Clear window tint film? Is it for real?

[BocaDave]

I live in Florida, and extra window tinting is a must down here.

On my previous cars I've had the darkest "legal" tinting on side and rear windows, but haven't tinted the front windows for safety (and legal) reasons.

Some local dealers are advertising "Clear Ultra-Vision Window Film", claiming that it eliminates 99.9% of UV light, and that it does a decent job of keeping the heat out.

Does anyone have experience with these "Clear" films on either the front or side windows?

Its important for me to have maximum visibility, because my night vision is not the greatest, so a clear film would have lots of appeal, if it actually kept UV out and reduced the head in the car.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

 

[Gambler]

A clear film can certainly filter UV, however I would be surprised if there was any noticeable heat blocking.

 

[DubaiRich]

Not true. There is a product call V-Kool...This is from their website.

"Unlike conventional solar control materials which absorb and re-radiate heat, V-KOOL combines high performance solar control with high visible light transmission. Our “intelligent” window coating allows over 70% light transmission, and blocks out 94% and 99% infra-red and ultra-violet rays respectively, without impeding clarity and visibility, day or night.

Our films are manufactured at Southwall Technologies' plant at Dresden, Germany, tapping on a complex sputter-metallized, multi-layered dielectric coating process. This process involves the use of the State-of-the-Art Multi-chamber DC Magnetron Sputtering Machine, which cost an investment of USD24million each. With these, multi-layers of metallic coatings of thickness even less than a hairline are embedded onto the world’s top 1% grade of optically-clear and durable polyester film. "

I have it on my BMW...the cost however is up there.

 

[Sayantsi]

Plain glass will block UVB, as for UVA, it can be blocked with the right material - its used in glasses and sunglasses, so I imagine it can be a clear film.

 

[ShoNuff]

Blocking the UVA/UVB is useless from a thermodynamic context, however. The product mentioned by DubaiRich would be a different matter since it (allegedly) blocks the infra-red spectrum. Too bad it sounds pricey.

 

[bradyb]

I live in Florida, and extra window tinting is a must down here.

On my previous cars I've had the darkest "legal" tinting on side and rear windows, but haven't tinted the front windows for safety (and legal) reasons.

Some local dealers are advertising "Clear Ultra-Vision Window Film", claiming that it eliminates 99.9% of UV light, and that it does a decent job of keeping the heat out.

Does anyone have experience with these "Clear" films on either the front or side windows?

Its important for me to have maximum visibility, because my night vision is not the greatest, so a clear film would have lots of appeal, if it actually kept UV out and reduced the head in the car.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

as i understand it the glass in the genny is laminated and it contains uva/b blockers already

 

[Mark_888]

There are several films on the market that are almost clear (70%+ VLT). These are usually high tech sputtered films that do a reasonable job of heat rejection. However, technically they are illegal in all states since you are not even allowed to put on a 90% VLT product on the front glass (except in the visor area along the top of the windshield). But if you have 35%+ VLT on all your other windows it is doubtful that a law enforcement person would notice a 70% product on your windshield. But many people (including me) just use a sun block visor on the windshield when the car is parked, since it provides much better protection.

 

[scottdk]

There are several films on the market that are almost clear (70%+ VLT). These are usually high tech sputtered films that do a reasonable job of heat rejection. However, technically they are illegal in all states since you are not even allowed to put on a 90% VLT product on the front glass (except in the visor area along the top of the windshield). But if you have 35%+ VLT on all your other windows it is doubtful that a law enforcement person would notice a 70% product on your windshield. But many people (including me) just use a sun block visor on the windshield when the car is parked, since it provides much better protection.

Interesting that you mention the VLT on windshields, since many people may not even think of this.

The factory windshield on my Elantra I owned had the "solar glass" and stamped on the same location stated 70% VLT, but it actually measured out to 80% VLT.

Taking a quick look at the Genesis windshield, I noticed the windshield does not state a VLT at all. However, It seems that many vehicles in the last decade or so have a "factory tinted" windshield. I'll measure what the Genesis windshield's VLT is and report back.

EDIT - The windshield measures out to 76 VLT -

 

[Mark_888]

Interesting that you mention the VLT on windshields, since many people may not even think of this.

The factory windshield on my Elantra I owned had the "solar glass" and stamped on the same location stated 70% VLT, but it actually measured out to 80% VLT.

Taking a quick look at the Genesis windshield, I noticed the windshield does not state a VLT at all. However, It seems that many vehicles in the last decade or so have a "factory tinted" windshield. I'll measure what the Genesis windshield's VLT is and report back.

AFAIK all 50 states allow factory tinting to some degree (not sure how much) but you cannot legally add any tint film after that regardless of whether the windshield is factory tinted or not (almost all cars have some factory tinting). Even clear glass has a VLT of less than 100%.

 

[Snyper]

AFAIK all 50 states allow factory tinting to some degree (not sure how much) but you cannot legally add any tint film after that regardless of whether the windshield is factory tinted or not (almost all cars have some factory tinting). Even clear glass has a VLT of less than 100%.

Old post,. Its completely wrong information. It is legal to put aftermarket tint on factory glass in just about every state. In fact, on maryland.gov website there is even a section explaining how to get legal tint by supplying a math formula for you to figure out the legal tint % you can add to factory tint to stay legal. In Maryland :

Tint darkness for sedans: Windshield: Non-reflective 35% VLT tint is allowed on the AS-1 line or top 5 inches of the windshield. Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Back Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Rear Window: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Tint darkness for SUV and vans: Windshield: Non-reflective 35% VLT tint is allowed on the AS-1 line or top 5 inches of the windshield. Front Side windows: Must allow more than 35% of light in. Back Side windows: Any darkness can be used. Rear Window: Any darkness can be used. Break light in back window must not be covered with tint.

Source: Maryland Tint Laws - 2018 & 2019 - Car Tinting Laws
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