1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT SHADE
2. STANDARD FILM OR PPF FILM
The two main differences between standard tinfoil and PPF foil are:
Orange peel: Standard tint film often has a slight texture, also known as orange peel, which is less noticeable on taillights. PPF film, on the other hand, is clear and smooth, providing a tighter finish, especially on headlights.
Price: PPF film is more expensive than standard tin foil, but the extra cost comes with higher quality and better lamp protection. (see photo)
Your entire Protect car with PPF film? Read all about it here.
3. BENEFITS OF LAMP SHADES
- Stylish look: Tinted headlights and taillights give your car a unique, sleek look.
- Protection: The film (especially PPF film) protects the lamps from scratches, dirt and stone chips, which can extend the life of the lamps.
- UV protection: The tin foil also helps protect the lamps from harmful UV radiation, which can prevent discolouration or damage.
4. LEGAL RULES AND ENFORCEMENT
When it comes to tinting car lamps, regulations prohibit the application of anything on the lamps that affects light output. This means that any kind of tint film, even if it is a light tint, is officially not allowed.
If you do choose to have your lights tinted, it is always at your own risk. You may be trespassing by doing so and it could cause problems at the MOT inspection or at a traffic control.
5. MOT CERTIFICATION
The MOT inspection checks whether your car's lighting meets the legal requirements. Tinted headlights or rear lights can pose a problem here, as regulations state that the light output and the light image must not be adversely affected.
If the tint film causes the lamps to no longer meet these requirements, your car may not be approved. Therefore, it is important to know that lamp tinting can be a rejection point and is therefore carried out at your own risk.
Quote Article 128 MOT regulations
- The lenses of light fittings must not be sprayed, painted or plastered.
- The lenses of the light fittings at the rear of the vehicle, with the exception of reversing lamps, shall not have any cracks or holes through which white light can be emitted to the rear.
6. JUDGMENT OF THE CANTONAL COURT
The rules around lamp tinting are not always clear, but recently a district judge ruled that tinted lamps can be legal, as long as they do not adversely affect the light output or the light display.
Fines for tinted lights
Police often issue fines based on offence code N550, which states that light fittings may not be modified if it interferes with the function of the light. This means that if the tinted film does not affect the light output, a fine is debatable.
The case around tinted lamps
A case in which a BMW owner was fined for tinting his headlights led to an interesting ruling. The owner was fined despite the fact that the tinted film had no negative impact on the light display. After an argument, the judge ruled that the fine was unjustified because the officer could not prove that the light output was affected.
Tin foil is allowed, with caution
If you want tinted headlights or rear lights, it is important that the film has no impact on light output. To best achieve this, choose a light tint so that it has the least effect on light output.
7. WE SHADE LAMPS AT YOUR OWN RISK
Tinting headlights and rear lights is always at your own risk. Although there have been rulings by cantonal courts stating that tinted lights can be legal, enforcement depends on individual officers and MOT inspectors. There always remains a risk of a fine or rejection during MOT inspection.
At WrapAndGo, we therefore cannot be held liable for any fines or rejections resulting from tinting lights. We advise you to consider this before making your choice.
8. FILM IS EASY TO REMOVE
Tint film is easy to remove without damage to the underlying surfaces. After a certain period, however, some adhesive residue may remain, but these are easy to clean.
Best way to do this is to use a hot air blow dryer. If any glue residue remains, you can easily remove it with sticker remover.
