Does Cars with stock Tinted Glass need Sunfilm ?

mithun · 20th October 2006, 07:01

Most probably everyone knows that Tinted Glass are normal float-clear glass into whose melt colorants are added for tinting and solar-radiation absorption properties. And the production is the same as in float glass production. The only variation is the colorants mixed at the beginning with the standard raw materials. And also, different additives may produce differently coloured glasses.

But my question is whether extra Sunfilm is needed for cars which comes stock with Tinted Glass so as to protect the inside of car from solar-radiation & heat ?

yogi1771 · 20th October 2006, 07:47

its never too bad to have extra protection

eflanker · 20th October 2006, 07:53

dont really like dark glasses like they use in this country.

Its pretty much banned in most part of the world - so I am used to it over there - as it is a safely issue. You obviously see better with clean glass, but as you know most people dont even use rear view mirror here, you can seal their eyes and they will still drive!

In my swift i dont have any aftermarket film - didnt want to make it cheap.

I noticed that - stock glass on swift actually turns a little darker in the hot sun.

theMAG · 20th October 2006, 09:14

Technically, no, you don't need sunfilm if your glasses are tinted. From an aesthetics and privacy PoV you might still need it tho.

Pankaj401 · 20th October 2006, 09:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflanker

dont really like dark glasses like they use in this country.

Its pretty much banned in most part of the world - so I am used to it over there - as it is a safely issue.

Which coutries are you talking about? Can you be a little specific?

viper · 20th October 2006, 10:01

Guys,

The most important and only thing you should consider is heat rejection. A good quaity sub film not necesarily dark will offer far superior heat rejection than the tinted glasses. Also sun film is very good from the safety point of view(not privacy) as they prevent the glass from shattering on impact with any object protecting the occupants from flying shards which can be fatal.

I feel that cosmetic reasons and privacy is ones personal choice and no point debating on that.

Viper

Pankaj401 · 20th October 2006, 10:15

What is the law regarding Tinted Glass?

The law specifies the level of light transmission through glass. The front windscreen has to allow through 75% of available light. The two front side windows have to allow through 70% of available light.
The legislation does not allow for different interpretations it is quite clear. It does not refer to the construction of the glass, or make an allowance for adding tinted film, it refers to light transmission into the vehicle.

Source: Essex Police UK

[SIZE=2]Coloring or tinting of windshields and windows. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Coloring or tinting of windshields and the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver is allowed, provided the parallel luminous transmittance through the colored or tinted glazing is not less than 70 percent of the light at normal incidence in those portions of the windshield or windows which are marked as having a parallel luminous transmittance of not less than 70 percent. The transmittance restriction does not apply to other windows on the commercial motor vehicle.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2][/SIZE]
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

And as far as I know even we have a similar law where 70% min and 50% light transmission is legally required for front-back and side glass respectively.

esteem_lover · 20th October 2006, 11:21

good quality sunfilms are extremely useful for the purposes as stated by viper. tinted glasses will not ensure UV block or heat rejection. on the other hand, there are cheap sunfilms in the market which will only provide 'Privacy' & none of the others quoted above. i for one kept the clear glass for as long as 4 years & then finally gave in to the sunfilm for effective cooling inside the car.

Boom Shiva · 20th October 2006, 11:37

Hi Mithun, I have both on my car. The tinted glasses are nice especially in the night when they cut the glare of oncoming headlights.

But if you're looking for better cooling and heat rejection, you will definitely be better of with a good sunfilm.

supremeBaleno · 20th October 2006, 11:51

The stock tinted glass on my car does a pretty good job and never felt the need for extra film. Also I love to have a good allround view while driving. Plus the a/c is a chiller - hence no issues with cooling sans sunfilm.

gd1418 · 21st October 2006, 09:39

You mean Swift comes equipped with photochromatic glasses? That's real cool if it is so..

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflanker

dont really like dark glasses like they use in this country.

Its pretty much banned in most part of the world - so I am used to it over there - as it is a safely issue. You obviously see better with clean glass, but as you know most people dont even use rear view mirror here, you can seal their eyes and they will still drive!

In my swift i dont have any aftermarket film - didnt want to make it cheap.

I noticed that - stock glass on swift actually turns a little darker in the hot sun.

esteem_lover · 22nd October 2006, 20:53

i dont think there is photochromatic glasses in the swift. what eflanker has seen is the tinted glass looks darker when there is light around it. in the darkness, you will not even notice the tint.

mithun · 23rd October 2006, 05:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflanker

I noticed that - stock glass on swift actually turns a little darker in the hot sun.

Is it true ? I don't have any experience of it in Swift. Would you please explain more ?

Speedme · 23rd October 2006, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by eflanker

I noticed that - stock glass on swift actually turns a little darker in the hot sun.

I do not think they make photochromatic glesses for cars

due to the transition period for the normal clarity to prevail in thoses windscreens.
What may seem like darkening of the glass can be attributed to the interior
of the car and the direction of the suns rays being reflected off the
clean surface of the glass.

ram_hyundai · 23rd October 2006, 22:25

it depends ,the stock tinted glass comes with 30% tinting or 70% transperancy.so if you put on a decent sunfilm itll increase to 45% tinting .and there is no point in putting the dark ones to increase the tint because it remains the same irrespective of the colour-45%.and dark ones does impair vission during the dusks when the streat lamps are not on and the other vehicles have not switched on their lights.the 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm time is the most dangerous.

20th October 2006, 07:01	#1
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Does Cars with stock Tinted Glass need Sunfilm ? Most probably everyone knows that Tinted Glass are normal float-clear glass into whose melt colorants are added for tinting and solar-radiation absorption properties. And the production is the same as in float glass production. The only variation is the colorants mixed at the beginning with the standard raw materials. And also, different additives may produce differently coloured glasses. But my question is whether extra Sunfilm is needed for cars which comes stock with Tinted Glass so as to protect the inside of car from solar-radiation & heat ?
	(1) Thanks

20th October 2006, 07:47	#2
yogi1771 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 697 Thanked: 16 Times	its never too bad to have extra protection
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 07:53	#3
eflanker BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 88 Thanked: 2 Times	dont really like dark glasses like they use in this country. Its pretty much banned in most part of the world - so I am used to it over there - as it is a safely issue. You obviously see better with clean glass, but as you know most people dont even use rear view mirror here, you can seal their eyes and they will still drive! In my swift i dont have any aftermarket film - didnt want to make it cheap. I noticed that - stock glass on swift actually turns a little darker in the hot sun.
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 09:14	#4
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Technically, no, you don't need sunfilm if your glasses are tinted. From an aesthetics and privacy PoV you might still need it tho. Last edited by theMAG : 20th October 2006 at 09:16.
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 10:01	#6
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,766 Thanked: 20 Times	Guys, The most important and only thing you should consider is heat rejection. A good quaity sub film not necesarily dark will offer far superior heat rejection than the tinted glasses. Also sun film is very good from the safety point of view(not privacy) as they prevent the glass from shattering on impact with any object protecting the occupants from flying shards which can be fatal. I feel that cosmetic reasons and privacy is ones personal choice and no point debating on that. Viper
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 10:15	#7
Pankaj401 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 215 Thanked: 7 Times	What is the law regarding Tinted Glass? The law specifies the level of light transmission through glass. The front windscreen has to allow through 75% of available light. The two front side windows have to allow through 70% of available light. The legislation does not allow for different interpretations it is quite clear. It does not refer to the construction of the glass, or make an allowance for adding tinted film, it refers to light transmission into the vehicle. Source: Essex Police UK [SIZE=2]Coloring or tinting of windshields and windows. [/SIZE] [SIZE=2][/SIZE] [SIZE=2]Coloring or tinting of windshields and the windows to the immediate right and left of the driver is allowed, provided the parallel luminous transmittance through the colored or tinted glazing is not less than 70 percent of the light at normal incidence in those portions of the windshield or windows which are marked as having a parallel luminous transmittance of not less than 70 percent. The transmittance restriction does not apply to other windows on the commercial motor vehicle.[/SIZE] [SIZE=2][/SIZE] Source: U.S. Department of Transportation And as far as I know even we have a similar law where 70% min and 50% light transmission is legally required for front-back and side glass respectively.
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 11:21	#8
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 513 Times View My Garage	good quality sunfilms are extremely useful for the purposes as stated by viper. tinted glasses will not ensure UV block or heat rejection. on the other hand, there are cheap sunfilms in the market which will only provide 'Privacy' & none of the others quoted above. i for one kept the clear glass for as long as 4 years & then finally gave in to the sunfilm for effective cooling inside the car.
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 11:37	#9
Boom Shiva BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,044 Thanked: 19 Times	Hi Mithun, I have both on my car. The tinted glasses are nice especially in the night when they cut the glare of oncoming headlights. But if you're looking for better cooling and heat rejection, you will definitely be better of with a good sunfilm.
	() Thanks

20th October 2006, 11:51	#10
supremeBaleno Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chennai / Kochi Posts: 5,674 Thanked: 2,906 Times View My Garage	The stock tinted glass on my car does a pretty good job and never felt the need for extra film. Also I love to have a good allround view while driving. Plus the a/c is a chiller - hence no issues with cooling sans sunfilm.
	() Thanks

22nd October 2006, 20:53	#12
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 513 Times View My Garage	i dont think there is photochromatic glasses in the swift. what eflanker has seen is the tinted glass looks darker when there is light around it. in the darkness, you will not even notice the tint.
	() Thanks

23rd October 2006, 22:25	#15
ram_hyundai Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calicut ,trisur Posts: 2,019 Thanked: 53 Times View My Garage	it depends ,the stock tinted glass comes with 30% tinting or 70% transperancy.so if you put on a decent sunfilm itll increase to 45% tinting .and there is no point in putting the dark ones to increase the tint because it remains the same irrespective of the colour-45%.and dark ones does impair vission during the dusks when the streat lamps are not on and the other vehicles have not switched on their lights.the 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm time is the most dangerous.
	() Thanks