How Does Privacy Glass Work? A Look at Factory-Tinted Windows

Discover the general process of producing privacy glass and how they differ from an aftermarket window tint. .

In this blog, we will explore the question ‘How does privacy glass work? A look at factory tinted windows’.

With a thriving aftermarket industry, it’s no secret that vehicle owners want the best for their vehicles, whether it’s making it look the way they want it and/or making upgrades. Either way, having peace of mind is the most important factor, this can only be provided by established and trusted service providers like GoTints!

Can I add window tints over my privacy glass?

Yes, it is entirely possible to add a window tint over your privacy glass. However, there are some important considerations that need to be taken into account before conducting this. Below are the main considerations to take:

Increased darkness:

• Applying an additional layer of tint film will significantly darken the windows. It’s crucial to ensure that the combined tint level complies with local legal restrictions. Exceeding these limits can result in fines, a removal order, and possibly more. 

• The final tint level will be a combination of the factory tint and the applied film. This means you’ll need to carefully calculate the resulting darkness to avoid exceeding legal limits.

Potential issues:

• Stacking tint films can, in some instances, lead to issues like “outgassing,” where gases released from the films can cause visual distortions. However, this is less of an issue with modern films.

• It is very important to make sure that the surface of the factory tinted glass is extremely clean before applying any further tinting film.

Professional advice:

It’s highly recommended to consult with a professional window tinting installer. They can provide expert advice on film selection, legal compliance, and proper installation techniques.   

Why do people add a tint to their privacy glass?

• One of the main reasons people add tint to factory tint is to match the darkness of the front car windows, to the factory tinted rear windows. Professional installers are best equipped to match the tints.
• Even if your car has factory tinted windows, adding a good quality aftermarket tint film can add additional benefits, such as increased UV protection, and improved heat rejection.

What makes privacy glass tinted during manufacturing? How does it work?

Factory-tinted windows are created by integrating pigments into the glass during manufacturing, providing a uniform, aesthetically pleasing, and privacy-enhancing effect. Below is a deeper look into the general manufacturing process and its results. 

The manufacturing process:

Pigments are integrated:

• Unlike aftermarket tinting, which involves applying a film to the glass surface, factory tinting involves incorporating pigments or dyes directly into the glass during its manufacturing.
• This process occurs when the molten glass is being formed. Metal oxides and other coloring agents are added to the glass mixture, giving it a darkened appearance. As a result, this means the tint is part of the glass itself, not a separate layer.

“Deep dipping”

• This is a general term that is used to describe the process of adding the tinting agents to the glass during the manufacturing phase.

Consistent results:

Because the tint is integrated into the glass, factory-tinted windows have a uniform and consistent appearance. Eliminating the risk of bubbles, peeling, or unevenness that can occur with aftermarket tints.   

Tempering:

Car windows are typically tempered, a process that strengthens the glass and makes it shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces. The tinting process occurs before the tempering.   

Key characteristics of privacy glass:

Privacy and aesthetics:

• The primary purpose of factory-tinted windows is to enhance privacy and provide a sleek, uniform aesthetic.   
• The darkened glass reduces the ability of outsiders to see into the vehicle’s interior.   

Nominal  UV and heat protection:

• While factory tinting darkens the glass, it doesn’t necessarily provide the same level of UV protection or heat rejection as high-quality aftermarket tints.   
• Factory tinting primarily addresses visible light, while aftermarket tints often incorporate technologies to block UV and infrared radiation.

Legal considerations:

Automakers must comply with legal tinting regulations, which can change at times. This often means that factory tinting is applied primarily to rear windows, as front windows have stricter light transmission requirements.   

Differences from aftermarket tinting:

It is very important to remember that factory tinting is vastly different from aftermarket tinting. Aftermarket tinting applies a film to the inside of the glass, and has different properties.

Can my car interior fade if I just use privacy glass?

Yes, if you only use privacy glass on your car, your car interior can fade, this is due to privacy glass not being as strong in terms of UV protection as a good-quality window tint would be. 

That being said, fading will occur at a quicker rate if there is prolonged sunlight exposure, if this can be avoided, the fading will occur at a much slowe rate. 

You can help to avoid sunlight exposure by applying an aftermarket window tint to the windows, parking in shaded areas, and even applying a cover over the vehicle when not in use. 

Does interior fading affect performance?

Not exactly, but a vehicle with a faded interior can affect the overall value of your vehicle to some degree. The exact amount this can affect value can vary depending on the vehicle, however, this can also be seen as a natural aspect of depreciation over time. 

Why choose GoTints for privacy?