Optical quality rear window tint
 

I've had tinted film (huper optik a ceramic film from Germany - supposedly reliable) fitted to my 350Z.

I'm not happy with the film on the rear window. It is optically perfect if I look through the glass perpendicular. But because the rear view in the 350Z looks though the rear windshield at a very acute angle I'm getting refraction problems from headlights behind me. Where the film passes over the rear heater elements seems to have formed a little prism that streaks headlights out across the width of the rear window in the rear view mirror. This is (a) getting on my t!ts (b) makes it harder to judge vehicles distances behind me at dusk/in the dark.

Its so annoying that I'm booked to have the film removed in 2 days time. I don't think that its a problem with application (with hindsight it just seems like the laws of physics) but what's your experience? Is it possible to get a film tint that doesn't degrade the rear view?

No problems in daylight BTW, only headlights at dusk etc.

Cheers

Eric

My tint was perfect when it was on. Visibility was just a little tinted but didn't do anything weird like your talking about. I took it off so I could go darker. I had 35% but I want more tint.

Huper Optik film is considerable thicker than ordinary window tint films. That's likely why it's doing what it is over the rear defroster elements; it isn't laying down and conforming as smoothly around the wires as well as regular tint film would. First I've heard of this, though; I've heard Huper Optik is the shiznit and was considering it myself... may rethink now. Stuff is expensive, too.

@ MustGoFastR
I can't recommend it for the Z rear window based on my experience so far. I will say that it is optically perfect on the side windows. A bit of an orange peel effect for the first day or so while the adhesive cured but totally invisible now. I didn't have anything applied to the windshield so I can't comment (I hate stuff on my windshield and didn't want to take the risk).

If the installer can offer a solution to the rear screen I'll report back but I'm not optimistic - I agree it's just the thickness and flexibility of the film combined with the thickness of the rear demister elements.

Cheers

Eric