On my recently purchased second hand car a 60% ceramic film is installed on the windows.

Too dark for me at night, especially the windscreen.

So I go to a shop that installs ceramic, and they show me films, where 40% is more clear than 60%.

Another shop tells me exactly same, that the lower the percentage, the more clear the film is.

Next I search on the web, and find plenty of info, with videos etc, which claims the exact opposite. The higher the percentage the more clear.

Are we again in counterproductive Thailand?

So which film to choose for best visibility at night?

Edited May 30May 30 by CallumWK

It's the amount of visible light the film lets through.

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

It's the amount of visible light the film lets through.

So 40% is darker than 60%

Why do Thai shops claim the opposite?

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

So 40% is darker than 60%

One would hope

Do not have any film on the windscreen except a strip at the top. Easy.

Just now, GreasyFingers said:

Do not have any film on the windscreen except a strip at the top. Easy.

I know but I also want to keep the heat outside, so that was not my question

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

One would hope

But shops in Thailand claim the opposite. They have the film samples next to each other on a window,and the one that is marked 40% is much clearer than the one 60%.

On my window film is written 60%, and you can't look inside, and too dark at night.

Some films use the percentage of light stopped. It is up to the manufacturer.

This is what I use, and I love it. 70 on the windshield, 40 sides and rear

.

2 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

But shops in Thailand claim the opposite. They have the film samples next to each other on a window,and the one that is marked 40% is much clearer than the one 60%.

On my window film is written 60%, and you can't look inside, and too dark at night.

It depends on the film you buy, how it is specked. The "free" film you get when you buy the car is usually higher number, darker film.

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

It depends on the film you buy, how it is specked. The "free" film you get when you buy the car is usually higher number, darker film.

So will this be dark or clear?

The film on the car is A-Kool, which is from HiKool, and has 60% written all over

Edited May 30May 30 by CallumWK

8 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

So will this be dark or clear?

The film on the car is A-Kool, which is from HiKool, and has 60% written all over

Looks like it will be dark.

Why not go down and look at it? They will have samples.

Do not look at it in the Sun, look in dark shade

I'm choosing between Alaska (Blaupunkt) and Legend, and when I ask Google about those films, they say the exact opposite from what the shops tell me.

We just got a new car. As always we did 40% tint in the front and 60 on the sides. Again perfect for the both of us.

Googled it in AI and got what I think is a good clear answer.

AI Overview

Yes, pairing a 40% tint on the front windscreen and a 60% tint on all other windows is the most popular and recommended combination in Thailand. [1, 2]

Here is why this combination is the regional standard:

• Front Windscreen (40%): Provides a clear, unobstructed view of the road and pedestrians, which is crucial for safe driving in Thailand’s busy streets, heavy rain, and at night.

• The Other Windows (60%): Offers a comfortable balance of privacy, glare reduction, and crucial heat rejection against the intense tropical sun without making it difficult to see out your side mirrors at night. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

A Local Tip on Tint Measurements:
Keep in mind that Thailand’s numbering system for tint darkness is the reverse of international standards: [1, 2]

• In Thailand, a higher percentage means a darker film.

• A 40% tint is light, a 60% tint is medium-dark, and an 80% tint is blackout. (Internationally, this is measured by Visible Light Transmission, where a lower percentage means darker film). [1, 2, 3, 4]

Some drivers opt for 80% tint on the rear sides for extra privacy, but doing so on front sides or the front windscreen is generally advised against due to severely reduced visibility at night. [1, 2]

LOL, with Legend 80% is the darkest tint, but with Alaska 70% is the clearest.

Edited May 30May 30 by CallumWK

On 5/30/2026 at 7:08 PM, marin said:

Yes, pairing a 40% tint on the front windscreen and a 60% tint on all other windows is the most popular and recommended combination in Thailand. [1, 2]

This what we always order for our cars, and as far as I know also what the law says; not darker than 40% on front and 60% on side windows.

Referring to the strength of any film without suffixing it with pass or cut is completely meaningless.

I favor 40% cut film (60% pass).

Many of these films begin to bubble quite quickly, particularly the back window. Pretty sure everyone has noticed these bubbly back windows on cars ahead of them. Not sure if these come with a warranty to replace if that happens. Worth checking. My car has factory tinted glass on the back and on the two rear doors. Front doors and windscreen is clear (factory safety - so rescue workers can see inside the car in an accident). I just wear sunglasses, but as someone said if necessary you could add a tinted strip along the top of the windscreen.

11 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Many of these films begin to bubble quite quickly, particularly the back window. Pretty sure everyone has noticed these bubbly back windows on cars ahead of them. Not sure if these come with a warranty to replace if that happens. Worth checking. My car has factory tinted glass on the back and on the two rear doors. Front doors and windscreen is clear (factory safety - so rescue workers can see inside the car in an accident). I just wear sunglasses, but as someone said if necessary you could add a tinted strip along the top of the windscreen.

I always assumed that using the rear demister will bubble the film on your rear window, it happened to me once and i figured i had hit the rear demister button by accident..

4 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

I always assumed that using the rear demister will bubble the film on your rear window, it happened to me once and i figured i had hit the rear demister button by accident..

I wondered about that too. Possible accidental activation. Also could be years of parking in the sun?

The quality of the film and the installation has much to do with whether it bubbles. I have had my film for almost ten years without a bubble or ripple.