The Ultimate Guide To Car Window Tinting Films
Now car window tinting films have been as daily products for everyone. Automobile have become an indispensable means of transportation in our usual lives, and they have brought great convenience to our lives. Everyone dreams to own a car. Because the vehicle is an outdoor transportation, which will be long-term exposed to the outdoors and strong sunlight, besides, the high or low level of temperature will affect the comfortability of the interior environment of automobile.
In addition, if the sun is too dazzling, it will greatly affect the safety of our driving. So it is becoming more and more important to install car window tinting film for your favorite car.
Most people think that the automotive tinting film is mainly used for sunlight protection and heat insulation. In fact, this is only small one of its multi functions. What else functions does automotive window tinting film have? How to choose a high quality solar tinting films for cars? This article will take you to understand the things about car solar films, so that you can avoid detours when want to install it.
These Basic Knowledge We Have to Know About Car Tinting Film
First of all, we need to know what is car solar film and what kind of development history it has, also have to know what main types are included on market so that can help us choose the proper type, at last we will introduce its structure to help us to know the working principle.
1.What is car tinting film?
Let’s briefly introduce first, car film is a kind of the solar film which is also called window tint film, heat-insulating film or explosion-proof film. It is installed on inside of car window glass with multi functions such as: sunlight protection, light filtering, explosion-proof, and privacy protection.
2.The origin of car tinting film
The predecessor of solar film is architectural film and safety film. At beginning, It was used on the building windows with the main function of explosion-proof to prevent the glass slag splashing and causing personal injury after the glass was accidentally broken.
Later, there has additional functions of sunlight protection and heat insulation. Then the film is gradually introduced into the automotive field to be installed on the inner side of the car window glass, which mainly plays the role of sun protection, heat insulation and explosion protection.
Some car solar films with low light transmittance rate can also increase the privacy in the car. Then it became more and more popular.
3.The range of automotive window films
There have many kinds of automotive window films, such as nano ceramic film, UV400 film, magnetron sputtering film, chameleon film, photochromic film, etc.
3.1 Nano Ceramic Film
Nano ceramic tint film is a ceramic solar film which uses vacuum sputtering technology to form a nano-level ceramic layer on a polyester film by using titanium nitride ceramic material.
Nano ceramic window tint film is neither a dyed film nor a metal film. It is a unique and durable composite ceramic film structure. The excellent performance formed by its special structure can block more infrared rays, this series of automotive window films have high heat insulation performance on the market.
3.2 UV400 Solar Film
UV400 window tint film is 100% ultraviolet UVA and UVB rays rejection automotive window tint films, with high infrared heat rejection performance. When you are driving, the strong sunlight not only affects your driving safety, but also the strong ultraviolet radiation brings invisible damage to the people in the car.
This kind film can effectively block the damage of UV rays to human skin, effectively block the production of melanin, and fully protect human skin.
3.3 Magnetron Sputtering Film
Magnetron sputtering metal film is made by multi-layer magnetron sputtering process technology, it has excellent performance of long-lasting reflection and heat insulation. Because of its high definition, high heat insulation, high stability, low internal reflection, pure color, never fade, long life span and many other characteristics, it was once widely used in automobile tint films.
Magnetron sputtering technology is a method, which have to increase the ionization rate of the gas, so that can do high-speed sputtering under low pressure. By introducing a magnetic field on the surface of the cathode, so that can utilize the magnetic field to confine the charged particles to increase the plasma density to increase the sputtering rate.
This kind film is high heat reflective window films, which has metal layer by magnetron sputter technology. This metal layer is extremely thin, but it has extremely high effective performance at blocking certain radiation from direct sunlight. It also has excellent heat resistant and ultra violet radiation rejection function.
3.4 Chameleon Solar Film
The biggest feature of Chameleon solar tint film is its fashionable color. You will get different color from different angles. As a kind of automotive window film, it also has the common characteristics of automotive solar film, such as excellent UV blocking, heat insulation, glare reduction and never fade. So it has been sought after by the young people!
3.5 Photochromic Film
Photochromic film is a magical and smart window film which can intelligently adjusts the color depth according to the intensity of sunlight. On the sunny day, the sun light feels very glare, the photochromic film color becomes darker automatically, so we can feel the sun is no longer dazzling, the light inside the car is kept at the most suitable comfort level for person.
On cloudy days or at night when the sun light is weak, the photochromic film color becomes lighter automatically, so that can improve the clear vision and safe driving.
4.The composition and structure of the car film.
A qualified car window tint film generally has 7-8 layers. The main layers are scratch-resistant layer, PET layer, silicone coating, heat insulation layer and UV blocking layer etc…
But we must pay attention, Generally speaking, the dyed film with a thickness of 1mil and 1.5mil has a relatively simple structure, and even the dyeing color is directly attached to the installation adhesive layer. The color fades seriously in the later stage and the heat insulation is very poor, so we have to select it carefully.
Such film usually don’t have quality warranty or just one year quality warranty at most. On the market, the main types of automotive solar films are metal films and ceramic films, which are different in terms of heat insulation and signal transmission. On the market the main thickness of car tint film is 2mil. Metal films mainly reflect heat, and ceramic films mainly absorb heat.
Different processes have different film thicknesses, different sunlight protection and heat insulation capabilities. Besides, while the metal film layer blocks heat, it also blocks signals, so you need to choose according to your own needs.
The Key Functions of Car Window Tint Film
Automotive window films have many functions which can well solve the issues we will meet when use our cars.These functions cover from physical performance to optical peformance,involve some important occasions about safety driving and energy saving.
1.Heat Insulation
Car films can reflect the heat source in the sunlight, especially the infrared rays which is the main source of heat. While reflecting part of heat radiation, it also can absorb part of it. When the car is running and the air is flowing, this part of the heat will be dissipated with the air, which acts as a the role of heat insulation.
Of course, as told above, different types of automotive tint films will have different heat reflection and absorption rate, such as nano ceramic films will mainly absorb heat, while magnetron sputtering film will mainly reflect heat. The earliest solar film technology is relatively primitive, such as dyed film, which uses color to reduce the transmittance rate of visible light, but the film usually has very dark color, so will absorb a lot of heat, This heat can’t be well dissipated, so the heat insulation effect is poor and has been eliminated.
Therefore, when we choose automotive film, we must avoid dyed film. now the best choice is nano ceramic films or car metallic film such as magnetron sputtering film, Nanomolecule have spectral selectivity, which can ensure high light transmission, high vision and good thermal insulation performance.
2.Energy saving
The automotive tint film can effectively block the transfer of heat, so that can effectively reduce the energy consumption of car air conditioner. The air conditioner of a cars installed solar films will cool down quickly. Therefore, good heat insulation effect will benefit the fuel consumption caused by the air conditioner and save a certain expenditure.
Usually the IRR value of a qualified car window tint films is relatively high. In addition to IRR, we also need to check other parameters such as U-value, G-Value and Shading Coefficient (SC). The lower value it has, the better energy saving rate will be.
3.Sunlight protection
Ultraviolet rays blocking is one of the most important features of automotive window film. Although most of the original glass factory said the glass is UV blocking, but it can only block 90% of ultraviolet rays with wavelengths less than 300nm. For UVA with wavelengths between 300 and 350nm, the glass can only block about 10%. More than 90% Ultraviolet rays with a wavelength above 350nm will pass through the window glass, accelerating the volatilization of formaldehyde in the car, causing interior photoaging hazards.
The function of solar film is to block this part Ultraviolet rays and protect the skin of drivers and passengers and reduce the harm of photoaging, meanwhile it also can protect the interior, delaying the aging speed of interior, leather seats, instrument panels and other materials.
4.Anti-glare
Car tint film can make driving safer. The strong sunlight during the day, the high beams when meeting the car during night, and the suddenly bright field of vision when leaving the basement will interfere with the driver’s vision and affect driving safety.
The solar films can prevent strong Sunlight. Some solar films with color-changing effects can also change the luminous flux under different light, just like putting color-changing sunglasses on the windows of the car to protect the driving comfort of the driver. Sunvase photochromic film just has such property.
5.Explosion-proof
After the car solar film is installed, the tension will be attached on window glass with tension, which is equivalent to increasing the strength of the glass. At the same time, the film is installed inside of the glass. When the car encounters an unexpected situation and the glass bursts, it can prevent the broken glass from splashing and causing secondary injury to the person.
Some people may think that all car window glass is safety glass now, so it doesn’t matter if it is broken. In fact, no matter whether it is a luxury car or an ordinary car, the glass will splash out when it hits a certain level. If the quality of the car window film is not good enough which uses inferior PET material. When meet the impact force is too large, it will also cause glass fragments to splash out, so the car solar film with reliable quality can bring a greater sense of safety to our driving.
6.Privacy Protection
Usually the car windscreen has requirements for high light transmittance rate. But some low transmittance rate car solar films can be used for the side and rear gear of cars, so that the difference light between inside and outside of cars makes it difficult to see the inside of the car from the outside, so it looks like not only premium, but also very private.
How to Choose a Car Tint Film Scientifically?
How to choose a good car tint film is a great knowledge. If we choose a good one, it not only can save your purchase cost, but also can ensure the function of the solar films. On the contrary, if unfortunately we choose a poor quality solar film, it will not only waste money, but also bring Hidden danger for safety driving.
1.Recommended brands of car tinting films
3M
As one of the eight member units of the International Window Film Association (IWFA), 3M’s history and strength should not be underestimated. It not only owns a number of patented technologies for window films, but is also the owner of a number of world patents in the field of optical technology.
They have many series of car window films, which can meet the different needs of different groups of people. However, due to its high popularity and opaque channels, 3M has also become the primary brand of inferior film manufacturers to “fake”, adding unnecessary troublesome to consumers when people purchase it.
Llumar
The scale of production line and production capacity are leading, and it is relatively well-known among the post-80s and post-90s generation car owners. Its main product is magnetron sputtering film, which has good heat insulation and long-lasting effect, but it is a metallic film after all, which has an impact on the signal in the car. And the internal light reflection rate is also relatively high.
V-KOOL
Same as Llumar, V-Kool also belongs to Eastman from the United States. They also have many types of automotive window films, and the magnetron sputtering film is also relatively cost-effective. But the fly in the ointment is that it is still Metallic film, blocking the signal is inevitable.
Cost-effective Brands Represented by Sunvase
In fact, as a traditional industry, the automotive film market has deep-rooted brand awareness. People’s pursuit of brands is similar to that of daily consumer goods such as clothing. Big brands are symbols of quality and have good after-sales service, but the disadvantage is that big brands are too expensive. Such cost-effective brands are also a good choice.
For example, Sunvase automotive film, as a local Chinese brand, has been deeply cultivating the Chinese market, but has also expanded overseas markets in recent years, but it is different from other Chinese suppliers, Sunvase always puts quality In the first place, automotive film is not a high-tech industry, but it is an industry that is constantly innovating. On the premise of not having more brand promotion costs, it will bring the lowest cost to consumers, so that consumers can use lower prices to enjoy similar product quality as big brands, this might also be a good option.
2.Interpret the main parameters of car solar films
When we buy automotive film, we need to know what the basic parameters of the car solar film we want to choose, what impact these parameter values have on product quality, and what aspects need to be paid attention to when choosing, let’s introduce the main parameters one by one.
2.1 Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)
The Visible light transmittance determines the clarity of the car window film. The higher VLT, the higher clarity of film will be. On the contrary, the lower VLT, the darker color of the film will be.
Usually for Front window screen: the best light transmittance rate is between 70-80% or above to ensure driving safety and clear vision.
Side and rear windows: 15%-40% is the most suitable to maintain a certain degree of privacy; the rear window can also select lower light transmittance rate, such as between 15%-25%, the color will look darker and the privacy will be better.
2.2 Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER)
TSER is an important parameter to measure the thermal insulation performance of automotive tint film.
It must be at least 50%. In summer, this indicator determines whether the heat insulation is good or not. The heat source is infrared rays, so how much infrared rays can be blocked determines how much heat can be blocked. Most of the time, for same materials of solar film, the higher VLT the lower TSER, on the contrary, the lower VLT the higher TSER.
Generally speaking, there has different grade.
For wind screen: Above 50% is the first grade; 40%-50% for the second grade; below 50% is the third grade.
Side and rear windows: above 70% is the first grade; 50%-70% is the second grade; below 50% is the third grade.
2.3 UV Blocking Rate (UVR)
At least 85% or more, but at present most qualified solar films have a blocking rate of 99%, so just pay attention to this parameter.
2.4 Visible Light Reflection Rate
Basically between 5-15%, more than 15% will affect sight and danger for driving.
2.5 Film Thickness
Some poor quality car tint films have only 1.5mil thickness or even 1mil thickness, such as dyed films, which can only play a small role in sun protection and heat insulation, and the features decline quickly and are easy to fade. When choosing automotive films, you must pay attention and try not to choose dyed film. Whether it is 1ply or 2ply.
Usual qualified automotive tinting film has thickness of 2mil and 4mil, mostly it is 2mil. In addition it has a good performance of sun protection and heat insulation, it also has good performance of explosion-proof safety.
Some films even have a thickness of 6.5mil-8.0 mil, which is the same thickness as PPF. This kind of film is actually used for the outside of sunroof. The explosion-proof ability is much stronger, but because it is too thick, so it is not suitable for the car windows.
2.6 Quality Warranty Period
The 5-year warranty period is the basic warranty period, if the better one can reach 10 years, but the so-called lifetime warranty on the market is unreliable, because it can only guarantee one aspect, such as no bubbles, but thermal insulation, anti- Ultraviolet rays will not always remain without decay.
A reminder, friends, you must choose a window film with a warranty! If you are greedy for cheap and buy a poor quality car film, it is easy to blister, discolor, orange peel. Besides, not only it will have poor heat insulation effect, but also it will also release formaldehyde gas.
Since it is to be used every day, it is better to choose a better product.
2.7 Radio Signal Blocking Rate
It is common sense that the car solar film with metallic layers will block the radio signal, especially nowadays new energy vehicles, intelligent car networking, and intelligent driving functions all have high requirements on the signal. Once the signal transmission is blocked, it will become ineffective and driving safety will be affected.
The nanographene solar film can achieve zero signal blocking. Graphene is originally a single-layer hexagonal molecular structure. While the structure is stable, its molecular structure can allow 100% of the radio to pass through.
Some Tips About How to Maintain Car Tinting Films After Film Installed
1.Do not raise or lower the windows within 72 hours after installation. If meet rainy day, wait for two more days.
2.Do not scrub the windows within 72 hours after installation, and do not use the air conditioner to blow the film directly or use rear screen heater.
3.After installation, if there has fog between the film and the window glass, don’t worry about it. There will have residual moisture between the film and the window glass within a certain period of time. So recommend to park the car in the sun. It usually disappears within a week.
4.Do not use suction cups or any sticking products to stick on the car tinting film to prevent the car tinting film from falling off and causing air bubbles.
5.Do not use hard objects such as brushes, hard towels, and nails to scratch the surface of the film.
6.When clean the films, please use neutral detergent or water, do not use alcohol or ammonia solution, and use a soft, clean rubber or cotton cloth to clean up water stains.
Summary
Whether you have a luxury car or an ordinary car, we recommend to install a solar film on the car. Choose the film that is suitable for you according to this article. That is also important to choose a qualified shop and skilled installer. Please choose the films which has a warranty and after-sales service, so that you can use it more assuredly.
By the way, let’s introduce our Sunvase car tinting film, basically the warranty period can reach 10 years, a variety of light transmittance rate can be selected, high heat insulation, high UV resistance, the quality is basically same as some big brands on the market, and it has been continuously developed international market in recent years. If you are interested, you can contact us!
