How to Distinguish Between Good and Bad Car Window Tints?
2 Answers
Methods to distinguish between good and bad car window tints are introduced as follows: From the perspective of clarity: Regardless of the tint's darkness, a good tint should allow clear visibility of objects beyond 6 meters at night, while a bad tint may appear foggy. From the perspective of touch: A good tint feels thick and smooth to the touch, whereas a bad tint feels thin and brittle, and is prone to wrinkling. From the perspective of color: The pigments in a good tint are evenly blended into the film and will not fade during the application process when scraped with a squeegee. In contrast, the color in a bad tint is in the adhesive used for bonding; when the tint's inner lining is peeled off and the color is scraped with a fingernail, it will come off. Car window tinting involves applying a thin film-like material to the front and rear windshields, side windows, and sometimes the sunroof of a vehicle. This film-like material is also known as solar film or heat-insulating film.
I've been driving for several years and have replaced car window films multiple times, summarizing a set of practical methods. Good films feel smooth and resilient, unlike inferior ones that are rough and prone to wrinkles. If it feels too thin or has a pungent smell, it likely contains formaldehyde—avoid it immediately. Testing light transmittance is simple: on a sunny day, cover the window with your hand and shine a phone flashlight through it. Good films disperse light evenly without glare, with an ideal standard value around 70%. Don’t overlook heat insulation either—I often test it by placing a hot cup against the film and feeling the temperature drop after a few seconds; faster cooling indicates better performance. After installation, check the details: excessive bubbles or peeling edges suggest poor quality or an inexperienced installer. Brands like 3M are reliable—more expensive but durable, lasting five to six years without fading. Remember, cheap films will bubble up in summer and drive you crazy. After installation, wash your car frequently and use a soft cloth for gentle cleaning.
