Octavia Wagon Tinting

[BottomScratcher]

I've definitely noticed the increased burn on my old sun damaged arms since summer started to come our way.

...Skoda really ought to think about putting UV filtering in their glass for cars sold in Australia, imho.

Windscreens generally offer enough UV protection due to their laminated construction. All modern auto glass blocks all UVB rays, but transmits reduced UVA rays. To block windscreen UVA rays a coating needs to be applied to the glass, not something added during manufacture. The side windows aren't laminated, and they're thinner, so UVA transmission is considerably higher through untinted side windows than through windscreens.

In a study by the Department of Dermatology, University of Tuebingen, Germany, UV exposure inside cars in motion was evaluated in seven German middle-class cars, fitted with three different types of car windows.

"Conclusion: The car glass types examined offer substantial protection against short-wave UV radiation. Professional drivers should keep car windows closed on sunny days to reduce occupational UV exposure. In individuals with polymorphic light eruption, produced by long-wave UVA, additional protection by plastic films, clothes or sunscreens appears necessary."
*PLE is an allergic reaction to sunlight found in 5-20% of fair skinned people.

it's just as easy to get sunburnt on a German "sunny day" as it is an Australian one. Manufacturers seem willing to advertise "UV filtering glass", but don't specify which UV rays are being filtered. As I said, all modern auto glass blocks all UVB, and some UVA, so unless specified that the glass blocks UVA as well as UVB then their "UV filtering glass" is no different to any other windscreen. Definitely a case of buyer beware.

I like Billy Connolly's idea for people who always forget their glasses - prescription windscreens. Genius!

[space-godzilla]

My post from two years ago on window tinting.

I ended up just going with a metallic film from Instant Windscreens here in Canberra and I never noticed a problem with the radio or mobile reception. But my Octavia didn't have the GPS unit so I can't comment there.

[Mysticality]

GPS aerial is in the FM aerial - its like a little shark fin infront of the actual FM stalk.

Secondary FM aerial in the wagon is on the rear right cargo bay window - it looks like a demister.

[candy_wagon]

I know I am reviving an old thread here but I have just had the tinting done on my wagon and thought I'd share my thoughts.

After all the discussions about ceramic Vs metallic film I tried to get Victorian dealer information about the Johnson Insulatir film, but the company never bothered to get back to me after 4 email attempts. So I took to asking around and calling recommended places near me in the South East of Melbourne.

I was directed to Top Tint in Mornington and found their knowledge very good and they recommended their top film which is Solar Gard Quantum. This is a 'darkest legal' metallic film and they said if there was any problems with radio or GPS reception they would replace that window with another Solar Gard film that has the same external appearance.

They quoted $380 for the job including computer cut film and a life time guarantee on product and workmanship.

Aside from taking 4 hours instead of 2 like they said they did do a good job and I have found absolutely no change in radio of GPS reception which I am sure all will agree is generally quite strong in our cars anyway. I have not tested the AM reception, but if I'm honest I have never even turned my radio over to AM!

I can post pics if anyone is interested but I don't have any just yet.

[Mysticality]

The GPS antenna is that little black fin infront of your radio antenna on the roof.
The actual antenna on the drivers side cargo window is a secondary FM antenna, for traffic programme and station list searching so that it doesn't interrupt listening on the primary (roof) FM antenna.

There are two tuners in the unit.
The roof mounted antenna is also for AM radio.

I'm getting my tint done tomorrow - $350 in cash for "darkest legal", lifetime warranty etc.
Will post results.

[Weekend-Warrior]

"Darkest Legal" is a bit of a catchcry.

Each state is a bit different (see below), but it's pretty safe to say that it just means that once the tint is on the window the end result for visible light transmittance (VLT) won't be less than 35%.

http://www.tintingaustralia.com.au/pdf/

Tint is available in a few different VLT %, so which one is applied depends on whether there is any tints in the window to begin with.

You can use darker tint on the window rearwards of the front seating positions in Qld. But you'll also need flashing lights or call it a hearse.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Vehicle%20standards%20and%20modifications/Vehicle%20standards/pdf_f29_guidelines_nonstandard_tinting.pdf

[wfdTamar]

Have yuz noticed if tinting does in fact keep the car cooler? I've got an anthracite grey wagon and after just a couple of minutes parked in the sun it's pretty hot inside. It has the light factory tint.

[Weekend-Warrior]

Tint will help. But darker coloured cars will always absorb more heat.

[Martin]

You may knock a degree or two off but if the car is on the street for the day while you work the car will roast

The tint is more for driving comfort imo - reduce glare etc
I always get the car tinted - no exceptions

[candy_wagon]

I have found that my tinted car is fractionally cooler than when untinted. But I do still find myself getting all the windows down using the key fob before I get in the car so the hot air can clear.

It is white too, so it won't heat up as much as a dark one. That said, my last car was a black Focus with full black leather interior and with a 'basic' Tint Professor job, it was the coolest car I have had - by a fair margin!

But yes, I do it for a combination of looks, privacy (I carry camera equipment with me all the time) and for reduced heat/glare/UV.

[gldgti]

When I got mine done I went from 35% (which seemed like no tint at all - it was dealer tint so prob the cheapest around) to 20%.

Looks like this:




OK its illegal but on a car with these windows feels just the same inside now as our mk1 with 35%. No probs from the law so far, with 2 RBT's down

Cost me $250 but I got another car done at the same time

Definitely helps keep the temperature down.

[Twin_Dad]

^^ it may be illegal but damn it looks good on the black wagon.