Window tinting - driving in incognito mode - it's cool!

For many years, tinted or shaded windows have been a popular way to give a car that extra look. Additional intimacy in the interior significantly changes the look of the car. There are a number of things to keep in mind when tinting windows. Lack of experience can lead to poor performance, which in turn can lead to conflict with the authorities. Read below what is important regarding window tinting.

Opportunities and impossibilities

Only the rear and rear side windows can be fully tinted. Tinting the windscreen and front side windows is prohibited by law. The law determines the amount of light that the windshield must let through. In this regard, it is important to be seen ", but not " see ". If another road user does not see which way the driver is turning his head, this can, under certain circumstances, lead to a dangerous situation. In addition, the law requires the presence of a second side mirror in case of subsequent tinting of the windows. But be honest: who would prefer the asymmetrical look brought on by the lack of a rear-view mirror?

It goes without saying that only ISO certified products (ISO 9001/9002) can be used for window tinting .

In addition, when applying window film the following rules must be observed:

– The film should not protrude beyond the edge of the window – The foil must not jam in the window frame or window seal. – If the rear window is equipped with a brake light, its luminous surface must remain open. – Window film is always applied from the inside .

TIP: Car manufacturers install tinted glass around the entire perimeter upon request. If the windshield and front side windows are too clear for your taste, they can be replaced with slightly tinted glass. Be sure to follow the regulations for tinting windshields and front side windows.

From a roll or pre-cut?

Pre-cut window film has many advantages. It's already made to size, saving you the hassle of cutting to size. This solution is also surprisingly cheap. Complete kit for rear window and rear side windows starts at €70 (£62) . This price includes the necessary tools.

Approximately €9 (£8) per meter , uncut roll tint film is definitely cheaper. However, for full tinting of the rear and side windows, 3-4 meters of film are required. The application is cumbersome and a lot of cutting is required. A particularly strong tint or chrome effect can double the price. Wrong packaging per meter is less dramatic. On the other hand, this is less likely for pre-cut film.

From exterior to interior

Shouldn't the film be applied on the inside? Undoubtedly.
However, for do-it-yourself trimming and trimming, the outer side is used.
Theoretically, you can immediately try to paste the film from the inside, although this complicates the work and is therefore not recommended.
 
 
 
The steps for window tinting are actually quite simple:

– cutting the film of the desired size - gluing the film on the window – removal of pre-cut film – transferring the pre-cut film to the inside of the car window

For cutting, a utility knife (Stanley knife) from a DIY store is enough. To model the film on the window, you will need a hair dryer or a thermal gun, as well as a lot of patience and a fine touch .

Window tinting - step by step instructions

To apply window film, you will need:

– a set of tint film, pre-cut or in a roll – squeegee - stationery knife - a bottle of fabric softener - water – atomizer - infrared thermometer - hairdryer

• Start by cleaning the rear window . For convenience, we recommend removing the entire wiper arm. It can interfere and collect dirt. It is recommended to wash the window up to 2-3 times.

• Now spray the whole window with a mixture of water and fabric softener (about 1:10) . The fabric softener has adequate adhesive properties and at the same time allows the film to slide over the window.

• The film is applied and pre-cut roughly , leaving a 3-5 cm edge so that excess film does not interfere with work.

• The professional approach is as follows: press a large letter to the film with a squeegee H. Vertical stripes run along the right and left side of the window, the horizontal stripe is right in the center. First check the mop for unevenness. They could scratch the film and then all the work was in vain.

• First, H is made without bubbles for which you can use a hair dryer. Be careful not to set fire to the film! Most films are suitable for processing at 180 - 200ᵒC. This should be constantly checked with an infrared thermometer.

• Now the water softener mixture is squeezed out from under the film with a scraper and a hair dryer . The better you work now, the easier it will be to transfer the film inside later. The goal is to stick the film to the outer window without bubbles.

• When the film lies completely flat and free of bubbles on the window, the edge is cut to size. . Currently, the windows have a wide dotted line that makes it easier to navigate. Don't forget to cut 2-3 mm along the dotted line. The result is a completely covered tinted surface.

• The film has now been removed and stored in a suitable location. . A large glass window, such as the window of a building, is ideal to temporarily attach the film. In no case can it be torn, scratched or bent. If there is no window, the film can be "parked" on the previously cleaned car hood. The use of a squeegee is not required.

Before applying the film to the inside of the rear door, depending on the car model, it is recommended to first remove it. Alternatively, it is necessary to work upside down or from inside the car, which can compromise the result. Therefore, it is worth thinking about this simple step.

• Now the back glass is abundantly wetted from the inside before applying the film, after which the squeegee is applied . A hair dryer can be used for minor adjustments. Be careful — This device may damage the interior of the vehicle and cause burns to the upholstery and panels. This is another reason why taking apart the tailgate is a good idea.

If the film has been previously adapted on the outside, the use of a hair dryer on the inside is often not required.
The film is also liberally sprayed after application. The squeegee is wrapped in kitchen paper before it is used to level the film. This ensures that the adhesive is absorbed and prevents scratches.

• When applying the film, the necessary adjustments are made, such as cutting out the illumination area of ​​​​the additional brake light. In the end, the window is washed again from the outside - and thus the windows are tinted.