All about window tinting (and why you should care)
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Types of window tinting
Some vehicle manufacturers have the car's windows factory tinted, although this is usually only done on the rear windows. This "factory tint" is made by staining the glass. Sometimes the top of the front window is darkened to better reflect the sun's glare. This is especially noticeable on older vehicles with standard windshields as the graduated green stripe is clearly visible.
As a secondary upgrade, window tinting is usually done by applying a film to the inside of a car's windows. Although DIY kits are available, the results may be messy, with air bubbles, or a crooked arrangement. Vehicle window tinting reduces visible light transmission (VLT), and window tinting is rated by the percentage of light transmitted. The lower the percentage of light transmission, the darker the shade.
The legality of aftermarket window tinting
Each state has different window tint laws regarding legal tint darkness. You can visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website to find the legal shade in your state. Laws vary widely, from 20% in New Mexico to 70% in some states, including Alaska, Vermont, and Michigan. Factory tint usually has a VLT of 74-85%.
Why do people tint car windows?
There are many good reasons to get aftermarket car window tinting. For many vehicle owners, privacy is a concern. Depending on the VLT tint level, it may be difficult for the driver to see through the windows of another vehicle. Window tinting also blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays, helping to keep your interior looking its best. Over time, this changes the value of a car significantly, as cars with tinted windows tend to have fewer skin cracks and less dashboard fading.
Window tinting also reduces vehicle temperatures by up to 70%, which is beneficial for drivers living in hot climates such as the south. Another beneficial side effect of window tinting is protecting the glass from breaking during an accident. While new car windows are all tempered or laminated, making it less likely that sharp pieces of glass will cut the occupant, the adhesive in window tinting can result in fewer loose pieces of glass after a window is broken.
window tinting process
There are two options for aftermarket car window tinting. Firstly, this is OEM tinted glass, to which a tinted mixture is added during production. This makes it more likely that it will comply with even the most stringent state window tint laws, as it is a light shade. This is the most expensive window tint, as it must be done at the dealership when buying a car, or by a licensed mechanic after buying new windows.
Film tinting is perhaps the most popular option. With such tinting, window glass requires special treatment before applying a polymer film to the window. Neatly applied, this form of window tinting is prone to blistering, so it's best to have a trained professional do it. The tint of the film is supposed to be changed every five years or so to prevent cracking and flaking.
Distribution of different hue levels
Which window tint method a vehicle owner chooses is partly determined by how dark the tint should be. Each method creates a different VLT. Which one a driver chooses may depend on factors such as the reason for the tint and what percentage of VLTs are legal in their state.
factory shadeA: Factory tinted VLT is 74-85%, depending on where the vehicle is originally shipped for sale. This shade is applied by staining the glass before sale.
OEM shade: OEM tint can be ordered on any VLT you desire, but may be subject to applicable laws of the state in which it was ordered. OEM tinting is usually an update that is done in European countries. OEM tinting is applied by adding the mixture to the glass during production.
Film tint: Window tint can be purchased with VLT from 90% to 2.5%. The tint film is installed by a licensed mechanic.
Why you should care about window tinting
Window tinting may or may not help you resell your car. It depends on whether the tinting was done early enough when owning the car to protect the interior, which is a major consideration for those looking to purchase a used car. It also depends on whether the shade is legal in the state where the buyer lives. Another consideration was the method used to tint windows. If a homemade shade has a lot of bubbles or doesn't look good, it won't be seen as an asset. Finally, it all depends on the personal preferences of the buyer. While a current car owner might like aftermarket tinting, a potential buyer might not. It is important to note that neither Kelley Blue Book nor Edmunds list window tint in their vehicle sales estimates.
