Removable car window tinting. hard and silicone

Today on the street you can see many cars with tinted windows. Why do they do this? For every driver, his car is no less important than his home; no one wants his personal space to be watched. While ordinary curtains will work in an apartment, you won’t be able to hang them in a car.

A good option would be silicone tinting - reviews of which say that it is inexpensive and brings good results. In addition to insulating the interior space, tinted windows also perform protective functions and protect the interior from overheating.

People decide to tint based on different goals. The main thing is to hide the interior space of the vehicle. This will allow you to spend time comfortably even in a traffic jam, when all participants in such a “movement” are trying to look at each other out of boredom. You can also leave personal and expensive things in the car, which bad people won’t stare at while coming up with a cunning plan for theft.

Another purpose of tinting is the appearance of the car. With darkened windows it looks expensive and respectable.

Why choose removable tint?

A removable tint option appeared on the car market and it immediately gained popularity. If you glue and remove the film correctly, it will last a long time. In addition, the cost of gluing work and the price of the material itself are affordable for a simple car owner.

Among the advantages of such a device it is worth highlighting:

• one-way visibility. The driver can easily see sections of the road and everything around from his car, and at the same time he can feel comfortable that no one can see him;
• protection of the interior from fading and heating, which is especially important in the summer;
• The film can be used many times without losing quality;
• removable tinting does not fly off on its own, so it will last as long as needed;
• you can install and remove the film yourself without spending a lot of time;
• the material does not fade;
• affordable price for removable tinting;

Among the disadvantages, the view from the car may be distorted. But such problems only happen after poor-quality installation.

Types of removable tinting

Removable tinting of 2 types has become widespread, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages:

1. On a rigid PET base (on plastic).
2. Silicone on static.

1. To produce the first type, a tinting film is applied to the base.

Installing this removable tint is simple:

• lower the window halfway;
• remove the protective film (the side where the protective film was should be adjacent to the glass);
• insert the tint sheet between the glass and the velvet cloth, lowering it 0.5 centimeters below the glass level;
• To raise and lower tinted glass, you need to glue double-sided tape (transparent) between them along the upper contour.

Important:

• Do not install PET-based tinting in the rain;
• When washing the car it should be removed;
• In extreme heat, it is also better to remove blackout curtains.

2. Removable static silicone tint has the following advantages:

• no mirroring;
• tolerates different temperatures and humidity;
• does not rub or scratch;
• adheres well even to the windshield without tape or glue;
• does not require shaping (you can roll and fold it in different ways);
• can be used many times;
• you can cut and install it yourself;
• the price is affordable.

Cons: If installed incorrectly, it may distort the image.

Removable silicone tinting on static – gets positive reviews. If desired, it is easy to install it yourself.

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Installation and removal of silicone tinting

To install it yourself, you will need a sprayer with soapy water and a water outlet (a plastic card will do).

The process is simple:

• apply soap solution to glass and tinting;
• Place the silicone film on the glass and push the bottom edge under the seal;
• align the material along the edges and expel the water from under the film (start from the center);
• After drying (5 minutes), you can lower and raise the windows.

It is recommended: in cold weather (from 0 to -40 degrees) to install static silicone tinting in heated rooms.

The question of how to glue silicone tint has been resolved, but how to dismantle it? It will be even easier to remove the film. To do this, you need to lower the glass so that you have access to the edge of the tint, and use a coin or a fingernail to carefully hook it and smoothly remove it. After this process, there will be no traces left on the window.

Read more about positive and negative qualities

Most often, car owners choose removable coatings such as gel and silicone. They are the most convenient to apply and add style to the car. The silicone-based material is almost no different from the usual non-removable variety.

Its main advantages include:

1. Frost resistance.
2. No deformation during operation.
3. Resistance to mechanical stress.
4. Heat resistance.

Silicone car tinting will last a long time, and it can be removed and applied repeatedly. The car interior itself will be reliably protected from sunlight, and the driver will be protected from the glare of the sun and the light of other cars, which increases driving safety. This tint also creates the effect of one-way visibility.

When studying reviews, you need to pay attention to the time of their publication, since the newer the material, the better its quality. Quick dismantling allows you to remove the covering from the car before entering the country if cars with tinted windows are prohibited from crossing the border

Immediately after passing customs check, the removable tinting can be returned back

Quick dismantling allows you to remove the covering from the car before entering the country if cars with tinted windows are prohibited from crossing the border. Immediately after passing customs inspection, the removable tint can be returned.

You need to choose it carefully, since cheap varieties are of poor quality. This manifests itself in image distortion and installation complexity. They can also tear and become deformed during application and use. An incorrectly installed film interferes with normal visibility of the road and can cause an accident.

In most cases, the silicone coating must be applied to glass moistened with soapy water. This is necessary to easily align the film on the surface of the car window. During installation, you can carefully move the material as needed. It must be aligned along the top edge of the glass, at a distance of several millimeters from it.

The tint film should be smoothed with a rubber spatula so as not to damage it. Water from under the removable cover must be removed. It must be aligned after it is positioned correctly and after being tucked under the seal.

Removable gel-based tint does not create any optical distortion. Its other advantages include:

1. Ease of installation.
2. Easy to store (no special conditions required).
3. Resistant to temperature changes.

It can be quickly removed if necessary. Before applying the film, the car windows must be completely washed. The removable tinting itself is located between the wetted surface of the glass and the seal. Two hours after its application, the glass can be used again.

When choosing this removable covering, you should pay attention to the release form. This film can be a whole roll or cut to fit the shape of the windows.

The roll will cost the car owner less.

The only disadvantage of gel coating can be the need to cut out the canvas according to the size of the windows, as well as its cost

When you need to find out how much removable tinting costs, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer's brand. The better the quality of the coating, the more expensive it will cost

However, the price will be fully justified during operation.

Other types of removable tints also have their own positive and negative characteristics.

The electronic variety deserves special mention, as it can be considered a removable tint of the new generation 2021. The principle of its operation is to change its structure by the action of electricity.

Its advantages include:

1. Possibility of adjusting the dimming level.
2. Protection from sunlight, even if the coating is completely transparent.
3. Preservation of heat inside the cabin.
4. Resistance to various influences - heat or cold is not a problem for this coating.
5. Economical (current is needed only to regulate the dimming level).

This kind of car protection is becoming increasingly widespread, since it does not require special storage conditions, and the intensity can be adjusted without dismantling it. The disadvantages include the following factors:

1. High cost - not every driver can afford it.
2. Difficulty of installation - without the appropriate skills, such tinting cannot be installed, so you will have to contact the service.

Each driver chooses which removable tinting is best. The choice very much depends on the cost and quality of the paintings, as well as on the form of their release. Today on the automotive market you can find all possible materials.

Description of removable reusable tint “M TONIC”

A car owner who purchased removable tinting 2021 and installed it on the car windows will appreciate its sun protection properties, glare protection, and level of transparency. Darkening the windows will protect the car from overheating, preserve the color of the upholstery from fading, and will protect the personal space of the driver and passengers from prying eyes.

Russian legislation prohibits gluing tint film on the windshield. Surely most car owners know that shading glass in the usual way is a complex procedure that requires installation skills. Removing a stationary darkening is also not easy - it takes time and skill.

• “M TONIC” is confidently gaining popularity, being an excellent means of maintaining normal temperature conditions in the car and creating comfortable conditions. And most importantly, it makes it possible to avoid conflicts with traffic police officers who strive to issue a fine for the slightest violation.
• “M TONIC” is a new generation 2021 removable static tint and most car owners want to buy it, unlike the usual removable silicone tint, which is now becoming a thing of the past.

Advantages of installing removable tinting on a car:

• Removable tinting on the windshield is an excellent protection for people in the cabin from sun glare and overheating;
• With a thickness of up to 1/10 mm (100 microns). – reliably protects the glass from damage while driving;
• Does not affect the operation of accessories attached to the glass;
• Stays on the glass due to the static effect;
• Does not reduce the quality of far and near visibility;
• Protects the interior from prying eyes;
• High-quality toner material can withstand repeated application and removal;
• Helps to find a compromise, taking into account changes in the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Look for the product from an official representative of the manufacturer. In 2020, the automotive goods market is replete with fakes whose quality does not correspond to their declared properties.

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Required tools and materials

In order for everything to go quietly, smoothly and efficiently, you will need several freely available materials and tools.

• First, you need a polyester sheet (PET) with a thickness of half a centimeter. A car glass template will be made from it for future tinting.
• Secondly, you will need the tint film itself, which will subsequently protect you and your car from light and the evil eye.
• Thirdly, you need a sharp knife to cut the polyester sheet and scissors to cut out the desired piece of static tint film.
• Fourth, prepare some empty bottle with a spray bottle, into which you can then pour a soap solution, a dry cloth for wiping, and maybe also a spatula with a soft base.

Having everything listed in your hands, you can safely begin work. Just choose a clean, dust-free room to work in so that it (dust) does not spoil the final result.

Winter tinting technology

First, let's figure out how to tint a car in general:

• The tint film is well moistened with a soap solution.
• Next, the glass is treated with the same solution and the film is first glued to the outside to adjust the size and shape.
• To shape the glass, the film is heated with a hair dryer.
• Next, the finished fitted film is glued from the inside.

In order for the film to lay evenly, without bulges or roughness, the glass must be perfectly clean. Even a grain of a couple of millimeters can cause air bubbles to form. After tinting, it is not recommended to open windows for two or three days.

Precautions when tinting a car in winter:

• You need to tint your car in a warm room with an air temperature of more than +10 degrees. Otherwise, when drying the film with a hairdryer, the glass may burst due to temperature changes.
• After tinting, it is advisable to leave the car in a warm box for 1-2 days, since if there are particles of moisture remaining under the film, then in the cold the water will freeze, increase in volume, and this will lead to bubbling of the film.

The advantages of tinting are obvious:

• tinting protects the interior from fading
• protects against glare from headlights at night
• prevents heat loss in winter
• protects glass from mechanical damage
• helps protect the driver and passengers from glass shards in the event of an accident.

Car tinting in winter is a process that can be carried out, but with precautions. Professional and high-quality tinting makes your car safer and more beautiful.

Types of tinting according to technology

Considering the technological process, tinting can be as follows:

1. Removable is most in demand due to its ease of implementation. There is no need for outside help or additional financial costs.
2. Electronic coating is one of the most expensive. This option is not for the middle class, since a square meter of tinted glass will cost one and a half thousand dollars. The essence is the ability to adjust the light transmittance of the coating depending on the wishes of the driver and the time of day. There are two options: connecting a special film to the electrical wiring or using smart glass, which completely replaces the factory glass.
3. Spray tinting can only be carried out to a truly high quality by employees of auto repair shops. Due to the need to lower the glass into a vacuum chamber, it is impossible to implement this procedure at home. Glare and cracks on such a coating appear quickly, the technology itself is labor-intensive, and the coating cannot be removed in the future - all this has become the reason for the unpopularity of this option.

Advantages and disadvantages

Silicone film has a number of advantages that distinguish it from other types of tinting:

• Resistant to UV rays. Over the years, the product does not fade and does not lose its original appearance;
• Resistance to temperature changes;
• Increasing the mechanical strength of the glass surface;
• Preservation of characteristics and shape in case of private withdrawal. If the product is dropped or dented, its shape does not change;
• Increased impact resistance of glass;
• Reducing the temperature inside the vehicle due to effective screening of the sun's rays;
• Protection of interior elements (coverings on seats, dashboard and others) from fading;
• Effective dimming without compromising visibility. After applying silicone tint, visibility for the driver remains at a high level;
• Elimination of dazzle from other cars moving towards or in the same direction;
• Clear fixation on the glass surface. Over time, the material does not come off;
• Quick application. The installation process takes 20-30 seconds, and dismantling is even faster.
• Affordable price.

Silicone tint provides a one-way visibility effect, which guarantees sun protection and increases privacy. This material can be used many times and not worry about losing its effectiveness.

In addition to the already mentioned advantages, it is worth highlighting the long service life, the ability to attach to any glass surface and ease of use.

The product is not afraid of high temperatures, and its application does not require the involvement of specialists - all work is carried out independently

A significant plus is the ability to quickly withdraw money, which is especially important when traveling abroad frequently

It is known that when traveling to another country you have to deal with the issue of tinting. If silicone film is installed on the glass, there are no difficulties with dismantling and subsequent application.

Despite a number of positive characteristics, silicone tinting has negative features.

As a rule, they concern goods from little-known manufacturers, focusing on the volume of products produced, rather than on their quality. As a result, the characteristics and parameters leave much to be desired.

Even if we exclude this aspect, the product in question has a number of disadvantages:

After installation on the glass, a slight distortion occurs, which almost does not affect the overall perception of the picture; If installed incorrectly, the static film does not adhere well to the glass and may peel off. As a result, the risk of an accident or other emergency situation on the road increases; The corners of the product are the worst to fix, as dust and dirt often get into them. An important role is played by the static effect, which contributes to the accumulation of dust; Before its use in cars, silicone film was used in non-residential premises (it was for these purposes that it was produced). For this reason, the product does not have a layer that would protect the surface from scratches and other violations of the integrity of the external part; Over time, the edges of the product move toward the center (shrink), leaving minor gaps along the edges of the glass. This happens because when the material is rolled into a roll at the factory onto a transparent liner (backing or protective layer), it stretches a little, and when it is released from the transparent liner before gluing, after 1-2 days the product begins to shrink

This drawback is not typical for silicone tints made on paper substrates; pay attention to this point when choosing products

To minimize disadvantages, it is recommended to use products from trusted brands and study reviews from other car owners. With a careful approach, it is possible to avoid many negative aspects during operation.

READ ON TOPIC: What is electronic window tinting.

Popular myths

When it comes to silicone tinting, there are many myths that do not correspond to reality. As a rule, their appearance is associated with fierce competition in this area, and the sources are often the competitors themselves.

Let's highlight the main stereotypes that often repel people from purchasing such products:

• Dust that appears on the inside of the static film during prolonged use will deteriorate the quality of fixation on the glass in the future. This statement is erroneous, because the product is allowed and even recommended to be washed in warm water. During this treatment, the surface is completely cleaned, which allows the use of silicone tinting in the future. It is worth noting that there is no adhesive base provided here, so the presence of dust does not affect the quality of fixation.
• The reliability of a product directly depends on its thickness. This statement is also wrong. On the contrary, material with a thickness of more than one millimeter is difficult to force under the seals. If, among other things, it is of low quality, the increased thickness will not play any role.
• In the cold season, water collects under the tinting, which impairs visibility and reduces aesthetics. This belief is also wrong, because silicone is not afraid of low temperatures, and its operation is possible in any conditions. In addition, the static film does not fog up and does not interfere with normal airflow.
• Frequent installation/disassembly causes wear and tear on the material. This is another stereotype that applies to PET plastic. On the latter, after 5-7 removals and installations, scratches are visible, and the damage is caused by small abrasive elements. Unlike PET plastic, silicone tinting is not subject to delamination.
• Installation requires special skills, and this task should only be entrusted to professionals. Such reviews are often found on the Internet. This is a lie, because installing the product yourself is not difficult even for beginners. The main requirements are compliance with the specified rules, accuracy and cleaning of the glass surface before application.

Electronic tinting: installation price

Moreover, professional installers often simply will not undertake work with untested material or will not give any guarantees for such tinting. As for working with high-quality material, the price of electronic tinting will depend on the following factors:

• type of tinting;
• initial cost of the material;
• volume and complexity of work.

It is important to understand that electrical tinting also requires a special approach for each specific car. For example, smart glass requires custom manufacturing

In general, tinting a car with such windows will cost at least $1,000. Electronic tint films are also at least twice as expensive as the highest quality regular tint films.

Is it worth betting?

Deciding on the relevance of using silicone tint is the driver’s decision. Its use is relevant in countries where there is a ban or severe restrictions on tinting. For example, in Moscow, traffic police officers often fine people for film on front windows. In such a situation, the problem is solved by removing it from the surface.

Some traffic police officers do not take any action at all when they realize that the tint is removable.

At the same time, we must not forget about the disadvantages of the product, which were mentioned in the article - poor visibility, cloudiness and creases at the corners.

Types of tinting, their advantages and disadvantages

Currently, there are several types of tinting that can be quickly removed. The main difference between each of them is the material from which it is made, as well as its quality characteristics.

Types of removable tinting, their pros and cons

№	View	Advantages	Minuses	Installation Features	Who is it suitable for?
1	Photochromic (electrochromic)	– no mirroring effect – instant change of transparency level	- high price	Need dimmer and control unit	owners of imported vehicles, women car enthusiasts
2	Double glass, one of which is tinted	– tinted glass lowers separately	– high price – difficult to install – not suitable for all cars – mirror effect	need to install a second window regulator	owners of domestic VAZ 2110, VAZ 2111, VAZ 2112, Priora
3	German plastic on a rigid base	– sticks well to glass – no mirror effect; – low cost	– reduced night visibility – susceptible to mechanical damage	additional seals required	domestic car holders
4	Reusable quick-release static tint film “M-TONIC”	– no mirror effect – does not reduce viewing range – not affected by temperature changes – easy to glue and remove – long service life – affordable cost – The manufacturer offers several varieties and they differ in light transmittance: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20 %	– if stored incorrectly, loss of transparency may occur	fastening due to static effect	for all types of vehicles
5	Based on crystal tinted film with moving crystals	– adjustable transparency – no mirror effect	- high price	Electronics specialist required	owners of expensive foreign car models

Based on the characteristics given for each of the five listed types, the most accessible to most are:

• Removable plastic tinting, for its production a thin layer of PET is used; • Static toner, which easily lays on the glass and perfectly follows all its curves.

Rigid, reusable, removable PET-based tinting is not always suitable for windshields that have a complex bend shape that varies for different car models. The crystalline one is too expensive, so it is best to install a static one on the car, which can be glued and removed many times.

Video – “Overview of various tint films”:

Types of films

There are several main types of removable tints, each of which has its own useful features:

• Photochromic tinting. Has good reviews. It differs in that when it is used, the glass becomes lighter or darker, depending on the strength of the applied voltage. This film completely lacks the mirror effect, but it is possible to adjust the transparency of the glass yourself. The only but significant disadvantage is the high price of the product.
• Double glazing. A very convenient and modern technology, when tinting is applied in the form of a second, darkened glass and lowered at will. The disadvantages are the high cost, as well as the complexity of installing this type of tinting.
• German static plastic. This tinting coating is made on the basis of monopolycarbonate and is maintained due to the same static. It has a fairly neutral price and is easy to install. Moreover, recently some craftsmen have been practicing making this type of tinting on their own.
• Silicone tint. A very common version of removable film. This product is also low cost, easy to install using the technology described above, and can be used repeatedly until it wears out. Suitable for all types of cars and practically insensitive to temperature changes and other weather inconveniences.

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If you are thinking about choosing a static removable tint, then it is best to give preference to the latter option or German static plastic - these inexpensive tint coatings perform their main functions quite well.

What is this?

Removable tint is a special material that is held in place by static. Therefore, there is no need to use any fasteners or glue here.

An important feature is the fact that this is a reusable tint. It can be easily and quickly removed, after which it can be reinstalled

This is due to the fact that traffic police officers can make claims regarding tinting, as in the case of using curtains. In order not to argue and not run into fines, you remove the silicone insert with one movement of your hand and move on.

Installation takes a minimum of time, but allows you to significantly save on paying fines for real permanent tinting. The product is held on the glass surface due to the static effect. The silicone just sticks to the glass. The unique technology ensures reusable use without loss of quality and light transmission. In terms of its external characteristics, the silicone insert is not much different from conventional tinting.

But it is also considered illegal. Therefore, if law enforcement officers demand that you remove the tint, be sure to do it immediately. Otherwise, a violation report will be issued against you.

Considering the objective advantages of the solution, they began to be actively used in Moscow, Minsk, St. Petersburg, cities like Yekaterinburg and in almost every locality in the CIS countries.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you go to an online store or Aliexpress and buy a film for your Ford Focus 3, or any other car, you need to carefully study the strengths and weaknesses of the material. I’ll say right away that the price of the products is even less than in the case of curtains. Therefore, the relevance of the decision is easy to explain.

The increased demand in 2021 has become even greater in the current year 2018. This is due to the following advantages of static tinting:

• the material is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation and does not fade due to sunlight;
• can be used during sudden temperature changes;
• resistant to some damage (falling, crushing);
• protects the driver from the sun and ultraviolet radiation;
• reduces the temperature inside the car;
• prevents the upholstery and plastic in the interior from fading;
• darkens, but does not impair the driver’s visibility;
• protects against glare from oncoming cars;
• firmly held on the surface;
• quickly installed and dismantled;
• it's cheap.

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But let's not forget about the shortcomings. Here I will say right away that the manifestation of disadvantages is largely due to the choice of obviously low-quality products.

Frankly, it’s not worth saving on film. Buy only static silicone inserts from trusted manufacturers. Otherwise, you may encounter disadvantages. Namely:

• the film can distort the picture, although this does not greatly affect the perception;
• improper installation can cause accidents and traffic accidents;
• peeled films are filled with dirt and dust;
• The film is not protected from scratches and similar damage.

As you can see, the shortcomings are conditional, and are largely associated with the use of low-quality products. Just like with hood deflectors or car spoilers, you need to choose good products and install them correctly.

Turbidity and reduction in size

Some motorists, as they use static films, notice that they have become smaller or that cloudiness has appeared. The phenomenon is common, but again associated with low-quality silicone products.

Haze is formed in 2 situations:

• due to prolonged use, the film has worn out;
• the material was bad from the start.

The second situation is more common in Russia, since in addition to popular and high-quality manufacturers, a large number of frankly low-quality products are offered on the market.

Also, cloudiness may appear on the first day after installation. Don't worry, if you did everything correctly, it will go away in 1-2 days.

In the case of reducing the film size, you need to know some nuances:

• You bought low-quality silicone static tint. Moreover, the price does not always show this. Some sell terrible film at a high cost. Either it is a fake, masquerading as a well-known brand;
• Some films shrink due to too dry weather, or shrink when exposed to cold. You can pull them out, although this does not always give results;
• Before stretching, try warming up the film with a hairdryer. Do not overheat, otherwise the silicone will simply deteriorate.

Such situations can be avoided if you use good films and take a responsible approach to installation. This is evidenced by reviews from owners.

Has the fine for tinting been canceled in Russia?

In the summer of 2021, a rumor began to spread among motorists that a law had been passed eliminating liability for excessive vehicle wrapping. As a result, additional sanctions are a thing of the past. Let's figure out if this is really so.

Popular wisdom says that there is no smoke without fire. The same thing happened with tinting. In fact, it is allowed subject to certain rules. They will be discussed below.

As for the abolition of the fine, a corresponding bill was submitted to the State Duma several months ago by a group of parliamentarians from the LDPR faction. It is intended to exclude part 3.1 from Art. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offences. The logic of legislators is clear.

The main arguments in favor of tinting:

• protection from exposure to excess sunlight;
• reducing the load on the on-board air conditioner;
• reducing the risk of blinding from oncoming cars in the dark.

So far, no one can say with certainty when the bill will be adopted, whether the article will be removed for tinting, or whether this will happen at all. Therefore, vehicle owners have no choice but to wait patiently.

Where to buy removable tint and how much does it cost?

The price for removable tinting on two front windows ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the quality of the material, as well as the honesty and appetite of the seller.

When choosing a film, you should remember a simple everyday rule: it is better to spend a little more money, but buy a quality product. Regarding removable silicone tint, these are primarily manufacturers such as Llumar, Sun Tec, Silicon Tint, ASWF, which have long been well known on the Russian market.

Since the process does not require high qualifications, the cost of installing removable tinting ranges from 700 to 1,500 rubles per set.

Features of installing removable silicone film

Technologically, the installation of silicone film is simple: just apply a soapy water solution to the previously washed glass, apply the film, carefully tucking the lower part under the seal, and then carefully smooth it with a rubber spatula, removing loose fit and bubbles. At first there may be slight clouding, which quickly disappears after drying.

So the installation can be done independently, or you can (given the relatively low cost) do it for the first time at an installation center, while receiving a practical installation guide.

Manufacturers

On the modern market, film for glass tinting is presented from several manufacturing companies that occupy leading positions in this segment. These include:

1. Johnson.
2. Llumar.
3. Silicon Tint.
4. Sun Tech.

The main thing that a car owner should remember when choosing a tint film manufacturer is that a cheap option will always be of dubious quality. It’s better to purchase a time-tested tint once, which will not cause any complaints throughout its service life and will not affect the levels of travel safety and comfort in the cabin.

Removable tinting on a rigid base: where to buy, do-it-yourself installation

Hi all! Happy holidays! And we continue to work. Today we’ll talk about such a useful and effective solution as removable tinting on a rigid base. With the help of such a device, you can, without much effort and labor-intensive processes, replace the usual tinting, with which drivers every now and then have problems when they are stopped by traffic police officers.

Removable hard tinting is a new generation development that provides protection from sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, and prying eyes, without being prohibited.

Law enforcement may make claims against you and try to prove something. But if you know some nuances, you won’t have to worry about any fines. In addition, such elements are quick-detachable. If necessary, you can remove the tint in a matter of seconds and then install it back.

Hard removable tinting is the name given to innovative special developments that have replaced prohibited tinting. This is a structure that is cut from a special material in accordance with the size of the window opening. You can buy them ready-made for a specific car model, or cut them yourself.

The template is installed in the car window opening. And between it and the glass of your car itself there remains a small gap. Due to this, installation and dismantling take a minimum of time.

Hard car tinting is manufactured based on:

• composite materials;
• polyethylene;
• frame meshes;
• silicone;
• monopolycarbonate;
• fabrics, etc.

Since in cities such as Samara, Moscow, St. Petersburg or Krasnodar, for example, sun and fairly high temperatures are not uncommon, tinting is a necessity for many drivers. Otherwise, we get a traditional driver’s tan up to the middle of our arms, unpleasant burns, discomfort due to extreme heat, etc.

Conventionally, the category of hard tinting includes car curtains, which I wrote about here, as well as special static silicone inserts, a link to which will be here.

And how can we not remember here about antistatic agents for cars. I will definitely leave the link here too. And we move on.

Advantages and disadvantages

Do not confuse flexible tint with hard tint. The first is installed on the glass due to the static effect. And the rigid elements are attached to transparent double-sided tape. This allows you to significantly extend the service life.

Much depends on how high-quality products you buy. The General brand is considered the market leader in the segment of hard removable tinting. I once dealt with him personally, so I can confirm the fact of high-quality production

It is also worth paying attention to Mosteo. Read the reviews and draw your own conclusions

Good products of this type should have the following properties:

• heat-resistant base with excellent heat-resistant characteristics;
• protection against deformation and swelling during operation under the influence of sunlight;
• good visibility for the driver from inside the car;
• guarantee of quality and long service life;
• a wide range of shades to match a specific car and the requirements of the car owner;
• selection by dimming level.

Now regarding the strengths and weaknesses. If you decide to buy good quality removable tinting, you will not find any obvious shortcomings here.

The only thing I can say is that for people with low vision, installing removable tinting may result in a slight loss in terms of transparency. I don’t even want to talk about cheap solutions, since the list of shortcomings there will be impressive. Just don't buy them.

And if you take a high-quality product for a Hover, Lada or even some Mercedes, then expect the following benefits from removable tinting with a rigid base:

• basic installation process;
• no problems with visibility;
• good eye protection;
• reducing the temperature in the cabin;
• aesthetic and attractive appearance;
• additional protection of glass in case of an accident (tinting will retain glass fragments);
• sound insulation effect;
• protection of interior trim materials from fading;
• energy efficiency (no need to run air conditioning and climate control at full speed);
• chameleon property (shade changes depending on external conditions);
• no glare;
• Light is not reflected from oncoming traffic.

But again I repeat. You will get all this only if you decide to buy a quality product. Removable tinting is not particularly expensive, so you won’t have to spend a lot of money on it in 2021. I spent several hundred rubles in 2021. I still use it now.

Installation and operating instructions or how to properly apply auto-tinting on static

One of the most attractive qualities of “M TONIC” is the ease of self-installation on glass of any configuration, in contrast to silicone film. Before you start installing it yourself, you should read the brief instructions to learn how to glue removable tint with your own hands.

Installation of removable tinting from any material begins with preparing the surface on which you plan to stick the protection. It is necessary to thoroughly clean the windows from grease, dirt, and dust. It is preferable to take special car shampoos or a regular windshield cleaner. Avoid stains on the glass - it should be perfectly clean and transparent. Then you can proceed to the main steps:

• Take a spray bottle or use any spray bottle to spray the surface to be treated with water;
• Remove moisture with a clean (lint-free) cloth, or wipe with newspaper or microfiber;
• Carefully place the prepared sheet on the glass, making sure that its edges coincide with the edges of the glass - try to avoid distortions. Also make sure that its top edge is a few millimeters below the top edge of the glass;
• Tuck the edges under the seals;
• Make sure that there are no water or air bubbles left between the film and the glass - remove them with smoothing movements of the included spatula along the film from the center to the edges;
• At the end of the work, let the glass dry thoroughly - only then can they be used as usual.

If you want reusable tinting to adhere perfectly to your car glass, be sure to remove any grease from its surface. The quality of the sticker depends on how clean the glass is washed, degreased and dried.

If you follow these simple rules, reusable removable static tint will serve for your comfort and safety for quite a long time. It is even easier to remove - just release the edges from under the window seal, then grab it from both sides and gently pull it towards you.

You can learn more about how to apply removable tint and remove it from the glass by using the video from YouTube. In the video, the author shows the basic techniques that allow you to efficiently remove and re-stick removable tint with your own hands:

Video instructions for gluing static film on glass:

How to fix cloudiness

The appearance of turbidity on the surface of the silicone film becomes a cause for concern.

This only happens in 2 cases:

1. The car owner purchased a low-quality product.
2. The material has become unusable due to prolonged use.

Most often in Russia they face the first problem. This is explained by the fact that roll materials from rating companies are characterized by a long service life, and the domestic consumer market is oversaturated with “left-wing” proposals for static silicone tinting.

The only situation in which a good silicone film can be cloudy is the first day after application, when it has not yet dried, but this effect goes away on the second or third day.

Tinted car windows - tolerances and restrictions

Everything can be learned by comparison, for example, try driving in dark glasses not only during the day, but also at night. If during daylight hours this turns out to be comfortable for you, especially when glare is reflected from other cars, then in the dark you will see the road extremely poorly, even with bright lights on the side of the road and with the headlights on. The same is true with car tinting, and while glasses can be removed, it is impossible to remove the darkening film from the windshield unless it is removable.

Excessive tinting poses a danger not only to you, but also to those around you. That is why certain standards have been created that must be adhered to if you do not want to receive fines and want to undergo a technical inspection. The light transmittance of the windshield must be at least 75%, which means that tinting must be done with 25% dimming

. The windows of the front doors must transmit 70% of the light, but the rear windows, including those on the second pair of doors, must not be darkened by more than 95%.

Operating procedure

1. To begin, remove the pattern from the glass, onto which you will then apply the film. To do this, you need to disassemble the doors, remove the glass, wash it thoroughly and dry it, and then apply a sheet of polyester and outline the contours of the glass. After this, remove the glass and carefully cut out the template with a sharp knife.
2. The second stage will be cutting out the film according to the template, which will then become the tint on the car window. Just in case, cut out 2-3 identical pieces of such film, so that if the first attempt fails, you won’t have to repeat all these cuts again.
3. Prepare an ordinary soap solution from shower gel, shampoo or regular soap, and then fill the prepared spray bottle with this solution.
4. After slightly shaking the solution in the bottle, you can apply soap foam directly to the glass and film, having previously removed the protective layer from it.
5. Having evenly applied the solution to the glass and the film, you need to carefully and evenly apply this same film to the glass, and then carefully remove the remaining soapy water from the space between the film and the glass using a dry cloth and/or a spatula with a soft base.
6. Give the glass (glasses, if you did everything at once) time to completely dry and settle so that the film eventually adheres securely.
7. After the period of drying and settling, do not forget to reassemble the doors, installing the tinted glass in their rightful place, otherwise you will go with the wind.

Results, implications and recommendations

Having completed such work, you get what you dreamed of. Now you are almost invisible from the outside, the sun no longer burns your skin and blinds your eyes, but do not forget that paragraph 7.3 of the Administrative Offenses Code (Code of Administrative Offenses) is very slippery and the valiant traffic police officers can always find fault. Based on the same law, everything that reduces the driver’s visibility and is in the form of additional (non-factory) coatings must be eliminated, and the driver himself is fined as much as 100 rubles if he can eliminate the violation on the spot. But now this can really be done in literally a minute, tearing off all the removable tint with your own hands.

Grounds and amount of fines for glass tinting

Sanctions for sticking films are prescribed in Part 3.1 of Art. already mentioned in the previous paragraph. 12.5 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation . They apply not only to tinting as such, but also to the installation of colored glass on the car. There is only one criterion - violation of light transmission parameters.

At the moment, all standards are prescribed in the technical regulations of the Customs Union “On the safety of wheeled vehicles.” It was approved by decision No. 877 of December 9, 2011. According to this document, the requirements for tinting are specified in relation to the location of the glass (film) on the car.

Regardless of the degree of violation committed, the fine for tinting is 500 rubles . Along with drawing up a protocol, the traffic police inspector may ask you to remove the film. However, we will discuss the legality of such a requirement below.

The legislation does not provide for additional administrative punishment for the offense in question, committed repeatedly. They will not send the car to a impound lot either. However, the driver may lose time and nerves when communicating with the traffic police inspector.

Advantages and disadvantages of various types of removable tinting

Of the types of removable tinting listed above (curtains do not count), double glazing and electronic tinting are not widely used. Constructive changes in the first case, firstly, are not always possible, and secondly, if they are possible, they are not cheap at all.

Electronic dimming (more precisely, loss of transparency) of glass is not fully tinted: the windows become not darkened, but frosted. In addition, the cost of equipment for “electronic tinting” is an order of magnitude higher than conventional tinting.

Plastic screens (approximately 15% of the removable tinting market) and “static” silicone film (about 80-85% of the market) have become much more widespread.

The main advantages of removable tinting on a rigid base are its low cost and the fact that the film is glued to the plastic once, and the resulting screen is used many times. However, this type of darkening has many disadvantages:

• the surface of car windows has a complex geometric shape and ensuring a tight fit of the screen is not always an easy task;
• the thickness of the plastic base (about 1 mm) is many times greater than the thickness of any tint film;
• if quick removal is necessary, the screen retains its rather large dimensions - it cannot be folded or crushed.

Due to these shortcomings, the perception of the environment is distorted, the tinted surface is often subjected to mechanical stress (scratched and rubbed), and removing and repositioning the screen without leaving the cabin is inconvenient due to its dimensions.

The most widely used silicone-based film has many more advantages than plastic screens:

• the thickness of the silicone film is comparable (although slightly larger) with the thickness of a conventional tint film, which means it ensures a tight fit to the car glass;
• the dismantling process takes very little time (literally seconds), and subsequent installation does not require high qualifications and special tools or equipment;
• when dismantling, you don’t have to worry about crushing or crumpling the film partially or even completely: the material can withstand periodic deformations without consequences;
• the physical and mechanical characteristics of the film ensure high “reusability” of use: high-quality samples can withstand up to several thousand removal and installation cycles;
• the material is resistant to repeated and sudden temperature changes and does not lose its optical characteristics.

The disadvantages of silicone film include:

• some distortion of the picture of the environment (however, experts do not note any serious impact of this effect on traffic safety);
• the sensitivity of the material to mechanical damage (scratches), which is understandable: the film was originally developed for stationary windows of building structures.

In terms of the combination of advantages and disadvantages, silicone film is the clear leader among removable tinting products.

Car window tinting

Window tinting, in other words, is a special coating on the glass to minimize the entry of light and the minimum attention of prying eyes into the car interior. Today, the variety of tinting materials can be confusing when choosing. Having tinted your car, do not forget about the law and standards for side windows. According to the standard, the light transmittance of the front windows should not exceed 70%, and the rear windows should not exceed 5%. Starting from January 1, 2021, the fine for violating these norms will be 5,000 rubles, although previously drivers got by with a fine of 500 rubles.

As a rule, a car is also tinted to reduce fuel costs and reduce fading of the car interior. The reduction in fuel consumption is very simple to explain: the less the interior heats up, the less often the driver opens the windows for ventilation, and even less the air conditioning will work. It is because of the latter reason that, from the beginning of 2017, the state of California introduced mandatory glass tinting using metal particles. This will not only reduce fuel consumption, but also reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, for which this State is so famous throughout the world.

The variety in tint between the front and rear windows usually doesn’t look very nice, and you always want more for the front windows. The last and most effective step in solving this problem is considered to be reusable removable tinting - M Tonic. This film is based on a silicone structure, thanks to which you can remove the removable tint in a couple of minutes and no marks will remain on the glass.

The removal and installation procedure can be carried out hundreds of times; such removable tinting is considered 100% legal, since it is not an integral part of the car glass, but is considered as a separate part (temporary overlay). Due to its structure, such removable tinting M Tonic is not afraid of heat or frost, which cheap films for darkening glass cannot tolerate.

Installing such removable tinting does not require any special skills or equipment. There is also no fear that during installation you will ruin the removable tint and you will need to buy a new one; if it didn’t work out, we removed it, wiped it dry and tried to install it on the glass again.