Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 11:03:31 -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: <000001c421e2$35aa1140$45ac06cf@heinlein>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Before sinking money into this ceramic coated film at twice the cost,
you should be aware of the draw backs in the film in automotive
applications.
My son who owns and runs a tint shop has had this film type available to
him for a couple of years now. It is not that new on the market. There
are also several different companies that make ceramic coated films. It
may be wise to shop. You may get a better price since the stuff is not
so exclusive any more.
He will not install it on a vehicle. There are serious installation
issues for automobiles. One is that you cannot heat it and melt it to
fit curved glass in modern automobiles. Another problem is, it is "2nd
tier" in terms of it's servicability by "Cleaning Technicians". Another
issue is that the adhesive systems are not up to a par with those of the
currently available metal sputtered films. The scratch coat on current
tint films is a hard acrylic that has very good scratch resistance and
such is not the case on the ceramic coated films.
The crux of the issue is that at the current level of the technology,
the ceramic coated tints are not up to a par with the other automotive
tints for automotive installations. I'm sure that in time, that will
change, and such ceramic tints will probably displace/replace the metal
sputtered tints as the technology improves.
As I mentioned, my son will not install the ceramic coated stuff on
automobiles because of the inherent problems. However, he does use it
fairly extensively in flat glass applications in commerical buildings,
hospitals, churches and the like, applied to large plate glass windows.
Cleaning the ceramic coated tint is apparently a big issue, and given
the manner in which automobiles are used, and how they are cleaned,
especially the windows, it would be extremely easy to damage ceramic tint.
All those negatives being said, we are fortunate in that the Vanagons
have all flat glass, so installation on a Vanagon would be easy, with no
melting and bending of the tint required. One would simply have to
decide whether or not you can live with the other problems that may
arise, like scratches in the tint, tint peeling up from the glass,
difficulty cleaning, etc, etc.
If you go ahead anyway, please give back to The List a report on how it
performs on your trip.
And remember however, like the lil' boy sez,
" Youse pays youse money and takes youse chances!"
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Kirk Hockin wrote:
>Ok I can tell you about a fab new tinting film. It's a German product
>manufactured by HuperOptik
>http://www.huperoptikusa.com/products_ceramic.cfm
>
>This stuff is the bombdiddly if you want to cut down solar heating. I'm
>planning to tint my '83 Wasserwesty before I head to Mexico next winter.
>I'm sure my all black dog will love me for it.
>
>Anyhow, this film was developed for the StealthBummer coz the pilots and
>instruments were too hot so the cockpit windshield was like a big IR
>flag.
>
>It blocks far more heat and allows far more visible light to transfer
>through your windows. If you want to cut down heat this is the stuff,
>if your looking to be a private driver, it may not be what you want.
>
>The film is ceramic based, not metallic (so no coastal air problems) and
>not dyed (so it don't turn purple). It also has a LIFETIME transferable
>warranty.
>
>The catch? Well it's more than double the price of regular tinting
>film.
>
>Sound sweet eh?
>
>Kirk
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>Of Doug in CA
>Sent: April 13, 2004 7:13 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Want to put tint on windows and looking for thoughts and
>opinions
>
>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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