Blacked out windows
 

I was on a forecourt, nosing around, as you do, and came across an MPV with blacked out windows. Even when I cupped a hand against the galss I could not see inside. It would seem that this would improve security and cut down on radiant heat getting inside.

The garage owner told me a similar thing could be done to any vehicle for 200 gbp but he advised against a do it yourself job.

I believe that in some countries black-out glass is not legal, does anyone know anything about this, and even if it is legal what are the pros and cons

Hi Tony

if you can't see through the tinted glass in daylight then it is now illegal in the UK. there are plenty of companies around who do tinting but many of them will make a complete hash of it.
I will try to dig out the contact details for a company I deal with in South London, who are very reasonably priced.

However, the best are probably Pentagon Security Glass but they are not cheap.



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ChrisC

Hello guys,

Correct me if I am wrong, but you only need the windscreen and front windows in a vehicle. Everything else can be blanked, panelled up or pasted over.

As for the way it can be done, Pentagon supply a special film that adds security to the glass and may be tinted on not. A regular tint can be applied by anyone with a bit of skill, patience, soapy water, rubber wiper and hair dryer.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Sticking on a film is not to difficult if you take your time.

Police in Benin stopped me for having tinted windows, which was elegal without a special permission.

So I asked them where I could get that permission, explaining that I didn't know, it's a foreign registered car, and I will get the permission as soon as I get to Cotonou.

Just another break from driving and a friendly chat with the police.

Thanx for advise.

Chris, if you do get time to look out name of company that would be much apreciated.

I would not want to tint the windscreen, that would be asking for trouble at police checks.

Has anyone got a view on how useful tinting is, the pros and cons re security and temp control in hot places.

Robbert,

That the police in Benin told you it was illigal sounds more like a try at getting some "cadeau"! We had all the rear windows and rear passenger windows blackend, and never heard a word from any cop in Benin about it. Nor in any other 20some african countrys.

We found that having dark windows was a benefit both for the heat (less inside the car) and from keeping the contents in the rear "invisable".

I'd go for a film that reflects as much heat as possible if one has a choice between several types. I've gotten the impression that "silvery" film reflect more than blackish ones, but this might vary from brand to brand.

Erik D.

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Silver will reflect better than darker colours, so is the one to go for.

You can alwyas use a water based white paint(on the inside), then wash it off again at the end of your trip - will cost almost nothing.

Sam.

I tried that boy racer film stuff you can get from Halfords etc on the three back windows of my 110. The darkest is 'limo black', so the landy looked well hard for about a week before air bubbles under the film appeared, then got worse, then 8000 miles into our trip came off alltogether. Have retried the door window, this time using bathroom silicone around the edge, but it doen't look like it'll last either. Basically that film stuff for the outside of the windows is a waste of money and time, I'll be going down the paint route soon . . . .

Huey

Huey,

What they sell in Belgium is film you are supposed to stick on the inside of the window. Mine is on there for more then a year now, drove trough Africa and still sticking fine. No bubbles at all. On the outside I can immagine it suffers from the climate....

Rob

Yeah, the Halfords dark film I used was applied to the INSIDE of the windows, did the rear of my LR90 and its still fine a year later, definitely helps to kep it cooler - the reflective would be even better. Keeps the contents out of site nicely.
Cheers, Gipper.

BTW ... have any of you noticed that in Mauritania and Senegal , people a different blacking out film ?

Over there , most cars with darkened windows use the "mirror / blue" style , which looks much better , and -supposedly reflects heat much better. Its mostly mirror/reflecting film with a hint of blue at the top.

Its the fashion now in Nouatchoct and I presume it should be really cheap and desert-proof.!!.

Hava nice day .

I have now had film put on the windows from the back doors backwards. I got the darkest I could get, I think it is called 'limo'. The film is graded by the amount of light it lets through, 5% being darker than 15% etc.

For info: because light can get in through the front it is possible to see through the back windows looking from the back towards the front.

If total security is needed mirror film may be the only way, that or film on all the windows. Film on all is not legal and means driving around in gloom.

And, mirror glass, I am told, looks naff, possilby.

[This message has been edited by Tonyabc (edited 27 November 2004).]

I have the Pentagon film on my 110. As Chris mentioned, not cheap, but very good, even if my 110 looked a bit out of place with the Astons and Bentleys while getting done...

http://www.pentagonglasstech.com/

Cheers,
Nick.

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Nick Taylor
www.exerro.com
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1996 BMW F650
1996 300 TDi 90
1997 NAS D90 ST #685
1998 Camel Trophy 110 CT47

Nick,

Did you have it done in the UK? If so, how much per window? I am thinking of doing just the front windows (the rear ones are protected by steel mesh).


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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

Roman,
Can't remember the exact cost per window, but IIRC it was about 800 GBP for the lot with their security film and tint.

Nick.

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Nick Taylor
www.exerro.com
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1996 BMW F650
1996 300 TDi 90
1997 NAS D90 ST #685
1998 Camel Trophy 110 CT47