Window tinting questions, answered

In Victoria, the rules depend on which window is being tinted. For light vehicles:

• Front side windows (driver and front passenger) must have a visible light transmission of 35% or more.
• Windows behind the driver's seating position may be tinted to 20% VLT or more, provided the vehicle has a rear vision mirror fitted on each side.
• Vehicles designed for carrying goods, and light buses, have no minimum VLT for windows behind the driver's seating position, again provided a rear vision mirror is fitted on each side.
• Windows above the driver are exempt from minimum VLT requirements.
• Reflectance of any window fitted with film must not exceed 10%.

Every film we fit is matched to keep your vehicle inside these limits. These rules apply to light vehicles. Vehicles over 4.5 tonnes fall under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Not the main area of the glass. Windscreens must have a VLT of at least 70%, and film cannot be applied to a windscreen except for a band across the top.

That band may sit above the wiper arc area, or across the top 10% of the windscreen, whichever is greater, and may be less than 70% VLT. It must not cover any sensors or cameras mounted inside the glass — increasingly relevant on newer vehicles with driver assistance systems.

Windscreens darkened during manufacture are a separate case and are permitted.

Factory privacy glass, sometimes called body tinted glass, is usually marked TINTED, AS3 or V.

Two rules apply. If film is applied to a factory-tinted window, the resulting combined VLT must still meet the minimums above. And if a factory-tinted window is already below those minimums, no film may be applied to it at all — including films sold as "clear".

In practice this means matching front windows to darker factory rear glass usually isn't legal. Bring the car in and we'll measure it and tell you exactly what can be done.

Small cars 2–2.5 hours, sedans and SUVs 2–4 hours, larger vehicles 3+ hours. Includes cleaning the glass, cutting and applying the film, and finishing the edges.

Ceramic films use ceramic particles rather than dye or metal. They reject more heat, don't interfere with phone, GPS or radio signals, and hold their appearance longer.

We don't sell carbon film. Our automotive range is three tiers from Oz Window Tint, and the choice between them is about how much heat rejection you want, not about the film going cloudy or purple later — none of them do that.

Colour Stable is reliable everyday performance at an accessible price, with a colour-stable construction that will not fade. Nano Ceramic is the balanced choice for most drivers — ceramic construction, strong heat and UV performance, and signal-friendly. IR Xtreme is maximum performance, with the highest heat rejection in the range and exceptional optical clarity.

Performance figures for all three are on the automotive page. Tell us how you use the car and we will tell you which tier suits it.

Not with the films TN TINT uses. Ceramic films are metal-free and signal-friendly.

Quality film, fitted properly and cared for, lasts many years. Lifespan depends on the film, the climate and how the vehicle is looked after.

Our automotive films carry a limited lifetime warranty against colour fade, bubbling and peeling. Ask us about the warranty on your film.

Leave the windows up for at least three to five days after fitting. The film is applied wet and the adhesive needs time to bond to the glass. Winding a window down before it has cured can lift the edge of the film, and once that starts it doesn't fix itself.

Cold or humid weather slows curing, so give it longer in a Melbourne winter.

It's normal to see slight haziness or small water bubbles during this period. That's trapped moisture evaporating and it clears on its own. Don't press on it or try to squeeze it out — that turns a temporary curing effect into permanent damage.

We'll confirm the timing for your specific film when you collect the vehicle.

Two rules. No ammonia, and no abrasives.

Ammonia-based cleaners — which includes most supermarket glass cleaners — break down the adhesive and cause the film to discolour over time. Use an ammonia-free cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth. Spray onto the cloth rather than the glass, so liquid doesn't seep under the film edges.

Avoid razor blades, scouring pads and rough sponges on the tinted surface.

Leave the inside of the glass alone for the first couple of weeks while the film finishes curing. The outside can be cleaned normally at any time.

Yes. Removal is best done professionally — rear screens carry demister lines that can be damaged by DIY removal.

Yes. Residential and commercial window film reduces heat, glare and fading. Contact us for a measure and quote.

Unit 11, 140 Fairbank Road, Clayton South VIC 3169. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:00am – 5:00pm.