Automotive And Car Tinting
What is automotive tint? Automotive window tint, typically applied to passenger cars and trucks, and low-cut window tint, usually applied to windows in a building or apartment, both have basically the same function; to enhance the visibility of the vehicle, especially when driving at night. Both types of tint provide a higher level of privacy than plain glass, because it covers the entire car. Both types also provide vehicles with UV protection, which helps prevent the formation of car oil or grease stains on the exterior of the car. The most common automotive tint used by drivers is High Definition (HD), which covers the whole car. HD does not alter the color of the vehicle.
Low-cut window tinting is the least visible of automotive tinting systems, as its design keeps most of its visibility secret. HD does alter the color of the vehicle, but it does not obscure the view of other drivers or the headlights. The system’s name came from the way the tint is applied to the front windshields. It was created for use on police cars and private cars to improve visibility at night. Today, however, this type of automotive tinting is obsolete, as high definition automotive tinting has taken over its role.
Automotive window tinting employs two different methods to create the opaque tint film. In the first method, low-cut plastic sheets are heated to more than 1000 degrees Fahrenheit in order to form a pattern. The plastic cools, which forms an iridescent coating. Because of the iridescence, the windows are virtually clear even during daylight hours, which is why automotive tinting with this method is often referred to “hot roll” or “rolling.”
The second method uses a special ultraviolet lamp to generate a wave of ultraviolet light that passes through the plastics. This light has no effect on the surface of clear glass, but it creates an invisible barrier that shoves the heat away. Because this type of automotive tint is only effective during the day, it must be thick enough to prevent glares from penetrating and to reduce heat buildup. Some automotive tinting with this method requires an additional step to ensure the glaze is free from heat build-up; thin automotive tint films can also be placed between the top and bottom panes to achieve this end.
Light-blocking automotive tint films can reduce both the amount of glare received and the duration of visible light. These films will either have a matte or semi-matte finish and may block all but the most intense sunlight. Because of their relatively solid nature, they do not heat up like the previous method and do not collect heat at all. Instead of using clear film, automotive tinting with this method relies upon your vehicle’s interior cabin design to insulate its occupants. By blocking out light, the cabin becomes cooler and more comfortable, which means everyone in the car will be more alert and have a more comfortable drive.
Another popular alternative in the automotive tinting market is flat glass tinting. This option is less messy and less time consuming than heat-based applications. Flat glass, much like the way flat glass windows work, blocks out most of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, while leaving enough visibility to allow some light through. Since automotive flat glass tinting does not contain heat-resistant chemicals, it must continually be topped up to retain its cloudy look. The added expense and hassle of automotive flat glass tinting make it more appealing to drivers who don’t want to deal with the messy clean up process or those who just prefer a dull, uncluttered look for their automobile windows.
Many automotive windows are also made with a form of clear window tint instead of flat glass tint. These types of tints are typically coated on both the inside and outside of the glass and are applied with a special sprayer that spreads the tints across the window. Since these types of tints don’t rely on a heat-sensitive adhesive like the heat-tinted glass tints, they do not require spraying and are less messy to remove. Some automotive window tinting also comes in a clear version that is coated on the inside of automotive windows, but can be removed easily with a moist cloth. These types of tints are popular for their UV protection, although some controversy exists over their impact on the human body.
In addition to automotive tinting, car owners may also choose to purchase window film for their automobile windows. Window film has many advantages over traditional tinted films, including its versatility, easy installation, and low cost. The primary advantage of window film is that it can be personalized to meet the exact color and shade of choice by printing on-demand. Other benefits include its durability, ease of application, and ability to reduce the formation of smudges and fingerprints.
