To PPF or not?
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,045
Likes: 1,427
No, I didn't do the front windshield because it is laminated glass and is treated for UVB/UVA rays. Windshields let very little UV into the cabin. The other glass in the car does not receive the same treatment and is not laminated, so it lets the most UV in.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 72
Likes: 24
From: Toronto, Canada
Did you do the front windshield? It's the biggest window that lets in UV rays to the dash and front of the seats.. I'm a dark tint lover so I did 15% all around but 70% on the windshield.. In hindsight, I wish I did 50% on the windshield since the 70% is not even noticeable.. Even when i tell people the windshield is tinted with 70% they are surprised because it's so clear.. I have full leather dash so windshield tint is a must in my books...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 132
From: Mississauga
I'm used to it as I've been driving tinted cars like that for 30+ years.. Also, the darkness looking into the windows from the outside in is not the same darkness from inside out. It might be hard to see inside the car at night but it's definitely not hard to see out..
Racer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 258
Likes: 132
From: Mississauga
even though its treated for UVB/UVA rays, not sure the percentage level of protection it provides, tint is usually 99%+.. For me its also the heat rejection the tint provides, it makes a noticeable difference when using film on the windshield...
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 453
Likes: 113
From: Toronto, Canada
Yes, we offer XPEL tint as well. When using a premium ceramic tint (like XPEL Prime XR), the UV and IR rejecting characteristics are a property of the material - not the color. The film provides ~75-85% IR heat rejection and 100% UV rejection across the range of shades (ie 70% -> 20%). So you can choose whatever LOOK you're going for and still get significant heat rejection. That's why we typically use 70% for the windshield since it has virtually no color, but still offers good IR heat rejection.
This is NOT true of cheaper dyed film tint, which is essentially cosmetic only.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 453
Likes: 113
From: Toronto, Canada
Yes, windshields are good at UV filtering from the factory. The benefit of ceramic tint on the windshield is for IR heat rejection. Just helps keep the cabin more comfortable, and you feel less heat on your skin when driving into the sun.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 453
Likes: 113
From: Toronto, Canada
Plus the tint will help hide the ugly metal finish behind the seats because I didn't spring for the leather backing since I didn't think it would be noticeable. D'oh.[/QUOTE]
The most popular tint shades are:
- 20% (for the darkest look)
- 35% (for a noticeably darker look, but you can still see silhouettes inside the car from outside)
- 50% (looks slightly darkened, almost twilight looking)
As mentioned previously by 08 Mac Cab TT, the tint does look darker from the outside than it does when looking out from the inside. So the visibility with 20% is still quite good. Think of the factory window tone on the rear windows of a typical SUV. They look really dark from the outside, but the visibility is still good from inside even at night.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 453
Likes: 113
From: Toronto, Canada
It's a beauty! And it will be SO much easier to maintain with the PPF. As we all know, black paint picks up scratches and swirls incredibly easily. The PPF will not show any of these tiny incidental marks from touching, washing, driving. And any more significant scuffs can be resolved by the self-healing properties of the PPF (just add heat!).
