How to Prevent UV Damage With Window Tinting: Your Essential Guide
There are many benefits to getting your car windows tinted, but protecting your skin from UV damage is a major long-term benefit.
The sun is beating down. More than 2.1 million cases of skin cancer take place every year. For many people, this is all they know about UV damage.
Yet skin cancer is just one way UV rays can wreak havoc. They can damage your car, destroying its aesthetics and interior structures.
But how do UV rays cause so much damage? What are the different kinds of tinting you can get for your car? What can you do so your tints have maximum effectiveness?
Answer these questions and you can minimize the damage that UV rays cause on your body and car. Here is your quick guide.
How UV Rays Damage Your Car
The sun produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation every second. The atmosphere can deflect some UV rays away from the earth. The tilt of the earth can also diminish the power of some rays.
But UV rays have power as they strike your car. They can break down the chemical bonds inside objects, causing their colors to fade. Breaking down bonds can also make objects weaker, especially leather and fabric ones.
This is how UV rays cause skin damage. They break down bonds inside skin cells and corrupt the DNA in them. This can lead to abnormal skin cell growth, which contributes to tumors.
The exteriors of cars have many reflective surfaces. UV rays can bounce off of these surfaces and enter inside the car. This can cause damage in indirect or weak sunlight.
UV rays are also very hot. They can heat the interior of your car to extreme temperatures, melting plastic and warping fabric.
The Different Kinds of Auto Window Tinting
There are two main kinds of auto window tinting. Factory window tinting uses dyes and pigments that go into the raw materials in glass windows. You can find tinted glass in different colors, which can block UV rays and create a good look for your car.
Aftermarket window tinting uses plastic films. The films go over a car's windows after the car has been made. You should consider aftermarket tinting over factory tinting because you have a better range of options.
You can find several types of aftermarket tints. Dyed window tints are made with plastic and contain dark colors. But the tint can break down, especially if a person does not install it correctly.
Metalized window tints contain many layers of metallic particles. These particles reflect UV rays away from the vehicle while darkening the glass. They can make your car seem more metallic, and they may interfere with your electronics.
Hybrid window tints have traits of dyed and metalized tinting. They may contain metal particles inside plastic layers. This blocks UV rays without interfering with electronics, though hybrid tints are expensive.
You can also find carbon and ceramic window tints. They are of high quality, though they are the most expensive aftermarket products.
How to Install Window Tinting
You should spend some time considering your various options for tinting. Once you have found a product you like, you should install it as soon as possible.
You should hire a car window tinting company to help you. You should consider several qualities about different companies, including their warranty.
You can ask the company to install the tint over your windows. When you need to swap tints, you can ask them to make a replacement.
You should try to avoid installing tints yourself. If you must do so, clean your window and cut your tint to the right size. You can form a tight seal by using a hot air gun to push bubbles to the outer edge of your tint.
How to Drive and Park Your Car
Whenever possible, minimize your car's sun exposure. Avoid driving your car while the sun is high in the sky. Try to use public transportation when you need to travel around noontime.
If you do need to drive your car, plan a route where you will drive through a shaded area. Residential neighborhoods with many trees offer shaded streets. You can also drive through tunnels and downtown areas with tall buildings.
When you park your car, do so in a shaded area. An enclosed garage is your best location. When you need to park on the street, park beneath trees.
You should always park away from reflective surfaces. Glass and metal buildings can bounce UV rays into your car.
Additional Ways to Protect Yourself
You should wear layers whenever you are exposed to sunlight. Wear long sleeves and gloves to cover the exposed skin on your arms and hands. Wear a shirt with a long neck so you have less skin exposed on your neck.
If you are driving for long periods, wear some sunscreen. Try to find one with a high SPF rating.
You may want to put covers over your leather upholstery. A blanket or a coat can protect it from direct exposure to UV rays.
Check your leather to see if it is dry or needs oil. You can rub some oil into your leather after it suffers from UV or heat damage.
Fight Against UV Damage
UV damage can occur to your car and skin whenever the sun is out. UV rays break down bonds, which can cause damage to the skin and car parts.
You can choose a variety of tints, though most are aftermarket products. Consider your different options and touch base with a professional company for support.
Avoid exposure during daylight. Park your car in an enclosed or shaded area. Cover your skin and leather when you are driving.
Don't let the sun beat you into submission. Sunstopper Window Tinting serves the Brevard County area. Get your free estimate today.
