Glass and UV protection

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 17:12
ThreadID: 41316 Views:2695 Replies:3 FollowUps:2
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Our front windscreens have some UV protection built into them. Does anyone know how much protection do they offer and what about the side windows. Assuming they are untinted, do they provide any protection. Do the factory fitted tints do the same thing?
I can't recall getting sunburnt through the glass for a while so have things changed?

Cheers

Des
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Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 18:30

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 18:30
Not sure on the uv rays but there is definitely a difference. My old lux doesn't have that green tinge to it that most of the later model cars have so made a huge difference when I had it tinted. In saying that the commodore that we had (01 model)and the toyota we just bought (06 model) I had the commodore tinted by my mate and still noticed the difference again definitely stopped more heat, as before I would put my arm against the window and could feel the sun but after adding additional tint couldn't actually feel the suns rays on my arm. I know with polarized sunnies that when I looked out the window without tint it was clear but with the added tint I got like a rainbow effect looking through the windows this was due to the car being tinted with a metal tint not a dyed tint (the ones that go purple). As far as the uv rays go I would imagine there would be some form of protection. Good question though will ask my mate who does windscreen repairs tomorrow for curiosity and let you know. Regards Steve M
AnswerID: 215962

Reply By: Kiwi Kia - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 19:08

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 19:08
There are two types of UV, long wave and short wave. I think it is the long wave that is stopped by ordinary glass but the short wave that does most of the burning damage requires a special filter. Short wave UV lamps are very expensive as they need a special type of quartz glass to allow passage of the uv light.
AnswerID: 215975

Reply By: Member - John R (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 20:44

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 20:44
Gidday Des,

Unless the manufacturer's logo has a UV symbol incorporated it's unlikely you'll get any protection. The windscreen on my car doesn't have any protection, and I get burnt hands through the front screen. The sides have a UV symbol, and although I get less burned I still get burned just the same through the sides. So, although modern glass does provide a small amount of protection I would still go for a specific short wave UV blocking tint.

Stephen, the rainbow effect you get is caused by something in the film's composition which also polarises the light coming into your vehicle.
AnswerID: 216003

Follow Up By: Member - John R (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 20:46

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 20:46
Sorry folks,
when I wrote manufacturer's logo, I meant the logo that's etched into the lower corner of the glass.
The same one that has the ASA approval/licence number. :-)
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FollowupID: 476300

Follow Up By: Member - eerfree(QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 22:49

Wednesday, Jan 17, 2007 at 22:49
I am with John on this one, I have the heaviest legal tint on all windows except the front windshield and I find that I still need to wear a Cancer Council UV sleeve on my right arm to prevent burning. I have had lots of sunspots removed from my right arm and my wife gets them removed from her left arm, logical I guess....I will add for the younger brigade.....It may not have happened yet but it will happen!!!!!

eerfree
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FollowupID: 476346

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