Myth or Bust: Tint shatters sun roof

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether tinting a sunroof can cause it to shatter. Participants explore various theories and anecdotal evidence regarding the effects of tint on sunroof integrity, considering both theoretical and experiential perspectives.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that tint may trap heat inside the sunroof glass, potentially leading to shattering due to excessive heat retention, especially when the shade is closed.
  • Others propose that the expansion and contraction of the sunroof glass due to temperature changes, combined with the resistance of the tint film, could cause the glass to break.
  • Another viewpoint indicates that the shattering may be related to nickel sulphide inclusions in tempered glass rather than the tint itself.
  • Some participants mention specific conditions under which sunroofs might shatter, such as if they are made from non-glass materials or laminated glass, though they express skepticism about the prevalence of such cases.
  • One participant questions the assumption that tint is the cause of shattering, asking if non-tinted windows also experience similar issues.
  • A participant shares personal experience with a tinted sunroof that has remained intact over nine years, suggesting that environmental factors may play a role.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for statistical analysis to determine if tinted sunroofs shatter more frequently than non-tinted ones, criticizing anecdotal claims without factual basis.
  • Concerns are raised about the quality of installation as a potential factor in sunroof shattering, suggesting that improper application may contribute to the issue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether tint causes sunroofs to shatter. Multiple competing views and theories are presented, with some participants expressing skepticism about the claims made in car forums.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include a lack of statistical data to support claims, dependence on anecdotal evidence, and unresolved questions about the specific conditions under which sunroofs may shatter.

flossurteeth
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Is it true that tint (say 5% or limo) will cause a sun roof on a car to shatter? If so, why?
Common theories that people have said in car forums:

1) Light and energy during hot days gets trapped inside the sunroof glass, bounces back and forth, and eventually breaks the glass due to the excessive heat retention. (I guess when you keep the shade closed?) In order to help avoid, use silver tint.

2) The sunroof glass expands and contracts from heat and cold. The tint film resists proper contraction and causes the glass to explode.

3) It is caused by nickel sulphide inclusion in tempered windows, not tint

4) Only 2 situations that may cause this to happen:

a) "if it's constructed of a non-glass substance. I've not heard of a non-glass sunroof, but some camaros and firebirds from the 80's had plastic T-tops."

b) "The other is if it is made of laminated glass like a windshield. I've not heard of laminated sunroofs, either, so I doubt that's a problem."
It would be really interesting to hear your opinions and explanations on why or why not the tint will cause a sunroof to break. Thanks everyone!
 
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How do you know that tint causes the window to shatter? Do you know if there are non-tinted windows that are shattering? The reasons listed so far seem kind of unlikely to be the cause to me.
 
Our car's near-planar sun-roof is tinted and, after 9 years of assorted weather, it is still okay...

( UK doesn't get the sun and heat that eg Arizona might, but you only need one data point to show myth ;- )

FWIW, I've seen a heavily curved windscreen on an old VW Beetle crack without warning.
 
The question is then how many sunroofs shatter without being tinted.
Then you would do a statistical analysis to see if there is any significance to conclude that sunroofs being tinted shatter more than those not tinted.

A lot of car forums seem to just spout out ' here is what I think ... " without any sort of basis of fact. The ones that do know what they are talking about get drowned out by rhetoric.
Your car forum buddies missed out on perhaps it has something to do with the company/ person doing the installaton in an improper manner or application.