UV window tint

[Jklotz]

My salon has a lot of windows. In full sunlight, it can be blinding. Thinking about installing some UV tint. Is it the same stuff they put in cars or is there a marine grade material that I should look into? Possible to DIY without having it look like the work of a 3rd grader?

 

[Delta Riverat]

I'm thinking it would be a lot easier than car windows if your boat is like mine, ie no curved glass. I'm thinking of the plastic film stuff that sticks on with that soapy water stuff that comes with the kit.

I dunno, have a go at it and if it sucks you can always peel it off with a razor blade and hire a pro -

 

[ranger58sb]

My salon has a lot of windows. In full sunlight, it can be blinding. Thinking about installing some UV tint. Is it the same stuff they put in cars or is there a marine grade material that I should look into? Possible to DIY without having it look like the work of a 3rd grader?

Apparently not always same as car tint. Latter might usually be more of a privacy thing. I think that's what some PO had installed over our front windshield, made everything outside look purple, didn't do squat for heat.

We had that removed, and replaced with 3m Prestige 50... and then used Prestige 60 on our saloon cockpit door system. Both UV/IR tints, former lets 50% of natural light through, latter 60%. Windshield tinting makes a good temp difference, even though still competes with Hades sometimes. (Installer said they couldn't use heavier tinting (Prestige 40, etc.) due to potential glass failure from heat absorption.) Can't actually tell our windows are tinted.

-Chris

 

[TBill36]

"due to potential glass failure from heat absorption."
Does uv reflective film cause the window to heat up causing potential seal problems?

 

[ranger58sb]

Don't know. Haven't had any seal problems. They only mentioned the potential glass issue.

-Chris

 

[heysteve]

I have heard there is a difference in tint limits and types based on whether your glass is tempered or laminated. Definitely worth investigating. Please let us know what you find out.

 

[Comodave]

I prefer not to tint windows since it can impair night vision. Instead I make external covers out of Stamoid white. Snap them on during the day and remove them if you are getting underway. It also makes a huge difference in temperature when the sun is out. There are 2 weights of Stamoid, coated on the inside or not coated. The uncoated will let more light in.

 

[Jklotz]

I prefer not to tint windows since it can impair night vision. Instead I make external covers out of Stamoid white. Snap them on during the day and remove them if you are getting underway. It also makes a huge difference in temperature when the sun is out. There are 2 weights of Stamoid, coated on the inside or not coated. The uncoated will let more light in.

That makes sense. In my case, I'm not doing the pilot house, just the salon.

My boat came with some sort of tint already installed in the pilot house. It's not very dark, just enough to cut down the glare. I wish they had done the salon too. Then this thread wouldn't exist.

 

[ranger58sb]

I prefer not to tint windows since it can impair night vision.

Can't imagine the tint we used impacting night vision. Can't hardly tell it's there...

Then too, ours is just cabin (dinette/galley area), no lower helm.

-Chris

 

[BroadCove]

I used the 3M film on the boat in my avatar and prior boat (Halvorsen GC 32), professionally installed. Wasn't inexpensive, think $3k for the Halvorsen and don't recall but more for the GB 47. That said, it made a noticeable difference in terms of heat. I had external covers on the Halvorsen and high quality cellular shades on the GB, but when you're on the boat for long periods (i.e., months at a time), you want to see the view. So the coating was useful from my vantage.

 

[healhustler]

I also used the 3M Prestige 50 on my pilothouse, as you can see it may as well be a greenhouse. On a 90 degree day, it averages 9-12 degree difference over just a 20% tint ordered with new windows. Water glare is suppressed greatly. Not cheap but a good investment for your eyes and skin. Air conditioning the pilothouse takes a lot less BTUs.

 

[Takoradi]

My salon has a lot of windows. In full sunlight, it can be blinding. Thinking about installing some UV tint. Is it the same stuff they put in cars or is there a marine grade material that I should look into? Possible to DIY without having it look like the work of a 3rd grader?

Have successfully installed auto window tinting on my Uniflite 42 but removed it after just a few months. It did provide some cooling but made the cabin dreary. Not to mention the birds lining up on the rail to admire their reflection and of course leave mementos of their visit.

Tak

 

[Turtle Blues]

Plus 1 on the external covering.
I use a solid fabric during the summer and a 60% all year. The forward glass has a tint film on the inside. It lessens the light but still allows a massive heat transfer. Breaking that on the exterior of the glass greatly lessens the heat load on the AC.
Also had the problem with a flock of swallows. Solar powered laser and ultrasonic chirp box from Amazon solved that quick enough that the neighbors noticed but didn't complain.

 

[Takoradi]

Do you have the Amazon link to the. Laser/chirp device?

 

[Turtle Blues]

Sorry I don't, it was given to me.
Just went to look and all I see now are led based.

 

[North Baltic sea]

Hi, i have Removable curtains with suction cups for windows if needed. Quick to put in place or take out, takes up little space with roller mechanism. It's nice when they don't black out constantly vs the film.

 

[North Baltic sea]

 

[TStiles]

Take a serious look at 3M's Cristalline option. I had it installed on all windows on a Camano 31 and the result was incredible. Cooler in the summer and warmer off season. It wasn't cheap, however if you're looking for a solution without compromise, you might want to give it a look. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00016683/

 

[tomdove]

My salon has a lot of windows. In full sunlight, it can be blinding. Thinking about installing some UV tint. Is it the same stuff they put in cars or is there a marine grade material that I should look into? Possible to DIY without having it look like the work of a 3rd grader?

This won't help you on the other coast but for cruisers in the Annapolis/mid-Chesapeake Bay area, I have had excellent results with house window film installation from Advanced Window Technology. Joey Sudo does boats as well and is very knowlegeable about all the different types of films. ‭(410) 757-5100‬. Usual disclaimer: I'm just a satisfied customer with no financial interest in his business.

 

[Bmarler]

I’ve got heat control film that roll up like the old roller shades. It’s fantastic at reducing the indoor temperature. You feel an immediate reduction in radiated heat as soon as they’re pulled down. They aren’t fancy, but they function well.

 

[Jklotz]

I had some guys from a local company come out and give me a quote. They recommended LLumar ILX 30, and even took me to another boat that had it so I could see what it looked like installed. It looked pretty good to me, and there was a noticeable heat reduction, so I'm moving forward with it. Will let you know how it turns out.

Left side tinted, right non:

 

[Jklotz]

Man, it's so much more comfortable, and cooler, in here now. My only regret is not having done it sooner!

 

[Frosty]

I would be interested to hear how it is at night, when underway. No rush, but it's something I've wondered -- does it have any effect.

 

[Jklotz]

I would be interested to hear how it is at night, when underway. No rush, but it's something I've wondered -- does it have any effect.

I'll let you know tonight, but I only went with a 30% tint, so it's not all that dark, just enough to take the edge off. Underway, doesn't really matter, in my case, as the pilot house doesn't really have a view behind anyway, other than a camera mounted up on the mast (I didn't do the pilot house, just salon), and if it's nice out, I'm usually up on the fly bridge.

 

[Frosty]

Thanks! I was wondering about two things: Do you lose "clearness" at night, and.... does it somehow increase the glare or reduce sharpness of lights (of other vessels, ATONs, or something outside the boat).

I hear you that these aren't windows you'd be piloting through, but say if you were trying to.

 

[ranger58sb]

Thanks! I was wondering about two things: Do you lose "clearness" at night, and.... does it somehow increase the glare or reduce sharpness of lights (of other vessels, ATONs, or something outside the boat).

I hear you that these aren't windows you'd be piloting through, but say if you were trying to.

FWIW, ours (mentioned above) do not lose clarity, increase glare, or change our view of exterior lights. Just guessing, but the pics from @Jklotz Carol Ann look like they'd be similar...

The "car" (?) tint that was on the boat when we got it made everything outside look purple during daylight, graduating to "can't see out" as sunlight waned.

-Chris

 

[Jklotz]

Thanks! I was wondering about two things: Do you lose "clearness" at night, and.... does it somehow increase the glare or reduce sharpness of lights (of other vessels, ATONs, or something outside the boat).

I hear you that these aren't windows you'd be piloting through, but say if you were trying to.

Like I said, I'll let you know tonight about night vision. I don't think it will be a problem.

It absolutely cuts out glare, significantly. Next to us, in the marina, is a boat with a ton of shiny stainless steel bits. The sun bouncing off those things was like an icepick in my eye. I had to close my blinds during the day. Not anymore! Glare off the water is reduced as well. Things are more clear outside because I'm not blinded by the UV. The strain on my eyes is greatly reduced.

Keep in mind I only went 30%. Some guys use what I call "drug dealer" tint, the REALLY dark stuff. I think they go as dark as 60%. That'd be too much for me personally. Certainly wouldn't want that in my pilot house.

 

[rslifkin]

Tint is usually specified as a percentage of visible light transmission, or VLT. So 30% tint would be 30% VLT. 60% tint would actually be pretty light and depending on the situation might not even appear all that noticeably tinted (although it does make a difference). Drug dealer tint or limo tint is usually 5% or so.

 

[Frosty]

Thanks again. Oh, one more question: Any effects if you look through them with Polarized sunglasses?

Sorry for so many questions. It's something I've considered only I *would* be looking through it when underway.

 

[Jklotz]

Tint is usually specified as a percentage of visible light transmission, or VLT. So 30% tint would be 30% VLT. 60% tint would actually be pretty light and depending on the situation might not even appear all that noticeably tinted (although it does make a difference). Drug dealer tint or limo tint is usually 5% or so.

Ah, I stand corrected. Thanks, did not know that.