Car tinting is an essential part of vehicle ownership, improving not only passenger comfort but the aesthetics of the car. While we all want the best window tint for our car, there are many factors to consider, such as the different tint features, types of tint, and complying with tinting laws in Australia.
Let’s take a closer look at how to choose the right window tint for your car.
Key Benefits of Window Tinting
A good quality tint film can have many benefits. Here are some of the main ones.
UV Protection
Car window tints come with various UV protection capacities, with some tints blocking more than 99.9% of UV rays. Considering the nature of the Aussie sun and how it’s notorious for causing eye damage, skin cancer, and sunburn - installing tints with strong UV protection is quite critical.
Your car’s interior must be protected from UV too, as it can keep your interiors safe from fading. A good quality tint will help you do that.
Temperature Control
Haven’t we all felt the burn of the sun on our hands and feet while driving? Tinting your car windows stops that by preventing the sun’s heat and UV from entering your car. This not only reduces its interior temperature but also saves fuel by not having your air-conditioning on full blast.
Enchanted Privacy and Security
The right tint can limit visibility into your car, along with the likelihood of thefts and break-ins. Different tint films have various privacy ranges, from lightly tinted windows to nearly opaque finishes.
A high-quality tint film typically offers privacy and is durable, making it challenging for intruders to peep into your car. They also add a layer of privacy for you and your passengers, making your drive more comfortable.
Improved Aesthetics
Perhaps a lesser-known benefit of window tinting is its aesthetic appeal. Tints add a sleek, stylish appearance to your car, and if you’re adding a PPF or ceramic coating to your vehicle - it’s definitely a must-have complement.
What to Consider When Choosing Window Tint
Here are some considerations when selecting the best window tint for your car.
Purpose of the Tint
What is your priority when tinting? Perhaps you want to reject heat or maintain privacy. Or you’re looking for a tint purely for aesthetic purposes. Some drivers are particular about the look of the tint, while others simply want the best performance.
Once you have your purpose in check, you can start looking at the type of tint materials.
Type of Tint Materials
There are four major window tint types, each with its strengths and weaknesses.
Dyed Film
An affordable but less durable tint option. Dyed tints have a good heat and UV ray-blocking capacity, and they can reduce the glare in your vehicle. It’s a cost-effective option that does the job well.
Metalised Film
These films are strong and shiny, containing tiny metallic particles that are better at reflecting heat and UV radiation. However, some metallised tints may interfere with electronics, so beware Tesla owners!
Carbon Film
Carbon films are highly durable and known for their matte finish and good heat rejection. These tints are a popular choice for car owners wanting a sleek appearance while tinting their car with a stronger film.
Ceramic Film
This film type is a premium option with excellent UV protection and heat rejection performance. Ceramic films are also signal-friendly and will not interfere with your car’s electronics. For owners who want to splurge on their tint, these are a good option too.
Understanding Visible Light Transmission (VLT)
Visible light transmission is a popular term in tinting, referring to a percentage of how much light your tint lets through the window. A lower percentage indicates a darker tint and lesser light can come through, while a higher percentage means a lighter tint with more light coming into the vehicle.
Selecting a VLT percentage for your tint is a personal choice. Some owners prefer a darker tint for more privacy, while others simply want to reduce glare or UV rays - in which a higher percentage is also great.
Checking Local Laws and Regulations
Before tinting, you should check state laws regarding what level of tint is acceptable. Australia has different restrictions for each state regarding the darkness of your tint.
In Victoria, VLTs on car windscreens cannot be lower than 70%. Front-side windows (driver windows) must have a minimum VLT of 35%, while all windows behind the driver seat – including back side windows and rear windshield, can have a minimum 20% VLT tint.
More information on window tinting rules can be found on Transport Victoria’s website.
Other Features
There are some key features that you should look for when selecting a car window tint. Understanding these features, and what you and your car needs, will help you choose a better tint. They are:
- Glare Reduction: The effectiveness of the tint in reducing brightness or glare.
- Solar Energy Rejection: How much solar energy (heat) is blocked by the film.
- Ultraviolet Rejection: How much ultraviolet (UV) radiation is blocked by the film.
Cost Considerations
The costs of your car tint can be influenced by many things. This could range from the make and model of your car, the type of window tint film, and the number of windows you want tinted.
For example, tints with 90% heat protection and high UV ray-blocking features are more expensive. So, it’s important to balance costs with quality and your car's long-term value. If you’re unsure which film to select at your price point, speaking to our tint installation team certainly helps!
Get Your Tint Professionally Installed
When installing your vehicle tint, you may be tempted to DIY and install it yourself. While this may be a cost-effective option, it takes serious precision and skill, which can be tricky for beginners. Installing it yourself may cause you to ruin the tint and your windows, which can be a hassle to get them fixed in the end.
Professionally installing your car’s tint comes with many perks, such as a tint warranty, access to high-quality materials, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So why risk your time and money when you can get it right the first time? Your car will thank you for it.
At Peninsula Tint, we pride ourselves on delivering good quality car window tinting with exceptional workmanship built on 17 years of experience. For all your window tinting needs and queries, please contact a member of our friendly customer support team below for a FREE quote.