Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2005 10:47:01 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Window Tint Recommendations
In-Reply-To: <11dcddf805071218034bca3c27@mail.gmail.com>
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Chris,
My son runs a tint shop and uses only the very best of films. Says it
doesn't pay the customer or him to handle cheap film. He told me today
that currently there are only two films he recommends - Llumar
metalized films (his low end film - but it's a high end film on the
market) and Pinnacle CP film by Formula One -his high end film for his shop.
Llumar metalized film has, as one would expect, excellent UV rejection
which reduces the heat, but has a bit of a shiny finish - not mirror
finish, but shiny enough.
Pinnacle is a ceramic film and does it's work by UV absorption. It does
not have the shine on the surface the same way the metalized films do.
The metalized films have been around for quite a while and have been
very good, displacing virtually all the older films for general use.
They have the disadvantage of being incompatible with the new
electronics finding their way into the newer automobiles, and in the
retrofitted electronics going into older automobiles. The metal in the
films interferes with transmission and reception.
Enter the CP (ceramic product) films.........!
CP films (Pinnacle - a top brand) are the newest films available. They
function by absorbing rather than reflecting UV. They do not interfere
with the new electronics, and perform at a higher level in dealing with
the heat issues. Though I have not found in the literature anything to
support my view, I believe that the CP films offer some insulative
effect in that ceramic transmits heat energy with less efficiency than
metal. I suspect that one would be better off with a CP film vs a metal
film for that reason alone, much less the excellent UV absorption.
The only drawback to the CP films is the price. They are typically
slightly under 2-1/2 times as expensive as metal films.
In any case, I would suggest that you get all windows except the
windshield tinted. By law the windshield cannot be tinted, and passenger
and driver window must meet a certain light transmission standard, and
that varies state to state. But virtually every state has a transmission
standard. In virtually all cases, the passenger and driver windows will
be lighter in appearance than the other windows, as a result of the law.
Usually you can go as dark as you wish on all windows except the
passenger and driver window. The windshield must remain clear, excepting
a sunshade strip that may be installed across the top of the windshield.
That too varies state to state, in terms of how much glass can be covered.
Formula One films and Llumar films both carry national warranties and
the companies are really good at making good on any film failures. Good
tint shops will have in-house warranties as well that will take care of
any labor charges that might accrue if they did the tint installation
for you. Be sure to ask about that.
I would suggest that you get that rear window tinted because it is a
huge heat generator. I had all my windows done, including the rear hatch
glass, and I've never had a lick of trouble with the defroster strips on
the glass.
I personally think it a mistake to use a really dark tint on the van
windows as it interferes with clarity of vision. I'm interested in
reducing heat and glare, but I still like sufficient light to see well
through any glass while seated in the driver sat. This is especially
true at night. But to each his own.
There is one final trick that can be done that will help glare - both
day and night - IF you can get the tint shop to do it. Of course you
are on your own on this one. The inside of the front windshield can be
tinted with a near clear metal tint. It is so neutral as not to be
"noticeably" dark, but it helps dramatically with glare. As I said,
patently illegal, but boy what a difference.
Anyway .....
IMHO, a good tint job is worth it's weight.
Regards,
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Christopher Gronski wrote:
>I am considering tinting my windows and I wanted people's opinion on two things:
>
>1) Type and brand of tint, what have you used that you like? I am
>leaning towards the sort of mirrored look, but I'm still open to
>suggestions.
>
>2) Which windows to tint? I am considering only tinting the side
>windows (middle and rear) and leaving the cab area and the rear window
>untinted. I'd like your opinon on this as well
>
>Thanks,
>Chris
>
>
>
>
