New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

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New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

May 30, 2012, 10:49:10 pm

We had the all the windows tinted. We had a dark heat blocking on all the side windows, but legal on the driver and passenger side windows. But the best part was the new windshield tinting.

They used a Wincos product that blocks 92% of the heat and IR, and 99.0 UV. The demo heat lamp and three types of tint is amazing. They showed a typical dark tint, the new 3M front window film, and the latest Wincos product on a sliding glass. You hold your hand under a lamp, and feel the heat, and slide the samples back and forth.

The tint is like the new Mercedes windshield glass color. They installed the almost totally clear film, and then I had a 10" header added across the top to kill the sun in my eyes. The Wincos product is 92% heat blocking, no matter what level of tint color you might choose.

Link: Houston Car Tint, Auto Tinting, Car Window Tinting Houston, Car Window Tint,

After the install we drove west in the afternoon sun, and we are amazed how different the front seats and dash feel with full sun thru the windshield. In addition the tint company patterned the windshields and are going to send the shape to the software cutting company for others to use on Grand Villas. They pattern the windows on the outside, cut, shrink and smooth to fit. Then they move the film inside, peel the backing, and float onto the windows.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #1 – May 31, 2012, 07:24:52 am

How easy is it to scratch your film?

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #2 – May 31, 2012, 09:28:33 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – May 31, 2012, 07:24:52 am

How easy is it to scratch your film?

Had it a day, but know that you can scratch anything. Someone scratched almost all the glass in the past on this coach taking off film. We did not know till we removed the last film. The tint company pointed out the existing damage before beginning yesterday. But as the old film was scratched, had some finger nail snags and was wavy, the new is all better.

As to the new film, time will tell. The coach looks so much better with the dark windows. We have a level of privacy when you look at the coach, till of course we use interior lighting. The huge difference is the lack of solar heat gain with the 92% blocking, from 700 to over 2400 in the IR light spectrum . The new 3M blocks 99.? but only in the 900 to 1000 IR spectrum.

Amazing feature is Wincos has a selections of film from almost clear to very dark, blocking 99% of UV.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #3 – May 31, 2012, 09:56:41 am

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – May 31, 2012, 09:28:33 am

Amazing feature is Wincos has a selections of film from almost clear to very dark, blocking 99% of UV.

I'll have to keep that upgrade in mind. Sue and I were taking a break in the coach last weekend (after the 3-hour alternator-ectomy) and noticed that in the 85-degree direct sun the coach was actually comfortable inside. No fan going or anything (the batteries were completely disconnected). Since we bought the coach in the winter (late November) we had no idea how it would be sitting in the sun. There is some tinting on the pilot and co-pilot windows but not a lot elsewhere. The SUV, in stark contrast, was an oven even with the windows open. Nice to know.

Really enjoy reading about your upgrades and fixes.

Craig

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #4 – May 31, 2012, 07:13:49 pm

Dave- Wincos has the variety of film- if you opted for clear, does it have the same heat reflecting properties?

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #5 – May 31, 2012, 07:26:54 pm

Quote from: erniee – May 31, 2012, 07:13:49 pm

Dave- Wincos has the variety of film- if you opted for clear, does it have the same heat reflecting properties?

They show the results on the sample info, and it is amazing to feel nearly clear film stop the heat. Dealer showed the website results, have not been to the site.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #6 – June 01, 2012, 02:50:35 pm

Does anyone have a link to this Winco product? I tried to find it on the Internet but couldn't. Sears has a window film that seems to be similar but it's hard to tell.

Craig

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #7 – June 01, 2012, 03:04:06 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – June 01, 2012, 02:50:35 pm

Does anyone have a link to this Winco product? I tried to find it on the Internet but couldn't.

There's a link in Dave and Dolly's post (the product is Wincos, not Winco)

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – May 30, 2012, 10:49:10 pm

Website if you care:
Houston Car Tint, Auto Tinting, Car Window Tinting Houston, Car Window Tint,

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #8 – June 01, 2012, 03:14:12 pm

Thanks... I missed that link. I wonder if there is any difference between that product and one offered by Sears which says that it blocks "up to 99%" of UV. The Sears product is pretty well priced.

Clear UV Protection Window Film 60" Wide x 1yd. Sold by the yard as one

Craig

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #9 – June 01, 2012, 09:56:06 pm

Sorry about the product name. Link: Houston Car Tint, Auto Tinting, Car Window Tinting Houston, Car Window Tint,

Sorry for the link confusion, if you click you go to Wincos, but there is no way for me to get the short link name to appear in this thread. Follow and you will get a very nice and complete site.

As to the Sears film, there is no mention of the IR rating. See the UV rating, but heat is IR, and the film is said to block 92% of the heat. That is what we really need in TX. The amazing difference while headed into the sun Wed. thru the sloped windows.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #10 – April 05, 2014, 10:06:11 am

Dave/Dolly, did they apply the tint to the inside, or the outside of the dual pane windows?

And did you only get the Wincos product applied to the front windshield? Or to all the windows?

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #11 – April 05, 2014, 10:16:07 am

Quote from: tothetrail – April 05, 2014, 10:06:11 am

Dave/Dolly, did they apply the tint to the inside, or the outside of the dual pane windows?

And did you only get the Wincos product applied to the front windshield? Or to all the windows?

Our U225 had single pane windows and tint was applied to the inside.

I was told that there is a dual pane tint. But know nothing more about it. The installer was telling me how he had done several hundred thousand dollars of dual pane tinting in a newly built building when the out of state architect did not spec. windows for the Texas sun issues.
He also did all the windows facing a 6 story atrium after someone's desk chair banged a window and the glass rained down into the lobby. There they installed a film to bond the glass to the surrounding frames. Other films are used to kill sound, and to make the window shatter proof. Who knew there were so many options?

We had the clear tint only on the windshields. It is more expensive per square foot and there are other options for side windows per the installer we used. So I had two different brands, and warrantees for the U225.

We have not tinted the U295 dual panes yet. But our coach had new MCD shades on all the side window when we bought it. After several weeks in July on the TX coast, I doubt that we need dual window tinting.

I would do tinting again on a U225 the first week I got another. I would do front windshields as well on any coach I were to buy. The difference in cutting down on the solar gain is huge.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #12 – April 05, 2014, 11:22:41 am

What do you think it would cost me to have the clear IR film put on the windshields and the little driver / passenger side windows? I don't think I'm gonna do the big side windows because they have awnings over them and drapes inside. I like to leave the windshield drapes open and sit in the copilot seat for the view. It's the best seat in the house.

...You bought the side entry coach too didn't you? I wouldn't want a front entry coach because I enjoy the copilot seat too much.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #13 – April 05, 2014, 11:29:47 am

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – April 05, 2014, 10:16:07 am

Our U225 had single pane windows and tint was applied to the inside.

We had the clear tint only on the windshields. It is more expensive per square foot and there are other options for side windows per the installer we used. So I had two different brands, and warrantees for the U225.

We have not tinted the U295 dual panes yet. But our coach had new MCD shades on all the side window when we bought it. After several weeks in July on the TX coast, I doubt that we need dual window tinting.

I would do tinting again on a U225 the first week I got another. I would do front windshields as well on any coach I were to buy. The difference in cutting down on the solar gain is huge.

Thanks for all the good info.

Anyone else have any experience with getting dual pane windows tinted? I'm mostly interested in the daytime privacy benefits of the tint for the side windows. While tinting the inside would be the best for preserving the integrity of the tint, I've read about how the heat build up in between the panes can be too high when it's applied to the inside.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #14 – April 05, 2014, 11:55:29 am

I don't have a GV windshield price break down, but my entire U225 was $700 in 2012. We loved the day time privacy with the darken window tint.

My U295 windshields only, but with much taller windows was $450 in 2013 when done the same day Bill Chaplin had his U300 done at his warehouse we share.

And I understand the dual pane tint has to be different, as tothetrail mentioned because of the heat between the glass issues. Not sure what tinting might do to make the seal creep or seal snake issues worst on our dual pane windows.

I am in the home window replacement business. The glass suppliers have many choices of films and coatings available to offer in today's market. New coating do amazing job of stopping solar gains, sound, and privacy.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #15 – April 05, 2014, 12:15:52 pm

I wasn't aware the film was so expensive... Maybe I'll reconsider those exterior windshield covers? At least that way I won't lose my investment every time I get a rock in my windshield... Also I'll be able to leave the cover off in the winter and park facing southeast to get free solar heat on cold mornings... hmmm... (wittle bwain working hard)

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #16 – April 05, 2014, 04:11:55 pm

After rereading some posts on here about the external windshield covers I think perhaps the infrared film really is the best solution for me, even though it's a lot more expensive. I'm on the road a couple of times a week and I can't see myself constantly climbing way up to the top of my U300's windshield to take the cover on and off before I hit the road each time. I think that would get kinda old. The film would be good when I'm driving as well as when I'm camped somewhere, and it won't affect my view. The exterior cover would probably darken my view. The best parts of owning a motor coach are the freedom to constantly move to new beautiful locations and of course to enjoy the view while you're there, so I guess the IR film really is the best solution... Has there been a discussion on here comparing the advantages / disadvantages of the exterior windshield cover to the IR windshield film? Should there be or are they so different that it's not even worth comparing?

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #17 – April 05, 2014, 04:26:26 pm

Quote from: RRadio – April 05, 2014, 04:11:55 pm

Has there been a discussion on here comparing the advantages / disadvantages of the exterior windshield cover to the IR windshield film? Should there be or are they so different that it's not even worth comparing?

The one difference I can think of, is that the external cover provides some degree of daytime privacy, while still being able to see out. Whereas the IR tint mainly protects from the damaging heat and light, while remaining clear.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #18 – April 05, 2014, 04:52:33 pm

I wonder if the film on the windshield is legal in California. My understanding was that no film, no matter how narrow no matter how clear is legal on the windshield here.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #19 – April 05, 2014, 05:46:15 pm

In California:

26708 (c) transparent material may be
installed, affixed, or applied to the topmost portion of the
windshield if the following conditions apply:
(1) The bottom edge of the material is at least 29 inches above
the undepressed driver's seat when measured from a point five inches
in front of the bottom of the backrest with the driver's seat in its
rearmost and lowermost position with the vehicle on a level surface.
(2) The material is not red or amber in color.
(3) There is no opaque lettering on the material and any other
lettering does not affect primary colors or distort vision through
the windshield.
(4) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into
the eyes of occupants of oncoming or following vehicles to any
greater extent than the windshield without the material.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #20 – April 05, 2014, 07:05:56 pm

Before tinting, I would usually rush to install the outside window screens, for the solar, and later the daytime privacy. With the tint, I often skip doing it at all on short stays. I also drive the coach at my summer place from the parking space a short distance in the private compound to the dump station, with the windshield screen in place without any problems.

We have to love the laws protecting us from ourselves. I am yet to have anyone notice that the fronts are tinted with a film. Technology has move forward from the days the tint laws seemed to have been written. I wonder why no clear film would be allowed, it is not a tint? I remember reading in order to drive a horseless carriage on public roadway, one was required to send ahead on foot someone to warn people.

As to the costs, I spend more per year at my dermatologist due to my life long sun exposure damage than to tint the windshield. Maybe the new ACA might require all windows be tinted in the near future.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #21 – April 05, 2014, 11:03:40 pm

Darker side windows are a popular choice. But consider that tint helps with bright sun, but makes the coach darker inside when the sun is not strong, evenings, etc. We can find different things to temporarily reduce sun brightness, but there is no temporary way to lighten up the inside when we don't need our dark tint. Not to mention how colored tint changes how the world looks when looking out through our windows.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #22 – April 06, 2014, 12:04:32 pm

3M™ Crystalline Automotive Films
Crystalline Brochure

Windshield, Passenger & Driver side windows done last summer. One of the best things I have done to our GV. I don't have to have sunglasses on when driving and the dash port is cool to the touch.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #23 – April 06, 2014, 02:08:19 pm

Quote from: propman – April 06, 2014, 12:04:32 pm

http://3M™ Crystalline Automotive Films
http://Crystalline Brochure

Windshield, Passenger & Driver side windows done last summer. One of the best things I have done to our GV. I don't have to have sunglasses on when driving and the dash port is cool to the touch.

I was in Al's (propman) coach on a hot, sunny summer day. The difference in heat transmitted through windows with/without the film was remarkable. The film added no tint to the window.

Re: New window film (was Re: What did you do to your coach today)

Reply #24 – April 06, 2014, 06:29:03 pm

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – April 05, 2014, 07:05:56 pm

We have to love the laws protecting us from ourselves. I am yet to have anyone notice that the fronts are tinted with a film. Technology has move forward from the days the tint laws seemed to have been written. I wonder why no clear film would be allowed, it is not a tint?

A CHP officer once explained to me that the purpose was safety: Side windows in vehicles are tempered to break into a million pieces. The film keeps those pieces together to a certain degree - increasing possible occupant injury. Film on the front windshield never came up because I don't think it was ever done back then when I discussed this with him. New thermal (clear) tints seemed to have changed that. Since front windshields are much different from side windows and are supposed to hold together (to help hold occupants inside the car in a accident) I don't know what harm a film would do - it might even help.

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