All types and features of car window tinting

Car tuning goes far beyond simple airbrushing on the body and increasing engine power. Now this includes turning off the electricity, installing a panoramic roof and engine chip tuning. Thanks to this, the upholstery does not fade, and passengers enjoy increased comfort and maximum protection from infrared radiation when the interior is hidden from view of prying eyes.

Types of darkening by application technology

There is a difference between removable and permanent films. These are electron deposition technologies. Drivers install striped glass or glass with varying degrees of transparency (“chameleon”).

The degree of darkening is regulated by the GOST standard, which is measured by an instrument (tau meter). Drivers must comply with the following rules

1. Front window dimming no more than 25%.
2. The degree of tinting of the sides is no more than 30%.
3. Color tinting of car windows is allowed.
4. The degree of shading of the rear windows is not regulated, provided that at least two side mirrors are installed.

The use of mirror coatings on any part of the vehicle is prohibited.

Removable tint

Low cost and ease of installation are the benefits of removable windshield tints. You can stick it on any part of the car and remove it immediately. Types of car window tinting:.

• silicone;
• plastic.

The tint film is applied to the plastic base using adhesive tape. The material is easy to remove and resistant to temperature changes.

The silicone analogue is fixed using a special chemical composition and has a small thickness. If you have no experience with a screwdriver, it is recommended to install silicone paint in a workshop.

The main disadvantage of this option is the short service life – less than three months. Among the advantages:.

• low price of material;
• ease of installation and removal;
• the ability to choose any shade to match the main color of the car.

Electronic tinting

This method has a second name – Smart Tint. The sprayed layer is applied to the glass surface using electromechanical action. After processing, individual pieces of glass can be lightened or darkened. The angle of refraction of light changes depending on the ambient temperature.

Electropainting complies with GOST and does not give mirror reflections. Glass processing requires special equipment and is carried out by automotive services. Among the disadvantages of electronic window tinting, the price should be noted – from 10, 000 rubles per square meter.

Sputtering

Spraying is a common method of darkening interiors. The glass is processed in a vacuum chamber, where a layer of metal particles or polymer is applied to it under pressure. This procedure is only possible when using the equipment for service.

Sputtering as nanotoning has significant disadvantages.

1. Spraying defects cannot be corrected or removed. When replacing, you will need to install a windshield.
2. The price for spraying in services that provide a guarantee for the work performed is at least 10, 000 rubles per square meter.
3. At temperatures below 15 °C, the composition may crack, since the applied material has a different compression ratio and density.
4. A mirror effect may appear in sunny weather, which will always be regarded by the traffic police inspector as a violation of the rules.

See also: procedure for selecting and installing a tow bar on a Nissan Extrail car.

Film coatings remain the most common type of window tinting because they are easy to install, easy to remove, and are available in a variety of tint compounds.

Material

By design, tinting films consist of several layers of vinyl or polyurethane, connected by adhesive sections. Some types of films (Chameleon) have from 20 to 200 layers, including sputtering of various metals.

If you need to choose a film for your rear window, it can be applied to any type of vinyl-based coating. The most popular class:.

• polymer;
• carbon;
• metal.

In addition to the direct function of darkening the interior, the film provides glass armor.

Colored

There is a wide range of color dimmers available on the market. The glass remains transparent, and the material is made from a vinyl base with the addition of colored pigments. The strength and color saturation of the film depends on the number of layers of material.

Colored coatings are often used when a choice of rear window shades is required.

Metallized

It consists of a thin aluminum coating applied to a vinyl or polyurethane base. In most cases, it is used to darken the interior in combination with a two-tone film.

This type reduces cabin heating in hot weather by reflecting rays from metal surfaces. At the same time, the metallized film glares in sunlight, creating a mirror effect.

Among the disadvantages of the coating is the ability of aluminum to delay digital signals, which can result in interruptions in mobile communications when subscribers are in the car.

Infinity

The second name for the color is mirror. When choosing endless film, you should calculate the throughput of the material. The appearance resembles a metallized film. This involves spraying aluminum over the coating. In a metallized film, the metal layer is located inside the base between two protective layers of material.

Thanks to the aluminum application technique, Infinity is more durable and can be used for both painting and armoring.

Using Infinity up to the maximum permissible dimming intensity does not impair visibility on the road at night.

Combined type

Consists of a colored or transparent base with a metallic coating. The use of shading is legal as long as light transmission standards into the vehicle are met.

Combination finishes often feature a smooth transition of color, perhaps using a pattern, for side windows. The color change occurs due to a decrease in the metal coating layer. Combined self-tinting films are often used for side and rear windows.

Athermal film, chameleon

They are a type of protective light filter used as a barrier against infrared and ultraviolet radiation. It can be completely transparent or covered with a light-colored coating. Athermal film prevents heating of the car interior in hot weather and prevents voltage burnout. It is not used as a light dimmer.

See also: stylish bumper tuning for Sunday LadaGranta.

Modern self-tinting chameleon glass is a type of non-thermal membrane whose manufacturing process uses a technique in which several different metals are sprayed on top of each other. Thanks to this production process, chameleon film remains transparent in the dark and darkens on its own as the light flux increases. In addition, the color changes depending on the angle at which the light rays are reflected.

Manufacturers produce filters with light transmission of 20%. Only chameleons with light transmission parameters above 87% can be glued to the front glass. For general calculations, the degree of shading does not exceed legal requirements and can be up to 25%.

Side windows can be tinted with Chameleon film with a light transmittance of at least 75%. For rear windows, you can use rulers with light transmission parameters of at least 20%.

Advantages.

• used as a reservation element, protecting the surface from gravel fragments, chips, scratches;
• not subject to mechanical stress, does not scratch, does not lose quality for up to 5 years (average warranty period for products from Suntek, Llumar and Ultra Vision);
• reflects 90% of thermal energy and UV;
• the material is resistant to sudden temperature changes;
• you can install it yourself.

The disadvantages of Chameleon are the high cost of the original product and the large number of low-quality products on the market.

The light transmission of new windshields is less than 95%, and during operation the transparency characteristics decrease by 0. 5% per year.

Spatternaya

Sputtered films do not contain colored pigments, and their color changes depending on the intensity of deposition of the metal layer attached to the base material by ion exchange. Thanks to production technology, sputtered films are considered more durable than their metallized counterparts.

Artistic tinting, or artistic perforated car window tinting, is used to change the appearance of a vehicle and add character to it.

Carbon

Carbon-based coloring is promising and technically advanced. The graphite-based material is sprayed into a vacuum chamber to form a thin film. Advantages of the material:.

• graphite tinting has a service life of 5-7 years;
• resistance to mechanical and temperature effects;
• protection from UV and infrared radiation by 99%;
• does not glare in the sun, does not create a mirror effect;
• does not block digital signals.

Carbon painting is the best way to protect the interior from fading in terms of material quality and service life; traffic police inspectors have no questions, but darkening is possible only in specialized services.

It is easy to select and apply the required material with ease. If coated glass is a priority, it is recommended to contact a specialized service. On car tinting in Moscow prices you can find out by contacting GS Moika, where there is an individual approach to each client and a guarantee is provided for the entire range of services.