What is electrotinting? 3 types of electronic tinting

Electronic tinting is a technology that allows glass to change the level of light transmission up or down by applying voltage to it. The stronger the current applied to the glass, the more transparent it becomes. There are three options for electronic tinting: double glass, SPD and PDLC technologies. Let's look at how they differ below.

Is electronic tint allowed?

Russian legislation does not directly prohibit a certain type of tinting. All darkening agents applied to car glass are subject to the same requirements:

• At least 75% of the light transmittance is for the windshield;
• At least 70% of the light transmission capacity is for the side and rear windows.

If electronic tinting in the activated state meets these parameters, then traffic police inspectors will have no reason to ban it. Otherwise, the driver will receive a fine of 500 rubles (the price is valid for 2021). If you pay for the protocol within the first 60 days after it is issued, the amount of the fine is reduced by half.

Important !
In 2021, inspectors will no longer force drivers to remove window tint, as happened previously. Instead, the violator will be fined until his car meets the established standards.

Tinting by law

Currently, the State Traffic Inspectorate of Ukraine is actively lobbying for new rules for tinting cars, which actually prohibit this tinting. This is done in order to establish full-fledged operation of systems for automatic photo and video recording of violations. Probably, sooner or later, car enthusiasts will still be forced to detonate, but until this formally happens, we will consider the requirements for tinting that are in force at the time of writing.

Traffic rules, namely clause 31.4.7. c) it is established that the operation of vehicles is prohibited if additional objects or coatings are installed on the glass, which limit visibility from the driver’s seat and impair its transparency. At the same time, there is a further note that states that it is allowed to use tinted glass (except for mirror glass), the light transmission of which meets the requirements of GOST 5727-88. According to clause 2.2.4. of this GOST, the light transmission of glass providing visibility to the driver must be at least: 75% - for windshields; 70% – for front side windows. The light transmission of other glasses is not standardized.\

Checking the degree of light transmission

The degree of light transmission is determined according to GOST 27902. Tests are carried out on three samples. The light transmittance of flat laminated glass is checked on products or samples, and of bent laminated glass - on samples cut from the flat part of the product. The light transmittance of curved tempered glass is checked on samples from the original glass, and flat glass - on samples of the original glass having the same thickness as the tempered glass or products. The test samples can be of any size. The measurement is carried out at three points on each sample. The arithmetic mean of the measurement results of three samples is taken as the light transmission value.

In the absence of special instructions, tests should be carried out under the following conditions: temperature - 15-25 C; atmospheric pressure - from 80 to 106 kPa; relative air humidity - 40-80%.

Checking the light transmittance of glass can only be carried out at stationary posts and with the participation of Gostekhnadzor inspectors. For this purpose, a special device is used - the Blik taumeter, which must be sealed.

It is also important to know that “Blik” displays on the display not the percentage of tint, but the amount of light flux passing through the glass. The time of day does not affect the operation of the device in any way, but in the rain and at air temperatures below -10 degrees, measurements are unacceptable, since there may be large errors in the “Blik” readings

As we can see, the verification procedure is quite complex and easily contested, due to the fact that traffic police officers are not always able to comply with all conditions, especially meteorological ones. And even more so, they cannot make claims to the driver by trying to determine the degree of window tinting “by eye.” Consequently, today you can de facto tint a car in any way you like.

But, we repeat, the traffic police are now seriously working on regulatory documents in order to oblige Ukrainian drivers to almost completely tint the front side and windshields by the spring of 2014 at the latest. Time will tell what will come of this, and InfoCar.ua, if the innovations are officially adopted, will definitely tell you about all their nuances.

Electronic tinting SPD technology

Electronic tinting using SPD technology is the application of a special film consisting of rod-shaped particles to the glass. Each such particle consists of a liquid that is not capable of conducting current. In the deactivated state, all particles move chaotically under the film, forming a dense protective layer that prevents light from entering the car interior.

Under the influence of voltage, the particles begin to align, forming a distance between themselves. The stronger the current, the further the particles move away from each other. As a result of this reaction, glass can change its light transmittance from 10-15% to 80-90%, and vice versa. Visually, this tinting is no different from ordinary film.

Important ! Film and glass with SPD technology are not produced in Russia. And you can only buy this tint in America. Therefore, SPD electronic tinting is not in great demand.

Principle of operation

The algorithm for installing electronic tinting using SPD technology directly depends on what will be chosen as the base: film or glass. The first option is easier to use, but of lower quality. To install it, just take three simple steps:

1. Clean the car glass from any film, dirt, dust or glue residues on it;
2. Treat the glass surface with soapy water;
3. Slowly apply the film, gradually leveling it with a rubber spatula.

This option for car tinting is cheaper than installing special Vario Plus glasses. But it also lasts much less time.

If the choice fell on installing tinted glass, then the installation algorithm will be a little more complicated:

1. The door card is disassembled and the old glass is removed;
2. The serial code of the factory window is calculated;
3. The new glass is installed on the car, after which the door card is mounted.

Important ! The factory glass VIN is needed to order the correct part. Without it, it is impossible to buy tinted glass that fits the size.

Included with SPD tinting must be a touch controller, which provides precise adjustment of the light transmission of the glass. It must be connected separately to the car's on-board computer. The average cost of the entire mechanism with installation ranges from 395 to 450 thousand rubles, for two glasses (the price is current for 2021).

Maintenance of tinted glass with SPD technology

To ensure long service life for SPD film or glass, it is enough to follow three simple rules:

1. Wash car windows exclusively with a soft sponge, without a fiber base (water temperature has no effect on tinting, just like detergents. There are also no requirements for them);
2. Do not allow water and moisture to remain on the glass for a long time (after washing the window, it is recommended to wipe it dry using cotton napkins or regular toilet paper);
3. Monitor the insulation of the contacts that provide communication between the SPD tint and the controller (the wires should be located on the most flat surface possible. Avoid bending the contacts. Insulate the joints tightly with special tape).

With proper care, SPD glass will last at least 10 years. For film, this period is almost halved.

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of car tinting with nanoparticles is almost identical, the difference lies only in the specifics of their internal structure.

Thus, for production using the “SPD” technology, a special film is used, and for the Korean “PDLC” method, smart crystals are used.

SPD technology

Electrical tinting during production is calculated on a multilayer structure.

The idea is this: between 2 sealed glasses there is a substance that adds various characteristics:

1. Increased strength.
2. Ability to absorb sunlight.
3. Adjustment of light transmittance.

The amount of passing light particles is regulated by the action of the electric field.

As mentioned earlier, in the absence of the necessary voltage, the glass loses its transparency:

1. After submission, it becomes possible to adjust the desired percentage, for example, set the legal 70 percent before the car is inspected by a traffic police officer.
2. Applying an alternating voltage reorients the microparticles in the direction of the charge.
3. In other words, between 2 glasses there is a polymer active film that regulates darkness. The first glass in this case plays the role of a protector from infrared and ultraviolet rays, the second is used as a reinforcing base.
4. The amount of applied voltage in this nanotoning is determined using a conventional rheostat.

5. The control unit is most often integrated with the vehicle’s on-board computer; in rare cases, a separate panel is installed on the dashboard.

It is quite simple to distinguish windshield tinting using this nanotechnology: at the moment of complete darkness, it is distinguished by a blue color. The film located inside is capable of transmitting only blue spectrum radiation, which is what the human eye perceives.

Even with a small voltage, the window receives a higher percentage of “transmittance” without retaining any color, so a shade of black appears.

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This method was developed for film, but it cannot be sold due to the special sensitivity of the material. Therefore, you can only purchase ready-made glass for a specific car model.

Development of "PDLC"

As noted earlier, Korean development is somewhat simpler and cheaper than American development.

Principle of operation:

• between the two layers of film there are crystals that, without tension, line up into a structure that provides zero transparency;
• when current is applied, they change location, creating an appearance that varies depending on the magnitude of the current.

The disadvantage of the electrochemical method is the increased energy consumption; for the system to operate, a voltage of at least 110 V is required, and this leads to accelerated wear of the battery, generator and machine wiring elements due to excessive loads.

Monochrome tinting PDLC technology

Monochrome tinting using PDLC technology involves installing a special smart glass consisting of liquid crystals and polymer material on a car. In the deactivated state, the crystals move freely between the two protective films without reacting with the polymers. Due to this, a dense layer is formed on the glass, ensuring maximum reflection of the sun's rays.

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Under the influence of electricity, a force field is formed between the two protective films, which sets the crystals and polymers in motion. As a result of this reaction, the crystals are connected to each other, forming inclusions. Thus, the density of the tinting layer decreases, and the light transmittance of the glass, on the contrary, increases.

Additional Information ! PDLC tinting technology belongs to the Korean company DM DISPLAY. Therefore, its cost is significantly lower than its American counterpart. This creates widespread demand for PDLC technology in the CIS countries.

Principle of operation

Installing PDLC tinting on a car can be done in two ways: replacing the glass or gluing a film. In the first case, to install the installation you need:

1. Disassemble the door card and remove the old car window;
2. Find the serial number of the factory glass and use it when ordering PDLC tint;
3. Install new glass on the car and assemble the door card.

PDLC film is much easier to install. To install it, you only need to complete three simple steps:

1. Prepare the surface (remove the old film from the glass, and then clean it of dust, dirt and remaining glue);
2. Apply the soap solution to the window, distributing it evenly over the entire area;
3. Apply the new film, gradually smoothing it with a rubber spatula.

PDLC glass is included with the factory touch controller. It is enough to connect it to the car’s on-board computer by connecting two wires.

When installing PDLC film, the controller is connected to the glass manually. To do this, two copper contacts are glued to the film using silver paste and soldered to a power supply with variable voltage supply (110 V will be quite enough). And only after this structure has been assembled can the tint be connected to the car’s on-board computer via a controller.

Important ! The cost of installing PDLC film reaches 55,000 rubles for two windows. If we are talking about installing monochrome glass, then you will have to pay an order of magnitude more for their installation - up to 80,000 rubles. (prices are current for 2021).

Monochrome film Smart Glass

Monochrome Smart Glass film is an adhesive-based film. It is located between two glasses, forming a so-called triplex. Smart Glass consists of two layers, the space between which is filled with liquid crystals and polymers. In a calm state, the liquid components of the film do not move, creating a single protective layer. And they are powered by current that flows through copper wires.

Maintenance of tinted glass with PDLC technology

PDLC film and glass can easily withstand high and low temperatures, so they can be washed with both hot and cold water. It is not prohibited to add detergents of different origins. They also have no effect on glass and film. The main thing is to use a soft sponge, without a fiber coating.

After washing the window, it is advisable to wipe it dry using cotton napkins or toilet paper. The same procedure should be carried out when condensation appears.

Particular attention is paid to the system contacts. They must have good insulation and a minimum number of folds. This will allow the tint to last about 7-8 years.

DIY installation

Having figured out how electronic nanotoning works, it is clear that making it yourself becomes impossible. The only option affects the installation of all glass purchased from a certified seller.

At the same time, if it is not possible to repeat the American technology, it is quite possible to apply a purchased electrochromic film.

To do this you will need to do the following:

1. Take measurements of the glass being processed and prepare a pattern based on them.
2. Remove the protective layer from the material.
3. Secure the film from the inside.
4. Connect the rheostat (regulator) and invector.
5. Insulate the exposed wiring contacts and hide them under the casing.

Self-installation is not difficult; the only difference from conventional tinting is the presence of a rheostat and an invector, which must be connected to the car’s on-board network.

Another option to apply smart tinting to your car windows is to use Micropor film.

However, the principle of its operation is radically different from the previously described methods:

• material created using light-chromic crystals works on the principle “the more light there is on the street, the more it needs to be darkened”;
• Based on this, at night the glass takes on a completely transparent appearance.

This material is made in Russia and can be applied manually, and although it is not an electronic type, many call this method “tinting with nano holes.”

Double glass tinting – “electric tinting”

Double glass technology is the easiest way to create the effect of electro-tinting. Its operating principle is to install two windows in one door frame: one transparent and the other tinted. For each window, separate guides are mounted under the door card, and one guide on the door frame.

The outer glass should be transparent, and the inner glass should be tinted. To change windows, you need to install two separate electric motors that will alternately move the glass up and down. And these motors can be controlled using separate controllers that are installed in the door handrail.

Important ! Double glass tinting is considered the cheapest. Therefore, it is most suitable for cars in the budget segment: Lada Kalina, Lada Granta, Lada Priora, etc.

Principle of operation

Before using double tinting, you need to properly connect the two glasses to the controller. It is advisable that the left button of the controller is responsible for the outer window, and the right button for the inner one. This will make it easier to understand the mechanism.

The glass is connected to the controller through the most common electronic motor, which is factory installed on most AvtoVAZ models. Only, unlike the factory version, double tinting will have two motors, each of which is responsible for its own glass.

When you raise the first (external) window, without tinting, excellent light transmittance is formed in the car interior - up to 90-100%. But when raising the second (internal) tinted window, the light transmittance will decrease. Unlike PDLC and SPD technologies, dual tint cannot be manually adjusted. And the level of light transmission of glass will directly depend on what kind of film is glued to the window (from 10 to 75%).

Important ! Two tinted windows, complete with two electric motors and installation, will cost the car owner 50,000 rubles. Without the participation of a specialist, the cost of the procedure will decrease to 40 thousand rubles. (prices are current for 2021).

Maintenance of tinted double glass windows

Triplex glass can be washed with warm or cold water, using chemical cleaners. Double tinting is not afraid of hard sponges, including those with a fiber coating. The only thing you need to pay attention to when washing double glazing is the accumulation of water between the windows and on the guides.

After washing, double glass should be wiped dry one by one, using cotton napkins or toilet paper, and left to air. To do this, one of the windows must be lowered to the lower position. Otherwise, moisture will cause rust on the metal parts of the structure.

Types of automatic tinting

Auto window tinting is divided into 2 types:

• This is when both windows are up. Tinting in this way has its advantages: it provides high sound insulation of the interior. And this tint is convenient to use. To tint the windows, you need to press the power window activation button.

If you choose the first type of electric tinting, then you need to make it so that when you press the window lift button, the dark windows go down first, and then the clear ones.

• This is when only one window is up. That is, the principle of operation of electric tinting in this way is that both windows are not in the raised position. Either dark glass or transparent glass is raised.

The inconvenience in this case is that you have to wait a little longer, for example, first lowered the transparent one, then raised the dark one. But the advantage of this type of electric tint drive is that small scratches will not appear from the glass rubbing against each other, as in the first case.

Electro-tinted On Glass

Electro-tinted On Glass is a high-quality cast triplex made using a 3D matrix. It is based on SPD technology, consisting of two elements: a special durable film and rod-shaped liquid particles.

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Being in an inactive state, these particles move chaotically across the entire plane, forming a dense reflective ball. Under the influence of current, the rod-shaped elements begin to gradually align, forming a mesh through which light enters the car interior. To the naked eye, this effect looks like normal darkening of glass.

Principle of operation

To control the electrical tinting, the design includes two copper wires. One side of the wires is connected to the film, and the other to the touch controller. To supply current to the glass, just press one button.

Important ! Electric tinting On Glass also has a remote control. This option increases the ease of use of the entire mechanism as a whole.

Unlike more expensive tints, On Glass does not have a function for adjusting light transmission. And complete darkening of the windows occurs 1.5 - 2 minutes after activating the controller. This is quite inconvenient. But the price of such a device is significantly lower than its American counterparts - up to 80,000 rubles for 2 windows (the price is valid for 2021).

Maintenance of tinted glass On Glass

To maintain the factory condition of On Glass, it is enough to follow the standard maintenance rules:

1. Wash windows using a soft sponge, without a fiber surface (detergents do not have a negative effect on tinting, so they can be added to water. The water itself can have either a low or high temperature. This will only affect the quality of washing);
2. Do not leave moisture on the surface of the tinting (after washing the window, you must wipe it with a cotton napkin or toilet paper. These materials absorb moisture well. The same applies to the accumulation of condensation);
3. Monitor the insulation of the wires (the wires connecting the glass and the controller must have plastic insulation. When installing them, it is advisable to choose the most direct path to avoid bends. You should also treat the joints and connections of the wires with insulating tape).

On Glass tinting is widely popular due to the fact that it allows you to recreate any window size using a 3D matrix.

Vario Plus Sky tint

Vario Plus Sky technology is a multi-layer smart glass that provides up to 96% light reflection. Vario Plus Sky tinting is capable of retaining heat, which affects the overall level of comfort in the car interior. And due to the multilayer structure, Vario Plus Sky can withstand quite strong impacts, up to 800 J (200 J of energy is enough to destroy ordinary glass).

Important ! The multi-layer composition of Vario Plus Sky also increases the mass of the entire door structure. And this leads to accelerated failure of the hinges on the doors and frame.

Principle of operation

Vario Plus Sky glass consists of several layers of adhesive film. Between each new layer there is a liquid base consisting of crystals. In a calm state, it is motionless, due to which a very dense layer is created, with a light transmittance of only 4%.

In order to activate liquid crystals, it is enough to run a current through them. In this case, copper wires are located between the layers of the film, the voltage in which is regulated through a controller connected to the on-board computer.

Under the influence of electricity, the crystals begin to move little by little, forming empty fields between themselves. It is through them that the light subsequently enters the car interior. The stronger the current, the larger these fields become. In this way, you can adjust any convenient percentage of glass light transmission.

The average cost of Vario Plus Sky tinting reaches 350,000 rubles, including delivery and installation. Therefore, this technology is not in wide demand.

Important ! Vario Plus Sky tint can be found on some Bavarian luxury cars. There it is installed as a basic option that does not require additional payment.

Vario Plus glass

Due to the large weight (more than 1.5 kg) Vario Plus Sky requires more battery power consumption. The situation is aggravated by a large number of layers of protective film. By design, they must always be under tension. And this effect can only be achieved with additional battery consumption.

Vario Plus Sky glass is made only in America. In Russia, this tinting technology is only available to order, for a fairly large sum. And the installation of such glass cannot be done by hand. Their installation requires a specialist with appropriate education.

Maintenance of tinted glass Vario Plus Sky

Vario Plus Sky tint has no special maintenance requirements. In order for such triplex glass to last as long as possible, it is enough to:

1. Wash it with a soft sponge, without using a fiber coating (the water can be at any temperature. This does not affect the quality of the glass in any way. The use of any chemical cleaners is also allowed);
2. Remove residual moisture and accumulated condensation (to avoid problems with the Vario Plus Sky mechanism, the glass must be thoroughly wiped with a cotton napkin or toilet paper);
3. Monitor the insulation of the wires (the wiring inside the door should be positioned as straight as possible, without bends. The joints and contact points must be insulated with special tape).

The service life of Vario Plus Sky tinting reaches 5-6 years. Therefore, this technology is not widely popular.

Job resource

Standard classic car glass can withstand the following loads:

• for side ones - up to 120 J;
• for the windshield - up to 190 J.

If we take as an example a Russian-made product manufactured under an American patent from Samara, the figure here reaches 820 J.

Thus:

• It is almost impossible to break glass manually;
• in addition, it can be emphasized that due to the fact that the product is multi-layered, it is characterized by high sound insulation.

These and many other characteristics of Russian glass and glass ordered from the USA allow us to believe the words of the manufacturer, who claims that the life tests of the product made it possible to determine the period of its operation, reaching 9,000 on-off cycles.

It should be emphasized that as a result of testing, no visible signs of destruction were found, which may suggest that there is still enough reserve before its complete failure.

Electrochromic film

In its type of action, electrochromic film is reminiscent of SPD and PDLC technologies: under the influence of electricity, liquid particles begin to move, forming empty fields, which allows light to enter the car interior. But unlike SPD and PDLC technologies, the electrochromic film contains special chemical elements that act as a catalyst.

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That is, in addition to a forced reaction to the supplied current, the tinting will also demonstrate a reaction to a change in temperature conditions. And this makes it very difficult to control the light transmission of windows.

Important ! After applying current, the film becomes very hot, and therefore its color is fixed for a long time. But in a deactivated state, even the environment can affect the light transmittance of the film.

Principle of operation

Electrochromic film can be installed on any car glass in four simple steps:

1. Removing old film from windows (if there is already tinting on the car windows, then it must be removed using a hairdryer, soapy water and a spatula);
2. Cleaning the surface of the window from dirt, dust and glue residues (the window is washed at least twice, after which it must be wiped dry);

1. Applying a soap solution to the work surface (before placing the electrochromic film on the window, it must be treated with a soap solution);
2. Installation of electrochromic film (such a film must be glued very slowly, avoiding the formation of air bubbles. They will subsequently cause incorrect tinting. For greater convenience, it is recommended to use a rubber spatula and a hair dryer).

Two wires leading to the controller are connected to the pasted film. They need to be well insulated to ensure contact. There is only one button on the controller, which gradually increases the current supplied to the glass. Due to this, the car windows are darkened, creating up to 5-10% light transmittance.

Maintenance of glass with electrochromic film

Electrochromic film is susceptible to temperature. But temperature does not affect its quality in any way. Therefore, you can wash it with both cold and hot water. The main thing is to use a soft sponge, without a fiber coating. To improve the efficiency of glass washing, it is allowed to add detergents based on different bases to the water.

Electrochromic film categorically does not like moisture. Therefore, after washing, you need to wipe it dry using toilet paper or cotton napkins. Otherwise, moisture can damage the wiring by forming oxidation on it.

Contacts on such tinting must have high-quality insulation. In particular, you need to pay attention to wire bends and joints. These places are most susceptible to oxidation and short circuits. To increase safety, the joints should be lubricated with grease and wrapped with electrical tape.

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.

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.

Adjusting the dimming level

Adjusting the darkening level of glass is used not only in cars, in order to avoid fines, but also in some houses where the wall structure does not allow the installation of curtains or blinds. Due to special liquid compositions, electric tinting can provide up to 4% light transmittance.

Thanks to its liquid structure, electric tint can even retain heat, thereby affecting the climate inside the car. Thus, many car owners save on air conditioning during the hot season.

To adjust the window darkening level, a minimum voltage of 100-110 V is sufficient. Therefore, electric tinting does not drain the car battery. Well, due to the multilayer construction, tinted glass can withstand much greater loads without obvious damage.

Additional Information ! The multilayer design increases the level of sound insulation of the cabin.

Is it possible to remove

If it is necessary to remove the American tint, the car owner has only one option - to act as in the photo, that is, replace the glass with new ones, since the elements that block light rays are located inside the structure.

There are no other options, however, if he used the above method using PDLC technology to darken the windows, dismantling is quite simple.

The material is removed from the surface in the same way as a regular tint film.

A similar situation concerns the method using light-chromic crystals of the Micropor film.

Advantages and disadvantages of adjustable tint

Compared to conventional car windows, electric tinting has a number of advantages:

• The ability to adjust the light transmission of the window (in the dark, solid tinting limits the view. In the case of an adjustable coating, this unpleasant effect can be avoided);
• Availability of additional protection from ultraviolet rays (electric tinting can absorb up to 95% of ultraviolet light);
• Possibility of saving money on air conditioning and climate control (due to the special structure, electrical tinting can retain heat, ensuring coolness in the cabin).

But the only disadvantages of electric tinting are:

• High cost of the entire structure (copper wiring, controller and triplex);
• Impossibility of self-installation;
• Increased battery consumption due to constant tension of the triplex;
• Limited selection of models.

The last drawback applies only to Russian car owners. In US markets, electric tinting is freely available.

Cost, pros and cons

The price for installing electronic auto tint will depend on what make and model you want to install on, because installation difficulties vary from car to car.

But, in Moscow for 2021, the average prices for electronic tinting are as follows:

1. Installation on foreign passenger cars ~ from 30,000 rubles.
2. Installation on foreign cars crossovers ~ from 35 thousand rubles.
3. Installations for foreign cars, jeeps, SUVs ~ from 45 thousand rubles.

These prices only include the work of craftsmen. Glass is purchased separately by the customer. The glass must be original.

Disadvantages of automatic car window tinting:

1. High price. You have to buy all original glass, and original spare parts are expensive. It also depends on what kind of car.
2. The weight of car doors increases, since the glass has a good weight. If you keep such heavy doors open for a long time, they can sag, because factory auto door hinges are designed for less weight.
3. To install tinted glass, some door structures have to cut out stiffening ribs, which is not good.
4. If dust appears between the glasses, it is difficult to remove it from there.

Pros:

1. Protection from prying eyes.
2. There is no need to cover the plastic black panel in hot weather to prevent cracking.
3. Heat protection.

Electronic tinting from China

In Russia, double-glass tinting is very popular. But SPD and PDLC technologies are more common in America. Therefore, you can buy them only by pre-order, spending at least 80 thousand rubles.

Well, the Chinese market offers cheaper analogues of SPD and PDLC tinting, with free delivery throughout Russia. But this proposal is nothing more than a “temptation”. After all, for 20-30 thousand rubles, a motorist risks buying an ordinary triplex, which will not respond correctly to electrical impulses. And this situation cannot be corrected by installing new wiring. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and buy proven electric tinting.

Technologies of the future today

One press of a button and the tinted windows of your car will reliably hide you from prying prying eyes. One more button and the world becomes transparent again. Previously, this could only be seen in science fiction films. Now people are lining up at car service centers for this innovation. And the surprise of a traffic police inspector who stopped a car with dark windows in the hope of easy money cannot be described in words - you need to see it!

There are two similar types of tinting:

1. Electrochromic
2. And electronic

It should be noted right away that the price of electrochromic tinting is approximately equal to the cost of an old VAZ “classic” - 50-80 thousand rubles. And those who want to install electronic tint on their car can use this money to buy a VAZ that has just rolled off the production line - 340-400 thousand rubles.

Comparison of prices for electric tinting

All three types of electric tinting have their own price category. But the table below will show how justified the cost of each technology is:

Technology name	Price	Light transmission level	Equipment	Additional functions
SPD	395 – 450 thousand rubles.	From 10 to 90%	Two glasses (or two films), copper wires and a controller	UV protection, sound insulation and heat retention
PDLC	55 – 90 thousand rubles.	From 4 to 95%	Two glasses (or two films), copper wires and a controller	UV protection, sound insulation, shock resistance and heat retention
Two glasses	20 – 50 thousand rubles.	From 10 to 95%	Two glasses, one film, copper wires, two controllers and two electric motors	Soundproofing

Of all the presented electric tints, PDLC technology shows itself to be the best. Its price is quite affordable, and in terms of functionality it is in no way inferior to the American analogue SPD. Double glass has the weakest performance. Therefore, it is recommended to install them on a car only as a last resort.

Adviсe

Professionals recommend following several important tips to simplify the pasting process and improve the result:

• work must be carried out in a box or garage;
• Before gluing the material, the air in the garage is thoroughly humidified to prevent dust particles from getting under the film and forming bubbles;

• When cutting out film, you should always take a size 1 cm larger on each side for the most accurate fit;
• smoothing should start from the center and work towards the edges;
• To level the film, the surface is slightly heated with a hairdryer.

Despite the high cost of electric tinting, it has high performance characteristics: it helps regulate light transmission, protects from prying eyes and prevents heating of the interior. Due to full compliance with the law, the owner will not be subject to fines.