Torque Shop: Car window tinting tips
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A vehicle inspector using a tint meter to measure the amount of light passing through a car window.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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What should I look out for when shopping for window tinting films for my car?
While window films tend to carry a darker tint, changing the look of the car is not the sole purpose of installing them. Cutting glare from the sun is one reason, and a good window film can help keep the cabin cooler. This in turn helps the air-conditioning system to work better.
The clarity of the film is crucial because you want to ensure that the view out of the window is not fuzzy or distorted. But the film can become less clear with age. If the film has been on the car for years, removal can be tricky as the adhesive may damage the demister wires on the rear windscreen.
The workmanship of the installer is important as the films are cut by hand to fit the car. Ask to see the finished work of the installer, paying close attention to how the film fits at the edges.
Normally, the film will need time to cure fully before the windows can be rolled down. This can take 24 hours or longer.
Car window tinting is allowed in Singapore if it meets stipulated light transmission standards – at least 70 per cent for the front windscreen and the two front side windows.
In addition, the front windscreen must allow the in-vehicle unit to function when the car is driven past Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries.
The film on the rear windscreen and the two rear side windows can be darker, allowing light transmission of at least 25 per cent.
Firms that offer window tinting services usually have the necessary equipment to ensure that their products comply with regulations. The level of light transmission is also checked during the periodic vehicle inspections.
In case there are discrepancies in the accuracy of the testing equipment, it is advisable not to opt for films that are right at the threshold of the regulations.
Car modifications that flout the rules can result in the owner or workshops being fined up to $5,000, jailed up to three months, or both. The penalties for repeat offenders are doubled.
