Types of Auto Tint

• Auto tint will protect your car's interior from sun damage. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Automotive window tint provides privacy for a vehicle's occupants and contents. The tint also provides interior protection from sun damage. The types of tint available range between reflective mirror surfaces, dark privacy tints and vividly colored graphics. Your state's or municipality's auto-tinting laws and your vehicle's window composition will determine what type of tint you should use.

Deposited Film

• Created though deposition technology, deposited film is the most inexpensive and widely used type of film. Deposited film is type of metal-based film. The film is created using metal properties such as copper, aluminum and nickel-chrome. The effectiveness of the film's performance depends on the thickness of the film coat. Large metal deposits produce a dark, mirrorlike surface. The mirror surface causes heat to be reflected before it can be transferred through the glass.

Dyed Tint

• Dyed tint is tint that has been dyed primarily to absorb heat. Deposition technology, sputtering technology, and heat dissipation are used to create dyed film. While designed to be used on the interior or the exterior, interior dyed film is the most popular. The reflective appearance results from the deposited layer of metallic particles on the film. Because the film is on the interior window, the trapped heat is stored in the glass. As the vehicle moves, external air moves the heat from the glass surface. Air flow is restricted in thermal glass. You should not use dyed film on those interior if your car's glass is thermal. Darker films are popular because they reflect the most heat and offers the most privacy, but states generally outlaw dark tint.

Graphic Tint

• Made to fit rear and side windows, Glasscapes-brand see-through window graphics give the illusion of a realistic graphic design. Graphic tint offers similar levels of privacy as other tint types. Protecting the interior contents from sun damage, graphic tint provides up to 75 percent of ultraviolet protection. The graphic tint is safe for rear windows with a rear defroster and rear wipers.

  Graphic tint is self-adhesive, so water is not needed to apply it to a window. The American flag, official sport graphics, military inspired graphics, landscapes, cars and bikes are some popular designs.

Hybrid Film

• A film that contains both reflective materials and dyes are considered hybrids. The negative effect of the dyes and metals are reduced when they are combined, but the performance of the film is compromised. For example, using dye alone produces a very dark film. Using a titanium coating alone produces a mirrored surface. Combining the two types of films produces a bright but nonreflecting film.