And this level of protection comes without compromise. It protects you from extra light, Ultra-violet rays, and extra heat. Even the films adhesive is superior. The ceramic technology in XPEL PRIME XR allows us to provide the highest performance without sacrificing clarity and color. If you want to protect your car from the sun, you can use window tint, but keep in mind that it can fade over time. If you want to remove your window tint film, you must understand the risks and possible consequences. I've had the car since December 2021 and haven't had any visibility issues at all. So when you see a window tint being referred to as a percentage, this is the VLT, e.g. Once it strikes, and is absorbed by, a surface it converts to far infrared radiating off said surface. Generally, windows or glasses dont have any color, but they are transparent. Tinting over privacy glass is no different than tinting over regular glass. Divide the VLT by the coefficient of shading. Just had the front two windows tinted at 20% to match the factory rear. Copyright 2023 Executive Motorsports. Aftermarket tint, when appropriately applied will enhance the general longevity and look of a cars interior. XPEL PRIMETM XR provides SPF 1,000 protection that effectively blocks over 99% of harmful UV rays that can lead to numerous skin cancers, premature aging and skin cell damage. Your Limited came with privacy glass on the rear doors and back window. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'windowtintlaws_us-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_15',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-windowtintlaws_us-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); Just roll down your window halfway and use the tint meter to measure the film. Typically, it's enough to deter snoopers, though. . (Explained), Can You Run Plumbing Through Floor Joist? So, be very careful before putting a double layer of tint on the window. Decently close match. This accomplishes 3 things. Fichard_raaborg 2 Bronze. It is pretty common to have this lighter tint on the front windows and a darker tint on the back windows. The best prevention for a traffic citation is thorough research and although we do our best to keep these pages up to date, we are only human and sometimes miss the updates. Comparing a 30% VLT, looks like 57% XPEL, 56% Pinnacle, so no real difference. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'windowtintlaws_us-leader-2','ezslot_12',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-windowtintlaws_us-leader-2-0'); On the other hand, aftermarket tinting film may be removed from the glass by utilizing peeling tools and solvents to break down the adhesive layer. Overlapping or stacking film layers can result in window damage and will not produce a more effective film. Next, start peeling off the tint from the edges using the tip of your fingers. Concord, Ontario I wanted 12.5% so I added a tint film of 50% hoping for a final ting of 12.5%, My math was .25 x .50 = .125 or 12.5 percent (or so I thought). Dealership sent two guys to pick it up, neither one could drive a stick. Lets find out. My recommendation for my customers and my own van is to put a 50% ceramic film on the factory tint. Once again, no idea as I am not an expert but just left a little baffled. And this is the main difference between a permanent tint finish and a plastic cover over the glass. To darken existing window tint, you can use a product like VHT Nite-Shades. Our experts can take a look at your car and determine the right tint for you! which the VW rep told me was only for the small amount of UV tinting in the window. So the glass and window tint would have a combined VLT of 4%. The window tint must be no higher than four inches from the vehicles windows. The ceramic technology in XPEL PRIME XR PLUS allows us to provide the highest performance without sacrificing clarity and color. Factory-fitted vehicles are typically fitted with a tint that ranges from 15% to 20%. We were using 15% to match back windows but we had a lot of complaints that it was darker than the rear. 99% of the time this is only done to the two rear windows. And remember, the more you tint, the darker your glass will get. While aftermarket tint is easier to tint than factory tint, it cannot be easily tinted over. Tint meters are commonly used to measure window tint. It is an invisible barrier to heat gain due to its surface reflecting almost all of the light that falls away from the structure or vehicle. That's a great point. The more you tint, the darker it gets. Factory-fitted vehicles are typically fitted with a tint that ranges from 15% to 20%. The application of window tint on a vehicle is a popular aftermarket modification that can enhance the driving experience. The primary benefit of factory tint with a low VLT is to create seclusion for travelers and your personal belongings. Going from 25 to 12 percent is barley noticeable to the human eye. There are various shades and styles of tint films available, allowing . If you plan to add a second layer of window film, make sure you remove the first layer. tim s said: 16 factory tint 82/18 depending on how you look at it, checked with meter. The sum is 72 x 0.50 giving us 36, which we will . Looking in JAX for tinting all six windows. Though if you have an aftermarket tint, tinting will not be that easy at that time. So with 5% tint allowing only 5% of light in, couple that with the OEM 20% level tint, you are now at 1% light transmittance. Heres how theydo it: We ensure our after-market tint matches the factory tint in both shade and degree of reflectivity. I love it. 2. I currently have 35% over my factory windows on my 2006 GMC Sierra. Calculating Car Window Tint Percentage Applying automotive window film over factory-tinted glass can make your car windows look darker than intended. If youre purchasing a car secondhand, it may not be obviouswhether or not your vehicle has factory tint or aftermarket tint. To calculate the actual VLT of the glass with film applied to it, you need to multiply the VLT of the window tint applied by the VLT of the glass. What was the actual (meter verified) vlt of the glass to start? Unlike aftermarket window tint films, factory tint does not offer the same level of UV protection or heat control. Xpel came to the market with paint protection film within the last couple decades or so and only started selling window film inside the last decade. Pinnacle is a film made by a manufacturer who is one member of the industry's genesis group of 4 or five and has been known for the quality of their automotive film products since the late 80's to early 90's. If there are no legal issues in your state, then seek some professional help, and then you can tint over the tinted glass. Nonetheless, you can calculate the total percentage of the car tint after knowing the percentage of the aftermarket tint as well as the factory tint. Depends on where the pressure is on the glass/frame. April 2, 2022 Alexis This is the first warning that you need to take care of the illegal tint. Putting tint over aftermarket tint will not be durable. To loosen the film, use a razor blade to cut through the film from around the windows. (Quick Answers). I'm baffled how it could have appeared after getting the re-tint and it seems there are more questions than answers at this moment. XPEL PRIME XR PLUS contains ceramic particles that filter out the suns infrared radiation making them more effective than traditional metalized or dyed films. As a result, the temperature in your car may rise, and you may even crack your window or even have the seal fail. Factory tint is a tint within the glass; the glass itself is a different color. If the fronts are above 50% then you will receive a fine, points and be forced to remove on the spot (usually just made to peel a little bit off). In factory-made tinted glasses, the layer of tint is within the glass, and you cannot remove it. This is why you did not notice a difference. What I wanted was for it to be a bit difficult to see through. So essentially, the rear glass does block UV rays. VAT#113570137. I just tested it and I don't notice anything specifically in terms of sound or visual pressure. It adheres to the window with an adhesive and has a top coat to protect it when dyed film window tint is used. Aftermarket window tint comes in a variety of different tint strengths, which can vary depending on everything from local laws to the specific needs of the car owner. The factory tint is applied to the glass prior, by applying a dye to the windows before it leaves the car factory. Window film will shield against UVA and UVB rays with a 99 percent UV protection factor. In the past, keeping cool meant darker shades. It is wholly soaked across the window and cannot be scratched or peeled. So, for example: if your Factory VLT is 60% and Film VLT is 7%, the equation to calculate your final overall tint percentage would be: 760/100 = 4.2%. Contact us about registering your FUSION PLUS warranty. Conventional paint protection films can show scars and yellowing after a single year of useespecially in the real world, where most of us drive every day. Because factory tint is present in the window, changing it to lighter tint would result in an overall lighter appearance. Loosen the film with a razor blade. Some SUV drivers want window film installed on the inside of their factory tinted windows, to gain double the heat rejection and UV protection without adding any reflectivity to the glass. Keep in mind when adding tint over existing factory tint, you are essentially combining the level of darkness. The factory VLT is 70%. So what does the percentage actually mean? Still shopping around, but have used these guys before and they do a good job. WHAT FACTORY WINDOW TINT DOES MY CAR BRAND HAVE? You can tint over tint. Aftermarket tint may be simply replaced with a different tint film by removing the old tint and installing a new film. 35% Drivers who wish to be well within the legal tinting limits tend to choose 35%, but others complain that this level is too light to justify the upgrade. Factory tint does not protect the automobile from temperature increases or UV exposure. We have been leaders in the window tint business for many years and we genuinely believe that no-one can match our quality, value and service. Using quality products always produces a cleaner finish when it comes to window tinting and paint protection services. I have had a small handful ask for 5% over their factory tinted windows. Because factory tint windows are tinted from the inside, the more you tint over the glass, the more it will be darker. I lean this cinder block against the door as a wedge to keep the door shut and he just pushed it off the ramp. Automobile manufacturers have developed a technique known as deep dipping, this method uses an electronic procedure that covers the glass with a special dye to give it that dark tinted color. Tire Pump, Truck/SUV Tire Inflator, For Up to 35" Tires, Switch Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System With Concealed Mounting Hardware, Genuine Toyota Accessories PT580-35050-LB Bed Mat for Select Tacoma Models, Denso 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Factory Alloy Wheel Options , Black, Philips 12361B1 H9 Standard Halogen Replacement Headlight Bulb, 1 Pack, Victor Lock De-Icer Lubricant Aerosol .62 FL OZ, AKASO EK7000 4K30FPS Action Camera Ultra HD Underwater Camera 170 Degree Wide Angle 98FT Waterproof Camera, Bilstein 33-230337 Monotube Shock Absorber, 46mm, AXXESS AX-TOYUSB - USB-Auxilliary Retention Harness - USB adaptor to retain the OE USB in select Toyota vehicles. Try not to cut into or scratch the paint, but there is a chance that this will happen. I had planned on tinting all around with nano ceramic film to cut heat gain as much as legal in WA where it will be registered. Apr 6, 2021 (Edited) For SUVs Oregon's law is 35% front and anything goes for the rears. Our car's windows original VLT = 72% and the tint = 50 %, thus V1 = 72 and V2 = 50. It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when lookin, Tint View - All Rights Reserved | Designed by. (Explained), Smoke Detector Distance from Wall (Complete Guide), How Thick Should Plywood Be for Cabinets? Sometimes extra tint will provide some privacy to your vehicle or your room. It is a complete waste of money if you put a layer of permanent tint on the aftermarket tint. A new layer of tint will be applied to the cars windows, stripping the previous tint and replacing it. I've got a three year old truck that is doing the same at the bottom of the glass and stops about half way up. He measured the factory tint levels: side windows both sides, 25% transmittance. The information here should be used as a starting point for your own research and you should always confirm the data you find here with your local and state departments. So, you should go for an aftermarket tint on the factory tint. In other terms, if you want to reduce heat in your car, reduce cancer-causing UV radiation, and protect yourself from shattered glass in an incident, you should add aftermarket window films. Everyone wants to have a little privacy in their life. If your car's windows are clear, it's easy to determine. First quote is $800.. For example, you need the films VLT to be 8%, and the default VLT is 80 percent. A window tint, like a window sleeve, helps to reduce and sometimes eliminate sun glare while also protecting the windows from the elements for at least three layers. Lynchburg VA. 16 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB MGM. The sum is very simple: V1 x V2 = V3 (Where V1 is the original VLT of the glass before tinting, V2 is the VLT of the window tinting film and V3 is the final VLT value of the glass with tint film applied). The only method to get rid of factory tinting is to replace the entire window, which can be expensive. This is true, no matter how light or dark the tint is on the back windows. The use of tint on existing car window tint can be done. The glue should come off after it has been softened with a heat gun, but if it does not, you can try again with a different tack. Two layers of window tint is generally not recommended because it can cause problems with visibility and can be difficult to remove if it needs to be replaced. I decided 30% laid over factory would probably be the best compromise. It is recommended to use aftermarket tint over the factory tint. But look at it this way. On the glass, a first layer is applied, and on the film, a second layer is applied. Again, for tinting over factory tint, you will make the glass darker and darker with every layer of tint. This shade only allows in 5% of the available light. In addition, eyelashes and eyebrows are common in the film industry. The tint percentage indicates how much visible light may flow through the tinted glass. Gonna have to snipe me what appears to be a rather large raccoon. This is how it works, that's why I wrote it. NH is still in the 1980's with most things, not being able to order a replacement license on the internet, dual license plates, minimum wage, etc. Figure 1. To remove car window tints, simply follow the steps below. What are the benefits to aftermarket automotive window film? Window-Tint.co.uk is the trading name of Car Tinting UK Ltd, registered in England & Wales with company number 8806193. Window Tinting Service In Houston, TX | Executive Motorsports Recent Blog Posts. [video_lightbox_youtube video_id=ihK63M2qNVM&rel=0 width=640 height=480 auto_thumb=1]. You cannot see into the back windows of my truck, but at night, it's very difficult to see out of them as well. Thanks, seals the deal for me, booking an appointment with the FormulaOne shop. Don't forget to follow us via our social media profiles and keep up with our latest news. The tint from the factory is more of a cosmetic enhancement than a heat-trapping barrier, and it does not protect the occupants from harmful UV rays. This type of film is popular because it is less expensive than aftermarket window films, it reduces the chances of skin problems, and it can be up to 99% effective against harmful UV rays. A Car Window Tint Can Reduce UV Radiation. In simple terms, the VLT is the percentage of light that the film allows to pass through. Like XPEL PRIME XR, it blocks 99 percent of the suns damaging UV rays, and it provides a lifetime of color-stable, glare-blocking performance. As we said, factory tint is permanent. How Long Does Pipe Thread Compound Take to Dry? So, make sure you will not face any legal problems by tinting your windows. The fact of the matter is that darkened windows alone wont give you the results you are looking for. There are two types of tints, one is not permanent, and another is permanent. Its relatively easy to tint over factory tint, as long as youre working with a professional. That is the fundamental way of knowing if the glass is aftermarket or factory-made. A few differences between factory and aftermarket tint have been discussed below . XPEL PRIME HP offers higher heat rejection compared to traditional dyed films with a slightly more reflective finish. HardyHarHarJune 19, 2018 in Window Tinting - General Discussion. The regulation varies from state to state. YOU CANNOT JUST ADD. You can see through windows with a 20% tint if you're up close, but it's still difficult. If the previous layer is peeling or worsening, you may want to layer a new window tint on top to prevent it from getting affected by the new tint. Achieve Cosmetic Consistency We ensure our after-market tint matches the factory tint in both shade and degree of reflectivity. XPEL PRIME XR PLUS gives you all of the heat and UV protection benefits of window tint, but without the super dark look that can make it hard to see out of the caror get you a ticket in some locations. If you are interested in legal advice regarding window tint laws and traffic citations for your localized area we would be happy to refer you to some law firms. Aftermarket tint is a film that is placed over glass; it can be removed and reapplied. Price-wise, they're similar, they're first-rate shops and I know i'm going to get garbage results regardless of the film if I go with a cheap cut-rate install. The 5% tint is very dark in most cases. - My truck has factory tint on all 4 corners as well as the rear window. If the heat is too high, seals can become damaged (and glass can break) on dual pane units. Moreover, some states have strict rules about aftermarket tinting and tinting over factory tint. Lubegard 63016 Platinum Universal ATF Protectant, 15 oz. Posts: 166. Our high-tech cutting equipment cuts the window film to the exact computer-controlled size of your windows. Lat's take an example: The film VLT is 6%. At that time, you want to put another layer of tint over the tint to have a darker shade. So the glass and window tint would have a combined VLT of 4%. Or if you want to do it yourself, you must seek some professional advice. The window is tinted with factory colors in order to allow heat to escape and keep the room warm. Sign up for a new account in our community. From the industry leaders in self-healing paint protection film comes FUSION PLUS, a ceramic coating you can count on. So the glass and window tint would have a combined VLT of 4%. In the past, keeping cool meant darker shades. The rear windows aren't tinted. they are dyed, (it can be called 'privacy glass') something like that which can't be removed unless you take those windows out and put new clear windows in then you can have them tinted as the way you want my factory privacy glass metered at 29% FYI. Aftermarket tint is generally a film of a different color. When you apply factory tinted paint, the paint usually becomes chalky and thick, causing it to rub off. Far infrared IS defined as heat. Stand outside of the car and roll it up/down a few times. How does it compare to after-market window tint film? You need to ensure some degree of transparency to avoid regional regulations. If you do it yourself, there is a high chance of ruining everything. 35 is lighter than the rear factory tint so most people risk it and go with a match of the rear factory tint with 15-20% on the front . Even if you go lighter, it will not work. It is frequently used in a two-tiered system. I'm in Southern California and my 2022 model X windshield is tinted at 50%. The darker the color, the more functional it will be. Twenty percent window shade tint is also called "Factory Tint". To calculate the actual VLT of the glass with film applied to it, you need to mutiply the VLT of the window tint applied by the VLT of the glass. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'windowtintlaws_us-leader-1','ezslot_4',608,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-windowtintlaws_us-leader-1-0'); The added benefits of aftermarket tint, like UV protection, are generally not felt by factory tint. If you are referring to the front doors, 20% film over factory tint, which is usually around 70-80%, will match the back pretty closely. If the adhesive is too hard, use a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive. The law governing aftermarket window film varies by province, but in general, it is limited to a small strip on top of the windshield. If all the conditions applied are perfect for you, you should go for tint over factory tint. If your tint looks lighter than it did when you first installed it, its most likely because the adhesive is setting and reacting to heat and sun. Every now and then something new comes to the market and is a game changer, wasn't sure if XPEL was something special, but since the specs are comparable, going to go with Pinnacle and the better installer. Last Updated on August 23, 2022 by windowtintlaws.usif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,250],'windowtintlaws_us-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',603,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-windowtintlaws_us-medrectangle-3-0'); In 1966, 3M produced window tinting as we know it. In the case of factory tinted windows on a vehicle, it is absolutely ok to tint over the factory tinted glass. Ceramic front doors/windshield on this pig Monday. It relies on a number taken from a small portion of the near infrared (NIR) energy of the sun, which makes up only 48 +% of the sun's electromagnetic energy --- combine that with visible light 49 +% and ultraviolet light 2 +/-% adding up to 100%. If you choose to double layer window films, it is best to wait 1-2 weeks between layers so that the first layer can fully cure to the glass. Tint from the factory is really more of a cosmetic enhancement, and while it slightly reduces glare, factory tint doesnt deflect heat or protect the vehicle occupants from damaging ultraviolet UVA and UVB rays. For Consumers FIND AN INSTALLER For Installers If you get your first illegal window tint ticket, you could be fined up to $100. So the glass and window tint would have a combined VLT of 4%. XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS also comes with a full 10-year warranty against yellowing, discoloration, peeling, cracking and hazing. Where did I go wrong? I use my tint meter and a small sample to check and adjust accordingly. My vehicle has factory tint on all but the two front side windows that I believe is 25% from the factory. At Autobahn, we have a large selection of window film in a wide variety of shade levels, as well as tints that are reflective and non-reflective.