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Window Film Manufacturers Move the Goal Posts”

Window Film Manufacturers Move the Goal Posts”

"Window Film Manufacturers Move the Goal Posts"

Klingshield Technical Department
Johannesburg South Africa June 2011

After decades of buying film from various manufacturers worldwide, certain situations come to mind when it comes to measuring the various specifications of films supplied by manufacturers.

Manufacturers often supply films with varied specifications as per their advertised specs. Visible light transmissions are slightly darker, infra red rejection is lower and in a few cases, even the ultra violet transmission is less than advertised.
When discussing these issues with manufacturers, claims are made that certain amounts of variation is acceptable within the industry and this is the reason why some films are not exactly to the specs stipulated on data sheets published by manufacturers.

In some instances, this can create a problem as in the auto tinting market certain visible light transmission laws have been passed worldwide, with the most popular being the 35% light transmission. Law authorities have done all their testing and in most cases, specified 35% as the legal limit.

This is where the problem comes in when manufacturers supply film with a 28% visible light transmission. However, their label specification system is inaccurate and in reality, becomes illegal as the film is too dark and not within the law. Window film distributors do not even realise that they are selling illegal film to their customers, who in turn are installing this film on motor cars.

Dealerships advertise legal window film. However in reality this is a misrepresentation. We cannot blame the dealerships for this and the distributors should be more aware of what they are selling and every master batch of film run and delivered should be measured by technical personnel to ensure the distributor is selling the film as advertised.
Klingshield’s technical department measure each and every roll to ensure that they are utilising and installing film as per specification.

It is important for distributors to bring these facts to the manufacturers attention. Manufacturers have got away with this for years and it is imperative for them to understand that window film gurus or specialists know their business and expect to receive what they pay for and to avoid problems occurring later which can be detrimental to an advertised brand in the future.

Recently a renowned window film manufacturer advertised a windscreen film which stops 91% of the infra red. The first batches coming from America did in fact offer this benefit. However, the goal post moved on later batches with the film only rejecting 86% of infra red. Although this is still an excellent performance, Klingshield feels that it should be the duty of the manufacturer to advise the distributor who in turn should advise the installer of the change in specifications.

Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact our Technical or Research and Development Department.

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