Protect Yourself…And Your Vehicle…With Window Tint This Summer

This summer, millions of people will head outside to soak up the summer sun, and they will instinctively grab sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothing for their journey. Yet, these same people will climb into their vehicles completely unaware that daily driving creates the very same sun exposure they're trying to avoid outside. 

The OEM Window Protection Myth 

Many people may assume that their car came with “tint” directly from the dealership showroom floor. According to XPEL Product Manager Andrew Diggins, the reality is often far different.

"Most factory vehicles do not come with true heat-rejecting window tint," Diggins explains. "Some automakers will install privacy glass, mainly in the rear, but this is simply dyeing the glass during the manufacturing process to give it a darker appearance. Privacy glass provides little to no heat or UV rejection."Those dark rear windows on SUVs and sedans? “Purely cosmetic,” said Diggins.

This essentially makes vehicles that appear professionally tinted into “rolling greenhouses”, trapping heat and allowing dangerous radiation to penetrate the cabin unfiltered.

Direct Sunlight Creates Risks for You and Your Vehicle. 

During daily driving, vehicles without window protection create several challenges for both the driver and the vehicle. Three major challenges every driver should be aware of: 

• UVA and UVB Radiation Exposure. The most serious long-term risk involves ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. According to the American Cancer Society, prolonged UV exposure significantly increases skin cancer risk, accelerates skin aging, and can contribute to eye damage, including cataracts. "Stock windows without tint allow UV rays to enter the vehicle," Diggins notes. This exposure level exceeds what many people experience during outdoor activities. The risk proves particularly acute for professional drivers, daily commuters, and families with children who spend significant time in vehicles. A vehicle protected with window film will effectively eliminate this problem, rejecting 99% of harmful UVA and UVB radiation. 

• Excessive Heat and Energy Consumption. Without proper protection, a sitting vehicle can become a literal furnace that takes time and energy to cool down. The problem is caused by a different type of radiation: infrared. "People need to understand the different types of energy coming from the sun," Diggins explains. "UV radiation only takes up about three to five percent of solar energy. Infrared radiation (or IR energy) is the main culprit for the heat that you feel from sunlight." An unprotected car can both get hotter while sitting and take much longer to cool than one with adequate protection. 

Recent testing by automotive journalist Alanis King demonstrated this effect dramatically. Kings placed two identical Mazda Miata’s in the Texas sun for over two hours. The only difference? One Miata was protected with XPEL window film. The protected vehicle was consistently 10-15 degrees cooler than the unprotected vehicle. See the entire test HERE. For electric vehicle owners, this efficiency difference can directly impact range and battery life.

"If you are running your AC longer (to keep the vehicle cool), you are one hundred percent affecting that battery life of that vehicle," Diggins emphasizes 

• Glare and Visibility Issues. Bright sunlight often creates dangerous glare conditions. Morning and evening sun angles can also temporarily blind drivers, particularly in Western states and desert communities. An effective tint application can bring things into better focus. "It's almost like having a set of sunglasses on all the windows," Diggins says. This protection proves especially valuable for drivers who have an east/west route during their work or school commutes.

XPEL provides solutions for Window Tint at every Budget Level 

XPEL PRIME addresses summer protection needs through a comprehensive good-better-best approach, ensuring appropriate solutions for every budget and performance requirement. 

• Good: Dyed Window Tint. XPEL's entry-level CS line provides essential UV protection with privacy styling. These color-stable dyed films deliver 99% UV rejection with a rich black finish while offering meaningful heat reduction at an entry-level price point. The CS88 variant allows 88% visible light transmission, appearing nearly clear while maintaining full UV protection – ideal for drivers seeking health benefits without aesthetic changes.  

• Better: Metallic Window Tint. XPEL's HP line combines dyed and metallized layers for enhanced heat rejection and glare reduction. These films offer a solid step up in performance from dyed films without breaking the bank. Importantly, modern metallized technology eliminates electronic interference concerns. "Our HP line will not cause any (cellular or GPS) signal interference at all," Diggins confirms. 

• Best: Nano-Ceramic Window Tint. For drivers who demand premium performance, XPEL's XR line with nano-ceramic technology delivers even at very high visible light transmission (VLT) levels. The flagship product, PRIME XR PLUS 70 allows 70% visible light transmission, appearing virtually clear on the vehicle, while blocking 96% of infrared energy and 99% of UV rays. “You're getting the full protective benefits without changing the aesthetic of your vehicle,” says Diggins.