People choose to have their car, truck and SUV windows tinted for many different reasons. Sometimes they’re after a specific look for their vehicle. Sometimes they want to improve the safety and security of their vehicle contents. Recently, campaigns by the World Health Organization and the Skin Cancer Foundation have educated the public about the benefits of window tinting as a popular way to protect your skin from damage caused by the sun. Let’s look at how a quality window tint solution can dramatically reduce your risk of sunburn, wrinkles and even skin cancer.

What is Ultraviolet Radiation?

The sun produces a great deal of energy. This energy includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared energy, visible light, ultraviolet rays, X-rays and gamma rays. UV radiation is broken down into three subcategories: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC radiation has wavelengths between 100 and 280 nanometers and is blocked almost completely by the ozone, water vapor, carbon dioxide and oxygen in our atmosphere. UVB energy ranges from 280 to 315 nanometers. The atmosphere blocks roughly 90 percent of UVB energy. UVA ranges from 315 to 400 nanometers and, because of the high levels that reach the surface of the planet, is responsible for the majority of the skin damage we experience.

How Does Our Skin React to UV Radiation?

Our skin naturally produces a dark pigment called melanin when exposed to UV radiation. Melanin serves as a shield against UV damage. If the UV exposure is prolonged, the layer of cells in the upper skin layer is killed. The result is that your skin turns red in a process called erythema. Contrary to the term “healthy tan,” there is no such thing.

Prolonged and repeated exposure to UV radiation can cause your skin to wrinkle. UVB rays cause a rapid increase in the number of cells in the outer layer of our skin. As more cells are produced, the outer layer (called the epidermis) thickens. UVA rays penetrate deeper into our skin and disrupt the connective tissues. This causes the skin to lose its elasticity. Bags, sags and wrinkles are common signs of a loss in elasticity.

Excessive damage to skin cells is very bad. If your body can’t repair the cells, they can divide and grow at an uncontrolled rate. This growth can eventually form a cancerous tumor.

Why Cars and Trucks Put Our Skin at Risk

When automakers design our cars and trucks, their goal is to provide as much visibility as possible in front of, beside and behind the vehicle. They achieve this with large windows. The drawback of these large windows is that we aren’t very well protected from the sun.

How Can Automotive Window Tinting Protect You?

Automotive window films from companies like 3M, Llumar and Scorpion block between 95 percent and 99 percent of ultraviolet radiation. This protection is the equivalent of wearing a lotion sunscreen with an SPF rating of 1000. You get the same exposure to UV energy after 1,000 minutes as you would in 1 minute without the tint. That’s impressive.

Does Darker Window Tint Protect Better?

The answer to the question “Does darker tint protect better?” is both yes and no. Within a specific series of window films, you may find that their lightest shade of tint (say, a 50 percent tint) blocks 95 percent of UV energy where the darkest films (around 5 percent) blocks 99 percent. Both are quite excellent and offer exceptional protection.

Many window films are available that block the majority of UV energy without dramatically affecting the transmission of visible light. Products like 3M Crystalline, Llumar Clear Window Tint and Scorpion Shield-Series films allow between 72 percent and 86 percent of visible light into your vehicle while blocking 99 percent of UV energy. In many states, this film can be used on the windshield of your vehicle for added protection.

UV Material Damage

UVA and UVB energy are also responsible for causing the color of textiles and leather to fade. The process of breaking down the chemical bonds in the dyes used in these materials is called photodegradation. Dyed textiles are particularly susceptible to fading. Having your windows tinted with a quality film will help maintain the appearance and value of your vehicle for many years.

Protect Yourself Today with Window Tinting

Whether you just drove off the dealership lot in a new car or you’ve been cruising around in the car you bought in high school, having your windows tinted is a great way to protect your skin and your vehicle from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Visit your local mobile enhancement retailer to find out about the automotive window films they have available.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

In 1966, 3M developed the first window tinting solution to reflect the heat energy of the sun away and help keep the interior of your vehicle cool. Dozens of companies now manufacture window tint films and each has several different series of films with varied performance offerings. In the last few years, many companies have begun to offer window films that provide exceptional UV and IR energy reflection while allowing visible light to pass into the vehicle. Read on for a closer look at why darker window tint isn’t necessary to improve the comfort of your car, truck or motorhome.

Where Does the Heat Come from?

Most people think of the sun as a light source, but it is also responsible for a broad spectrum of electromagnetic energy. The majority of the energy that reaches the earth is visible light. There is also ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) energy.

UV energy causes sunburns and the coloring and dyes in materials to fade. IR energy is at the opposite end of the solar energy spectrum from UV energy. Infrared energy extends from the top of the visible light spectrum at 430 terahertz to beyond 300 gigahertz. Slightly more than half of the energy that reaches the Earth’s surface is infrared and is responsible for heating our planet and, subsequently, the interiors of our vehicles.

The heat energy produced by the sun is about 1,000 watts per square meter (equal to 10.76 sq. ft.) on the Earth’s surface in clear conditions. Luckily, our atmosphere blocks more than 70% of the total solar ultraviolet energy from reaching the surface. If it did not our lives would be much less comfortable.

Let’s Talk about Film Darkness

Visible light transmission, glare reduction, shade or darkness – whatever term you see quoted, they refer to how much visible light will pass through a film. A higher number represents the transmission of more light – 100% would be an entirely transparent film and 0% would represent a coating of black paint.

While it seems logical to want a dark film to keep the light and heat energy out of our vehicles, window films block light transfer in both directions. A dark film can make it harder to see around you at night. Choosing the best film for your application requires balancing how dark you want, local laws and, of course, your safety.

How Clear Window Films Work

Constructed of many layers, each with different properties, modern clear films are designed to reduce the transmission of infrared energy into your vehicle. It is hard to directly quantify the amount of heat energy that is blocked, because visible light is also responsible for heating. What we do know is that clear solar control films block significantly more heat energy for a given shade than conventional dyed, carbon or metallic films.

Is Darker Window Tint Necessary?

Within a particular series of window films from a manufacturer, a darker film offers more Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER). Let’s look at the Black film series from Autobahn. Their Black 50 49% visible light transmission (VLT) film provides 30% TSER. Stepping up to the Black 30 film, rated for 31% VLT, solar energy rejection is rated at 36%. Their darkest film, called Black 05, offers 5% VLT and 43% total solar energy rejection. As you can see, darker films block more solar energy within the series.

To contrast this example, let’s look at the Ceramic Series from Huper Optik. Their Klar 85 film allows 85% of visible light to pass into your vehicle, but provides an incredible 32% TSER. You are right in thinking that it offers the same net performance as the Black 50. If we look at Ceramic 50, which is rated for 50% VLT, the TSER is an impressive 50%. Yep, that outperforms the Black 05. At the top of the Ceramic range is the Ceramic 05. This film has a 6% VLT rating and provides 75% TSER. That is more than 1.7 more energy rejection than Black 05.

To directly answer the question, darker films within a series block more energy. When comparing different brands of films or different series, the materials and construction used to manufacture a film determine its performance.

Comparing Specifications

Trying to determine the best film for your vehicle can be tricky. Film manufacturers, just like any other industry, like to manipulate specifications and terminology to produce figures that look impressive. When it comes to blocking thermal energy, the reflected or block infrared energy specifications are often generic or specified in a narrow band of IR frequencies. These inconsistencies make apples-to-apples comparison difficult. However, you can be confident that within a manufacturer’s range of products, unless explicitly specified, performance differences between shades and series will all be provided using consistent measurement techniques.

Install Comfort with an IR Blocking Window Film

As a general approach, if keeping the interior of your vehicle comfortable is your primary concern, then look for a ceramic or clear film solution. These products are designed to help make your vehicle more comfortable and ease the load on its air conditioning system. As a by-product of their premium status, ceramic and clear films often carry a lifetime warranty against fading, discoloration (turning purple), bubbling, peeling or cracking. You may invest a little more money upfront, but you can be confident that the film will offer protection and comfort for many years.

For more information about premium window films and having some installed on your vehicle, contact your local mobile enhancement retailer.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Automotive window film has been around for more than 50 years. What started as a spray-on process to add privacy has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. Modern window films offer amazing optical clarity, excellent heat rejection, reduced glare and improved occupant protection. Let’s look at what this technology is and some of the reasons why people tint their windows.

What Is Window Film?

Most window films are made from a thin polyester sheet with layers of a proprietary mixture of coatings. These coating materials offer UV-, IR- and light-blocking properties. Window films are applied directly to the inside surface of the glass and include an adhesive to ensure they stay in place. High-quality films are designed not to fade or change color over their lives. These quality adhesives will not break down and cause the film to release over time.

Window Film and Light Transmission

The typical facility that sells and installs window film may carry as many as four of five different grades of film. Each grade often has several different light transmission levels available. Films are rated by the percentage of visible light that they allow to pass. A 15 percent film only lets 15% of the light directed at the film pass through. A 5% film would be very dark, while a 70% film is very light.

Why Use Window Film?

There are four main reasons to use window film or tint on your vehicle:

• Improve styling
• Security
• Heat rejection
• Protection against UV rays

Style

There is no doubt that a vehicle with professionally installed window tint looks cool. A white car with a dark tint evokes the “stormtrooper” look, while a dark paint color with tinted windows and no chrome is an amazing “blacked out” style. Whatever your preference, tinting your windows can have a dramatic effect on the style of your vehicle.

Safety

Windows films that protect the vehicle and its occupants are steadily growing in popularity. There are security films designed specifically to adhere firmly to the tempered glass of side and rear windows. These films keep the window intact in an accident or an attempted “break and enter.” If you are concerned about attempted break-ins, ask your local window tint specialist about security films.

Heat Rejection

One of the most popular reasons to tint your windows is to help keep the interior of your vehicle cool. The key to succeeding at this goal is to request a good-quality window film. These thermal blocking films are often called “nano” or “ceramic.”

Think about just how much glass there is in the average vehicle. What does your steering wheel feel like when you get in the car on a hot summer day? In most cases, you can barely touch it! Premium films are designed to block heat, not just light. They not only help keep your car cooler, but they ease the load on your air conditioning system. That can directly translate into savings in fuel costs.

When it comes to blocking heat, the amount of light the film transmits is not the only criterion. Many shops will have a way to demonstrate the capabilities of heat-blocking films, often using a heat lamp display of some sort. There are 5% films that use dyes that barely block any heat. At the other end of the spectrum, there are films that allow more than 70% of light to pass, but block 50% of the heat from the sun.

Skin Protection

The Skin Cancer Foundation has released an article about the benefits of window films that are designed to block UV rays. UVA and UVB rays are what cause sunburns and eye damage. Conventional glass blocks the transmission of UVB radiation, but UVA rays can pass through effectively unhindered. These protective films can block up to 97% of UVA rays. Unlike traditional films, many of these UV-blocking films offer excellent light transmission characteristics. As much as 93% of visible light can be transmitted, making them suitable for use on windshields in some areas. The best of these films offer an equivalent Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of up to 1,000. If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle, then you should look into UV-blocking films.

We have all seen pictures of cracked vinyl dashboards in our favorite ’70s and ’80s cars. The same window film protection characteristics that protect you also protect your vehicle. Plastic, vinyl, rubber and cloth are all susceptible to damage and fading caused by UV exposure. A quality window film keeps your car interior not only cool, but looking great for years.

Film Installation

It is best to seek out a professional installer to have window film installed. They are trained in techniques to ensure that the film is cut and shrunk to fit the glass perfectly. The difference between a do-it-yourself job and a professional installation extends far beyond the initial result. Proper installation techniques ensure that no fingerprints, dust or debris get caught under the film. A proper installation will last longer because it adheres to the glass better. The film won’t peel or pull away from the edges or defroster lines.

If you are interested in having your windows tinted, check with your local tinting professionals. Ask to see examples of their work, and be sure to discuss different qualities of film and ask about their thermal, UV and light transmission capabilities. Modern window films are amazing feats of engineering that can protect you and your vehicle while making it look awesome.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.