Tag: Windshield Treatment

What are the Auto Tint Laws in Washington State?

Posted on by Lucky Dog Auto
tinting car window

Tinting windows has a variety of benefits. By blocking the brunt of bright sunrays, drivers can protect their upholstery from sun bleaching, maintain a more comfortable temperature inside the vehicle with less stress to the air conditioning system, and shield car passengers from harmful UV rays. Darkening windows also leads to more privacy and security, preventing people from easily seeing inside the vehicle and finding valuables.

There are many reasons drivers choose to tint their car windows. Before you tint, be aware of any relevant laws. Auto tint laws vary from state to state, so it’s very important for drivers to be aware of these laws so they can ensure to follow the laws properly in their state.

How Much Tint Can Be Applied?

In Washington state, the maximum level of auto tint material to be applied to any window (except the windshield) must have a total reflectance of 35% or less, and a light transmission of 24% or more for sedans. For SUVs and vans there is no limit to the darkness of tint that can be applied to the rear side windows and back glass. If a car is operated by or carrying a passenger a person who has a written medical exemption from a licensed physician, then a higher degree of light reduction is allowed on all windows and the top 6 inches of the windshield. Car owners may apply a clear film to the windshield if the film reduces or eliminates UV light.

There are several types of tint that are not allowed in Washington state, including: black, gold, red, or yellow material; mirror finish products; or liquid tint that is sprayed or brushed onto the window. There may not be any more than a single sheet of sun screening material to any window.

Devices to diffuse sunlight may be applied to all windows behind the driver as long as the device 1) reduces the driver’s field of vision uniformly and 2) reduces vision by no more than 50%. If drivers place a sunscreen device on the rear window, the car must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.

These are the basics of window tint laws in Washington. Lucky Dog Auto Glass shares this information with our valued customers as a convenience, but we do not offer window tinting. We do offer auto glass repair and installation in Kent, Washington. Contact us today to make an appointment!

Safe for a Rainy Day: The Top Windshield Treatment for Your Vehicle

Posted on by Lucky Dog Auto

Do you ever struggle to see out your windshield when it’s raining? Maybe you’ve noticed that the morning fog and leftover road grit create a streaky sludge that even brand new wiper blades can’t keep up with? It can be a frustrating experience, but more importantly, it can be downright dangerous.

Land Rover Auto Glass

Though there are different types of window treatments on the market, only a glass coating engineered to bond with the silica in your windshield produces clear visibility through rain and mud. At Lucky Dog Auto Glass, we’ve had great results with what we consider the best product on the market, GlassParency.

The hydrophobic protection of GlassParency increases visibility in rain and snow. It improves the optical clarity of your windshield, reducing both night and daytime glare. In addition to keeping you and your passengers safer, it keeps the glass pristine and is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Other Alternatives

There are other types of treatments out there; although they work, their performance is much more limited. These are:

  • Silicone-based—This option is the cheapest but is least effective. It sits on the top of the surface. While it does repel water, it needs to be re-applied frequently, so it’s best in dryer regions, such as the Southwest. An example of this is Rain-X Yellow windshield treatment, which is specifically designed to work with the company’s windshield blades.
  • Fluorinated-based—A mid-range option that is best for areas where rainfall is average, such as the Midwest. Its signature feature is water beading, allowing water to easily roll off the glass. AQUAPEL is a good fluorinated-based treatment, and though it lasts longer than silicone-based products, it does not bond with the glass, allowing grit and grime to set up shop on your glass.

GlassParency works best because although your glass seems smooth, it’s actually filled with craters, hills, and valleys. We apply the treatment to your windshield in a three-step process. The first is to cleanse the pores and ensure the glass is free of contaminants to improve the bonding process. Next, we apply the first chemical, which reacts to the silica and grows a substrate within the pores of the glass. A second chemical then combines with the first to form a barrier that even bugs, dirt, and mud can’t stick to.

Better vision? A more aesthetically pleasing appearance? Lasting three years with just one application? No wonder we’re stoked to share this nano-technological advancement with you! When it comes to windshield treatment, repair, or replacement, there’s only one dog in Kent, and that’s Lucky Dog Auto Glass. Give us a call today at 253-569-9403.

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