Date: Sat, 26 Aug 2000 11:06:13 -0600
Reply-To: Fred Brittain <vanpire@bibbs.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Fred Brittain <vanpire@bibbs.com>
Subject: Window tint and UV protection
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Greetings,
Just ran a short experiment using my two cars and some photosynthetic
beads I use to teach science. The beads change color when exposed to
UV light. The greater the amount of UV, the greater the color change.
We make bracelets at school and test our sunglasses, suntan lotion,
etc. for their ability to block UV (both A and B) rays.
My owners manual says my 89 Westy came with a 10% window tint. It
appears to be about that. The other car (variable) tested was a 94 GEO
Metro (it's ok to laugh) with no visible tint.
Control was the same beads were used for both cars. I put them in each
car in different places in case side windows and windshields had
different levels of screening.
It APPEARS both cars offer about the same level of protection. It
APPEARED the beads changed about halfway from white (no UV) to their
darkest colors (unrestricted UV). Of course, that's based on my
subjective opinion and my visual acuity. That is all _original_ glass
in my Westy gives a measure of protection. The windshield has been
replaced (SafeVue) and seems to offer little/none. I have read that
all modern auto glass offers UV protection. I guess my replacement
windshield can't be classified as modern.
This is a sixth grade level experiment, doesn't' really try to prove
anything, and was done just for fun. But, I'm convinced all auto glass
is not the same and if I ever have the extra cash to have tinting done
I'll certainly ask for a demonstration of its UV protection. I use eye
protecting sport shield glasses when bicycling. I've tested all tints
and can't tell any difference between clear and darker colors. In
their case, just being darker seems to make no difference in UV
filtration. Also, I would really like to have the windshield in my
Westy replaced with one that does give some protection (like about
100%).
I'm sure many on the list have real knowledge about UV rays and VW
glass. I'd like to know exactly how much is being filtered by our
original glass. Anyone really know?
regards,
Fred
89 Westy
