Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 23:50:49 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: Want to put tint on windows and looking for thoughts and
opinions
In-Reply-To: <000901c421c5$f1c574e0$d9032a45@ttower17def>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Doug, I don't know of any state that cares one way or another about how
dark the tint is provided that the front window is clear, and the driver
and passenger windows allow sufficient light to meet the state standards
for light transmission on those windows. What is required on those two
windows varies a little from state to state but not much.
So far as metal tint is concerned, I think you are referring to tint
that "appears" metallic and has a highly reflective surface, so
reflective that you cannot see through it. That really is not "metallic"
tint in the truest sense. The industry refers to a metallic tint as one
that is "metal sputtered". That is, the tint has a thin coating of metal
that is so thin that it can be seen through. This is the tint film that
gives you true solar protection by blocking the UV, but not the visible
light. Because it does not block the visible light, only the ultra
violet, it is legal, provided the coating allows the required percentage
of light through it. At the required percentage of visible light, you
still have the UV protection. The visible light issue is there because
to be able to see anything at all, light must reflect off of what is
seen. In other words, if there was someone in a car, and they absorbed
all the visible light that passed through the glass and the tint, they
would appear to be a flat featureless black. Same is true of the tint.
If no visible light passes through the tint and the glass, the glass
appears black and you cannot see who is sitting on the other side. So
the law requires a minimum percentage of light to be able to pass
through the tint so police officers can see clearly the persons in the
the car, and the driver can clearly see what is going on around him.
A good quality metal sputtered tint will have a little reflectivity, but
will meet the standards of the law, will block the UV, and will have a
life of 5 to 7 years without fade or color change. Metal sputtered films
will not turn purple or crack and peel, but they will begin to fade just
a bit towards the end of just after the end of their warranted lifespan.
There are several things to watch out for.
Go only to a reputable shop. Cheap is not necessarily the best. In this
case you are going to get what you [pay for. Get only a film that is
made by a company with a Nationwide distributorship. Get only a film
that has a warranty that will be serviced at any authorized shop
anywhere in the country. My son has run a tint business for nearly 20
years, and these are the points he has recommended. His business is
based on quality tint, and quality installations, and has now had 5
generations of cars within families pass through his doors. He has a
huge repeat business because of his customer service. Do a little
research and you should be able to locate someone in your area that can
and will offer the same service. His is not a cut-rate business, yet he
has survived some hard times, while other shops in the region have
disappeared. That says a lot about his approach. Customer service is
absolutely first and foremost, and he uses only the finest tint. Doesn't
pay to do it otherwise.
Good luck,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Doug in CA wrote:
>Hi Volks,
>
>I am considering tinting the windows on my 87 syncro to give both some privacy and solar protection.
>I have looked into tint before from Tap plastics and they carry several percentages of window tint.
>The 3M stuff they sell for auto does not turn purple from the sun after time like other tints do.
>
>Here's the rub, When I put the dark limo tint on my 85 and tried it out I found that it really does not help the solar gain as much as one might think. A "black" glass gets very very hot in the sun, this heat then radiates into the vanagon.
>
>In California the do not allow metallic or reflective window tints which do reflect the heat.
>I have noticed on many new cars that they are using a metallic tint from the factory but it is very slight.
>
>Has anybody found a good interior shade or tint that will reflect the heat and keep the glass cool?
>
>I believe even a standard curtain that is light in color or silver reflective which the Eurovans use is far superior to keeping the interior temps down vs. the dark tint.
>
>Any thoughts are certainly appreciated.
>
>Doug
>
>
>
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