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Global leader in Solar and Safety Films Urges Tinters To Abide By State Tinting Laws.
San Diego, CA - February 8, 2005 – Bekaert, a world leader in the manufacture of solar and safety window film, recently distributed over 1,000 tint law posters to automotive tinters throughout the United States in an effort to support and build awareness for legal tinting.
“Within the automotive restyling industry, illegal tinting has widespread, detrimental effects, resulting in stricter laws that jeopardize the livelihood of reputable dealers. Many end-consumers aren’t even aware of the tinting laws in their state, or the pricey consequences of having illegal tint installed,” said Robert Garlo, Automotive Product Market Manager of Bekaert. “Bekaert is giving these tint law posters to every tint shop so we can assist these small businesses in educating customers, and support their continuous effort of providing high quality, safe, and legal window film installations.”
Tint laws are in place for two primary reasons. First, they act as a security measure for law enforcement officials during potentially dangerous traffic stops. Excessively dark window film prohibits officers from seeing the actions of the driver, the number of occupants and whether they are carrying any weapons. Second, illegal tint limits driver visibility, especially at night, and can result in accidents, lawsuits or far worse consequences, such as death. Each state is responsible for dictating the level at which film becomes a safety hazard, and both drivers and tint shops are expected to abide by these regulations. When an automobile is pulled over for illegal tint, the vehicle owner, the tinter that installed the film and the tint shop he works at can all receive a steep fine.
These illegal tint jobs cause state lawmakers to enact stricter tint regulations, lowering demand for window film installations and further harming law-abiding establishments. Plus, tinters that install illegally do so at the cost of unwary, uneducated consumers, since most illegal tint installations use low-grade film, are poorly installed, offer no warranty coverage and the fly-by-night tinters do not last long enough for the end-consumer to return, should a problem arise.
Strict tinting laws are a major source of contention for both window film manufacturers and installers, but the health of the industry is dependent upon window film installers tinting legally. Newer, lighter, metallized window films provide as much, if not more, heat and ultraviolet rejection as dark, dyed films. Tint shops that take the time to educate customers about how film works, and present a wide selection of legal options to customers will continue to profit, without tinting illegally. Bekaert’s tint law poster is the first step tinters can use to educate clients about the law in their state and it opens a line of communication in which dealers can talk about the different benefits of each film. In the end, customers will appreciate those reliable dealers and will return with another vehicle in the future or refer a friend.
Tinters can download an 8.5” x 11” version of the poster from the Dealer’s Corner at BekaertFilms.com or request a map from any of Bekaert’s 11 service centers. Remember, state tinting laws are subject to change, so periodically checking your local state tinting laws is recommended.
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