Protective coat on windscreen on E46

C

CricketWee

Active Member
Hi guys,

I'm intending to install solar film on my E46. But was told that our beemers have got a UV protective coat on it already out of the factory. Went to the vKool (www.v-kool.com) and their website also says that companies (incl. BMW) already have solar films installed.

Anyone knows this for a fact?! If so, would any one know the specs for this?

Cheers,
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

Hi criketwee,

I'm told (by my salesperson) that bmw is tinted but in terms of uv and ir rejections, it's not as comprehensive as what are offered by solar films. And some BMW dealers in europe further tint the cars with brands of solar films (such as vcool) but not in sg. I think that's what the vcool website meant. Anyway i'm planing to vcool my car when i get it.
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

mulberri said:
Hi criketwee,

I'm told (by my salesperson) that bmw is tinted but in terms of uv and ir rejections, it's not as comprehensive as what are offered by solar films. And some BMW dealers in europe further tint the cars with brands of solar films (such as vcool) but not in sg. I think that's what the vcool website meant. Anyway i'm planing to vcool my car when i get it.
Click to expand...

Can try the 3M ones.
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

mulberri,

Yeah... I heard the same too. Wonder what the UV & IR rejection is like. When you do vKool your ride, do let us know where and how much you did it for. ;)

oneHeadlight,

Did you use the 3M ones? Any comments? Was recommended that by a dealer once. But didn't really think much of it coz I couldn't find the UV & IR rejection specifications on the brochure I was given.

Cheers,
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

CricketWee said:
mulberri,

Yeah... I heard the same too. Wonder what the UV & IR rejection is like. When you do vKool your ride, do let us know where and how much you did it for. ;)

oneHeadlight,

Did you use the 3M ones? Any comments? Was recommended that by a dealer once. But didn't really think much of it coz I couldn't find the UV & IR rejection specifications on the brochure I was given.

Cheers,
Click to expand...
vCool is one well-known player in this field (at least to me).
But I'm not sure whether this will affect the warranty on the windows.
You know, bmw damn particular about after-market products.
You add something, they blame it on you.
:|
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

seven_heaven said:
vCool is one well-known player in this field (at least to me).
But I'm not sure whether this will affect the warranty on the windows.
You know, bmw damn particular about after-market products.
You add something, they blame it on you.
:|
Click to expand...

huh? i'm quite anal about my warranty too but i think that's a bit extreme right?
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

Hey... anybody also experience a degredation of radio reception after putting on the solar film (any brand)? I'm asking only because I know that the antenna is integrated with the demister at the back windscreen.
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

I use HuperOptik. The maximum tint allowed by LTA. I think they call it Ceramic Plus. ($700) It should not affect radio signal since the layer is pasted on the inside, hence the radio antenna remains facing the exterior of the car. On the other hand, VKool uses a metalic compound and it hinders radio signal. It is true that VKool guys have to cut a small rectangular hole above the ERP unit otherwise the ERP gantry will not sense your cashcard data. I also read somewhere that metalic compound reacts with the atmosphere and will oxidize after a few years, making it more yellowish looking.
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

Hi MapleLeaf,

You must be kidding! That means that all those chaps that installed vKool now have a cut-out portion on the front wind screen for the IU? Wouldn't these guys have said no to this and go install some other brands that don't have this requirement?
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

Alright I have installed vcool for 4 days now, overall i'm very satisfied, the color looks good and it does keep the heat from "stinging" your body. My package cost 950, the IU cut out is true, but it is tiny and within the IU itself, maybe 3 by 2 cm (just the tiny part where it receives signals) so i didn't even realize it until i peered closely. It is not visible at all from inside the car and no way is it visible from outside unless you peer like 2 cm away from it and conciously look for it. I think vcool used to cut out the size of the IU before but it doesn't work that well now. The cut out, vcool claims, is because as opposed to other solar films it reflects rays instead of absorbing it, making it more efficient. When solar films absorb, they too can absorb (or let though) the erp signals, which is why there is no need for cut outs. I think this is in the website.

Hope this helps cricketwee :)
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

Good ovservation, Mulberri. I opted for Huper Optik. Had the Ceramic Plus package. Let's do some analysis 6 months down the road. Then we can provide some feedback to others.
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

Hi guys,

I've still been procrastinating with my solar film and I think it's time I get off my :shakebon:!

Stumbled on my old post and read to see if any one added to it. Guess what! It's been six months. Any comments from any one who has put in their solar films for at least 6 months?

Cheers,
 
Re: Protective coat on windscreen on E46

It's been about a year since I had it. My car is usually in the shade, hence it's impact was not fet. However, in the last few days of the Chinese New YEar, my car was indeed left under the hot sun for many hours. Each time I got back, I noticed that it was not as hot as I dreaded. I just came back from a trip to the zoo, and I really appreciated the HO coating. It's cooler.

also, I used to need sunglasses when driving. I don't need that now. IT has cut off a lot of glare.

Never regretted the money spent. So far, no popping up or anything.
 
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