WINDOW TINTING

Window tinting refers to the process of applying a thin laminate film to a vehicle’s glass to darken it.

There are several benefits to tinting the windows of your vehicle. These include:

1. Privacy or security - Tinted windows make it harder for people to see who or even how many people are in a vehicle - very important if you are a rock star! More importantly, darkened windows may also hide or obscure valuables left in your car and make it harder to break the windows, deterring thieves.

2. Safety - Window tint film can actually help hold shattered glass in place.

3. Reduction of the damage caused to a vehicle’s interior by UV rays – Tinted windows preserve and prevent the fading of carpets and upholstery, leather cracking and plastics degradation.

4. Protection of occupants from UV rays, including UVA - These rays are responsible for causing skin cancer, and tinted windows greatly reduce their impact.

5. Reduction of solar gain (interior heat) - This incrementally improves the fuel economy of your car.

6. Less glare from the sun.

7. Aesthetics - Window tint film looks good and can enhance the value of your vehicle.

While these are the most expensive type of tint films, they are also the most effective. This efficacy is because ceramic tints do not contain any dye or metal particles. Instead, they utilise non-conductive ceramic micro-particles.  

These particles effectively block UV rays without blocking cell or radio signals (be careful of metallised tints, they may reduce cell phone reception inside your vehicle). They boast up to a 99% reduction, ensuring the safety and preservation of your vehicle’s upholstery.  

Ceramic tints also have the unbelievable ability to reduce glare, possess immense strength and shatter resistance, and don’t scratch as easily.

The amount of light that a tint lets into a vehicle’s interior also affects how well you can see out and is referred to as Visible Light Transmission, or VLT. The smaller the VLT percentage the darker the tint, as shown in the illustration.

Net VLT (Visible Light Transmission) is a very common term in automotive tint laws. The "NET" portion refers to the combination of both glass and film, and not just the film alone. Automotive glass usually contains some level of factory tinting. Most automotive glass is in the range of 70% - 85% light transmission. 

For our purposes, where we refer to VLT we mean Net VLT.

In New Zealand, the following window tint darknesses are permitted:

• Windscreen: No tint except for an anti-glare band of no less than 35% VLT across the top. Such anti-glare bands must extend no further down the windscreen than the bottom of the sun visors when folded against the windscreen.
• Side Windows: 
  • Front side windows: minimum 35% VLT allowed
  • Other side windows: minimum 35% VLT allowed for passenger vehicles, any percentage for others.
• Rear window: Minimum 35% VLT allowed for passenger vehicles, any percentage for others.

Be warned, if you choose to put tints of less than 35% VLT on your vehicle where not permitted, you risk having it ‘pink stickered’ by police as well as failing the vehicle’s next WOF.