Located near the equator, we Malaysians feel the heat all year round with an average temperature of 28˚C, to an occasional heat wave of 35˚C in recent months. Now, have you ever driven or been in a car without any auto film? Then you’d probably be all too familiar with how uncomfortable it is and just how easy it is for sun damage to occur especially if you’re in for a long drive.
While cars do protect us from the general elements, we are still exposed to the invisible dangers of the sunlight during our commute. This is where the role of auto film comes in, not just for the privacy of your vehicle, but to also offer you protection from the harmful rays. With a wide range of auto films in the market that come with various prices and standards, how does one go about in selecting the “right” auto film?
To begin, we must first understand:
What is Visible Light Transmission (VLT) and Sun Protection Factor (SPF)?
Visible light transmission levels are normally represented in percentage which is equivalent to the percentage of visible light that enters the vehicle window. In other words, 30% VLT filters out 70% of visible light and only allows 30% of VLT to enter.
On the other hand, SPF is the measurement on how long the sunscreen will protect your skin from ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVB rays tend to damage the epidermis which is the skin’s outer layer. These are the 3 most common SPF levels seen on sun blocks:
- SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays
- SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
- SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays
Low-Grade vs Quality film
Have you ever seen colour change, bubbles, warping or peeling on a car tint? It is often caused by low-grade tinting, which are more prone to the risk factors listed above. Additionally, the price could be a fraction of the more notable brands, but it may not protect you and your car interior from the harmful UV rays or even the heat. It is merely just for aesthetics. Low-grade films are available at almost any car accessory shops, but it often lacks quality, lifespan, protection and security. The normal cost for a quality tint will range from RM700 to RM5000 for an established auto film brand.
Basic protection features
As mentioned above, exposing your skin to the sun can lead to skin problems and in worst case scenarios, skin cancer. To prevent that, it is crucial to carefully select a film that provides the protection you need. A basic quality tint will have UV protection and heat rejection features at the very least. Most standard auto films block out 99% of UV rays.
Choose a trustworthy brand
Companies can make claims about their products but how do you know which are accurate? This is where research would prove to be extremely useful. Look-up for the product’s specification sheets online to back up their data or seek brands that have third-party accreditations. Brands like 3M auto films are recommended by the US skin cancer foundation, as they provide a total sun protection factor (SPF) of more than 1000 — 30 times higher than a top-grade sunscreen.
Keep cool and reduce fuel consumption
Auto films alone are unable to entirely block out heat from the interior of a vehicle because other parts of the vehicle also absorb heat. However, with the help of good quality auto film, a significant amount of heat can be blocked out depending on the Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER).
TSER is a term you will often see on the brochures of auto films. It is equivalent to the heat rejected by the film. The higher the number, the more heat is rejected which in turn will cool down your car at a faster rate. As a result, it reduces the need to blast your air conditioning and may subsequently reduce fuel consumption for some cars.
Security and safety
Besides protecting the occupants from harmful UV rays, auto films can also prevent your windows from shattering into tiny pieces during an impact. Security films can hold broken glass pieces together and keep it from flying airborne.
In Malaysia, where smash-and-grab cases are rampant, security films prove to be helpful as it makes it more difficult and time-consuming for the crime to take place. Note that security films are not designed to be impenetrable in case rescue operations need to take place.
Warranty
Besides looking at the specifications an auto film provides you, you should also check if they provide a warranty for it. Most quality products come with a warranty from the manufacturer which is fulfilled by authorized dealers. In cases where the film has a defect or starts peeling within the warranty period, you should be able to make a claim. This is also why it is important to only purchase auto films from legitimate authorized dealers.
Should I install metallized films?
Metallized films come with certain issues. Due to the metallic compounds in the film, metallized films might interfere with GPS signals, mobile phone signals, RFID Tag, and even your auto gate signal. The other problem with metallized films is corrosion, which affects the appearance of the film and even the heat rejection performance. Over time, the colour of the tint will change to purple or brown which eventually affects visibility.
Darker film doesn’t mean better heat rejection
Firstly, check the current tint regulations before applying, to prevent trouble with local authorities. The current regulations for tinting in Malaysia are — 70% VLT for the windscreen, 50% VLT for the front side windows and any percentage for the rear windows. A darker film does not necessarily reflect heat better than a clear film. Heat rejection is calculated based on TSER.
