MK6 Front Tint to match factory 'Dark Tint' option

[nicandlance]

It does block 35% though doesn't it? I'm happy with that - but I'd be happier if all the windows were dark...
Oh well, after Monday they probably will be!

[bigmouthmedia]

Nic, I've replied on your email - but the car is being done right now - so i'll post some pics up here once it's done, they seem pretty nice people and at a good rate.

I'm getting the "Sonic" brand - the Solaris is apparently a bit reflective/mirrorlike on the outside - i prefer not to look like I listen to 80's pop music

[Corey_R]

It does block 35% though doesn't it? I'm happy with that - but I'd be happier if all the windows were dark...
Oh well, after Monday they probably will be!

Hi Nic,

Tinting is a really complicated thing. Most people think the only thing which matters is colour and the '35%'. I refer you to the Solar Gard Tinting FAQ

The '35%' that gets quoted on car tinting means that it only allows "35% of VISIBLE light TRANSMITTENCE"

But there is more than just 'VLT'.

The other common 'performance ratings' on Solar films include:
Solar Energy Transmittance, Absorptance and Reflectance.
Visible Light External and Internal Reflectance (in addition to the Transmittance)
Emissivity
Thermal Energy U-Value, Shading Coefficient and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.
UV Light Transmittance
and commonly an overall 'Total Solar Energy Rejected'

It appears that the VW 'Privacy Glass' is either not designed to block Thermal Energy or UV Light Transmittance, or doesn't do a good job of it (again, we're relying on information posted on various forums and from tint specialists, as VW themselves don't really give any information on this). This is why other people have been getting 'clear tint' which does not block too much more visible light (so the 35% won't change too much), but does give much better results in all those other values I've listed above.

I hope this helps

[Corey_R]

I'm getting the "Sonic" brand - the Solaris is apparently a bit reflective/mirrorlike on the outside - i prefer not to look like I listen to 80's pop music

So to relate this back to the information on my post above, that would mean that the Sonic Solaris tint has a higher Visible Light External Reflectance % than other common automotive tints.

It should also be noted that highly reflective or 'mirror' tints are illegal in Australia. As are 'coloured' or 'fading' tints (except along the top of the front windscreen). Mind you, from what I've seen of the specification, they don't give specific % values of what is legal or not in relation to colour and visible light reflectance - just visible light transmittance.

[nicandlance]

Thanks for that information, you really are a fountain of knowledge aren't you lol!? It does clear up a few questions I had though... shame VW can't give better information on what sort of tint it actually is!

Thinking I'll go with the Formula One tint at Tint a Car... going to go have a look on Monday. He suggested another to me as well (MNE), but I think Formula One has better protection and quite a few other members have gone with it as well.
Just got to get past my fear of having them stuff up my interior door panels and giving me rattles that will drive me bonkers!

[nicandlance]

Nic, I've replied on your email - but the car is being done right now - so i'll post some pics up here once it's done, they seem pretty nice people and at a good rate.

I'm getting the "Sonic" brand - the Solaris is apparently a bit reflective/mirrorlike on the outside - i prefer not to look like I listen to 80's pop music

Saw you changed Comfortline to Comfort Pack lol!!
Hope that tint is looking good... looking forward to pics!

[roy]

Hi coreying,
u mean the factory tint coming with the sport package can not block Thermal Energy?
because i think i absorbs 65% light (including UV) from the SPEC..

anyone with the factory tint do u feel anything about that?
how about u nic? what do you think the privacy tint?
otherwise probably i need to tint all the windows instead of only the front 2

[Corey_R]

Hi Roy.

Light and heat are not the same thing (please see the link to the Solar Guard Tint FAQ.
The VW Spec (at least for the GTI) also does not actually say that blocks UV - nor does it say what type of UV. Nor has anyone at this site, or any of the dealers questioned, been able to provide any actual specifications for the tint....

We're all individuals, so make your own decision - but please check out the Tint FAQ to help understand all that encompasses a 'tint film'

[roy]

the reason no one questioned that i guess because it's too 'common sense'...e.g for me i took it for granted the light on spec includes UV, infrared radiation...etc
thank you for your link i'll check it out.

[Corey_R]

But it's not 'common sense'. Heat and light are two different things. So I would agree that it is 'common misconception', but definitely not common sense.

UV A, UV B and UV C are three separate things.
Have a look at ANY of those Tints on the Solar Gard site, or from any other manufacturer for that matter, and you will see that there are LARGE differences amoung '35% tints' in their ability to block heat, even though they all block the same amount of light.

Also note that there is also a LARGE difference in their ability to regulate the tempurature contained within - Emissivity.