering the safety of your vehicle, they may stop you.

The DVSA or the police may employ light measuring equipment to verify if your car is not letting in enough light. You will receive a restriction notice prohibiting you from operating the vehicle on the road until the tinting is removed if they determine that the tint on your windows is excessively dark. You might even get a court summon or a fixed penalty notice if they think it’s too bad.

The purpose of the laws is to guarantee that every driver can see the entire road. Additionally, it ensures that pedestrians and other drivers can look the motorist in the eye and let them know they are being observed.

Types of window tint film

When you are looking to install the tinting film, there are four main types of films that you can go with. They include:

Dyed Window Tint Film

Dyed film is the most widely used, reasonably priced, and easily accessible window tint. It is attached to the window using a sticky back and properly adhered to the glass using a heat gun. The film has good visibility and a smooth finish, even though it seems black from the outside.

The advantage of it is that it’s reasonably priced, simple to use, and has a respectable tinted effect. Regarding its negatives, it has poor cooling impact, fades over time, and provides summertime UV protection.

Metalized window tint film

Tiny metal particles are present in this coating, which gives the glass a metallic sheen and helps tint it. Because they have a thick reflecting layer, metalized coatings prevent heat from entering the cabin. They also help strengthen windscreens, reducing the likelihood of them breaking.

The good thing about the film is that it’s sturdy, scratch-resistant, and an excellent summer and winter insulator. The disadvantage is that the film can affect radio, infotainment, and phone reception.

Ceramic window tint film

The film has ceramic particles that provide superior defense against UV rays and solar heat, keeping the car cool throughout the summer.

The newest and priciest tinting film provides the highest finish and longevity because of its exceptional resistance to fading and scratching.

The film provides excellent protection from heat and UV rays, an elegant matt surface, and is robust and long-lasting. The only downside is that it’s accessible from specialized producers and can get pricey.

Carbon window tint film

Metalized window tinting is inferior to carbon film because carbon particles in carbon film don’t obstruct radio or phone reception. Even in the hottest months, it’s excellent at preventing sun heat, reducing the need for air conditioning.

The film’s advantage is its stunning matte finish, superior UV protection, and insulation. For the disadvantages, it’s more expensive than films that have been colored and metalized.

Can you apply the film by yourself?

Even though many people would rather have aftermarket tints applied by a specialist, you can do it yourself with the correct equipment. Here are some helpful instructions for applying window tint film.

Start with cleaning the internal glass that will have the film. Use a specialized window cleaning product to get rid of grease, streaks, and stains on your car window. Once you’re sure that the glass is spotless, dry it off by removing any remaining moisture with a window razor and a squeegee.

Once clean, mist the window you are working on with water. The water firmly holds the film in place, allowing you to gently modify and cut it to the desired size without forcing it awkwardly against the glass.

Next, use a knife to trim the film after pressing it into the window recess. To avoid peeling and dog ears, trim the corners by rounding them off and cutting according to the window frame’s lines. Remember to cut the film to the proper form, you must wind down the window a little.

Use a heat gun to fit the film to the window’s dimensions precisely. The heat will make it easy for the film to stretch and reshape, especially if you mold it into the corners with a piece of plastic.

After the film is in the proper shape, carefully remove it from the glass and lay it aside. You can either lay it flat on a spotless surface or clip it up so that it hangs. To avoid sticking when laying it down, mist the surface with water beforehand.

You should remove the backing and quickly mist the film with fresh water. To ensure a proper fit, keep the film as moist as possible. This will allow it to move and adapt to the glass before securely sticking. At that point, you can start applying it to the glass.

As you have seen, you can always undertake auto window tinting Springfield by yourself, but if you feel that you aren’t confident in your skills, you can always hire an expert to help you out.