Are you thinking about finding a professional car window tinting service in Sydney? If your car’s interior is suffering at the hands of the Australian sun, then you’re probably doing the right thing. However, before you go rushing off to get the darkest most reflective tint you can find, there are some important things that you should know.
1. You Can’t Tint to Any Level You Want
The first and most important thing to remember when getting windows tinted in Australia is that you can’t just get the darkest and most reflective tinting films you want. There are rules that differ between every state and territory in Australia. If you break these rules, you will find yourself in violation of traffic laws.
In New South Wales, for instance, Highway Police Officers look out for this kind of thing and the fines go up to $84 for having tint beyond the legal limit. If that window tint were also found to be in conjunction with existing defect notices, then the fine could go up to $253.
The general rule of thumb is that window tinting is allowed to be darker in rear windows, but much less so in front windows, and even less so for the windscreen. The windscreen can usually only be tinted a very small amount from the top to prevent glare from the sun. The legal limits are designed to prevent loss of visibility, which in particular endangers other road users and especially pedestrians and cyclists.
2. They Help Keep Both Light and Heat Out, but Not Alone
You should be aware that window tinting is a way not just to keep light out of the car, but also heat. It’s an all-in-one solution to problems of overheating in your car. However, you should also know that they can’t do all of this alone. As we said above, the windscreen and front windows will be tinted much less, which means more light and heat getting in on that side.
Therefore, if you want to maximise protection from light and heat for your seating, dashboard and overall interior, then you’ll likely need to also purchase a sun shade or similar item to place in the windshield. When working together, the tinting and shades will help deliver better protective results.
3. They Can Even Bring Health Benefits
It’s not just the interior of your car that is protected by window tinting, but also the health of its passengers. If you regularly have your kids sitting in the rear seats of your car, then they benefit from greatly reduced exposure to UV radiation. Overexposure to UV radiation is known as a leading cause of skin cancer, skin damage, accelerated ageing and even cataracts in the eyes.
4. Think About a Budget
Consider how much you are willing to realistically spend on window tinting. Prices do vary, but you should be prepared to invest a little more to guarantee a quality application. Don’t be taken in by garages or other suppliers offering rock-bottom prices to secure your business and get the job done. It’s always best to favour quality rather than just a low price.
5. Listen to Advice About Post-Tint Care
You’ll need to take care of the window tinting film after it is applied. Steps like not going through an automatic car wash immediately after applying, nor opening and closing the rear windows, are important to ensure that the film stays even and well-applied. To disturb it after application could cause bubbling or peeling and then you might have to have the job done all over again.
6. Look for Experienced Providers
Finally, only deal with experienced providers. It doesn’t have to be their only service, but you should find applicators who make a point of promoting their skill and experience specifically in window tinting services. As we said before, even if it costs a little more, you’ll never regret working with an experienced operator.