High UVR and IRR on Factory Glass - diminishing value of aftermarket window tint?

[The Critic]

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/tx...22835-factory-tint-levels-and-protection.html

User in the above thread measured the UVR (ultraviolet rejection) and IRR (infrared rejection) on the factory glass from a Lexus TX350. The factory glass appears to already contains significant protection in these two categories, so adding aftermarket window tint may bring a more limited improvement than one would expect.

During a recent extended drive of a TX, I noticed the door glass to remain cooler than I would expect. The data collected by the clublexus user seems to validate the accuracy of the data.

Perhaps the upcharge for high-end ceramic window tint is no longer worthwhile on some vehicles?

 

[ctechbob]

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/tx...22835-factory-tint-levels-and-protection.html

User in the above thread measured the UVR (ultraviolet rejection) and IRR (infrared rejection) on the factory glass from a Lexus TX350. The factory glass appears to already contains significant protection in these two categories, so adding aftermarket window tint may bring a more limited improvement than one would expect.

During a recent extended drive of a TX, I noticed the door glass to remain cooler than I would expect. The data collected by the clublexus user seems to validate the accuracy of the data.

Perhaps the upcharge for high-end ceramic window tint is no longer worthwhile on some vehicles?

Still going to cut down on glare and eye strain going from 81% VLT to even the (usual) legal limit of ~35%(ish). (Depending on state, your mileage may vary, usual disclaimers apply, not valid in Canada or where prohibited by law.....etc)

 

[The Critic]

Still going to cut down on glare and eye strain going from 81% VLT to even the (usual) legal limit of ~35%(ish). (Depending on state, your mileage may vary, usual disclaimers apply, not valid in Canada or where prohibited by law.....etc)

Most of the glare will come from the front windshield. I have never found much of an improvement in glare from tinting the side windows.

 

[ctechbob]

Most of the glare will come from the front windshield. I have never found much of an improvement in glare from tinting the side windows.

Sure, but here in the blazing summers every bit helps.

FWIW, from as far back as I remember working at a tint shop, 99.9% of cars on the road had some amount of tint in the factory glass. Not necessarily that new of a development. Even 'clear' windows on sedans would read in the 80% range.

 

[researcher]

What about what happens when that factory glass ages and the UVR and IR rejection begin to diminish? No glass can absorb UV or reject it indefinitely. That's where the aftermarket will come in and supplement/restore the UV and IR rejecting or absorbing characteristics.

 

[ctechbob]

What about what happens when that factory glass ages and the UVR and IR rejection begin to diminish? No glass can absorb UV or reject it indefinitely. That's where the aftermarket will come in and supplement/restore the UV and IR rejecting or absorbing characteristics.

Dunno about that. They generally use metals (Metal Oxides) in the glass to provide the rejection. I'd imagine those will outlast the vehicle.

 

[fantastic]

Nice to somewhat match the front tint color with the rears though and @ctechbob stated anything extra may help. Some states will allow even darker than factory tint so that's nice. We're at 35% in MO though.

 

[Davejam]

For a luxury vehicle one might have the expectation that they shouldn't need to seek additional tint.
But having said that factory tint will have to adhere to a general spec which covers most/all of the market area (USA) and we know states impose very different laws on tint/VLT.

 

[Hohn]

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/tx...22835-factory-tint-levels-and-protection.html

User in the above thread measured the UVR (ultraviolet rejection) and IRR (infrared rejection) on the factory glass from a Lexus TX350. The factory glass appears to already contains significant protection in these two categories, so adding aftermarket window tint may bring a more limited improvement than one would expect.

During a recent extended drive of a TX, I noticed the door glass to remain cooler than I would expect. The data collected by the clublexus user seems to validate the accuracy of the data.

Perhaps the upcharge for high-end ceramic window tint is no longer worthwhile on some vehicles?

It's perhaps less valuable if you bought a car using exotic premium glass.

Most cars I think will still benefit.

After seeing what Toyota built in the late 2000-2009 period and how the dashes melted into goo, I'd expect them to have learned a thing or two about UV degradation, elastomers, plastics, and high temperature-- and how to mitigate issues.