Sun Films – new for Windscreen & replacement for Door glasses etc.

Sorry for the delay. First, a correction, here we do not have any dealer/distributor for Llumar.  The dealer for Garware (referred earlier) arranges for Llumar sun films also (on order) – he has some arrangement with the dealer at Ahmedabad.

Following are the Garware sun films I liked…

For Side glasses etc….

(1)   Classic Lite 50 priced Rs.2500/-

Heat Reduction: 40%

Visible Light Transmission: 50%

UV Rays Rejection: 99%

(2)   Natural Ash priced Rs.2150/-

Heat Reduction: 45-55%

Visible Light Transmission: 35-42%

UV Rays Rejection: 99%

For windscreen…

(3)   Cool Vision priced Rs.2150/-

Heat Reduction: 37%

Visible Light Transmission: 66%

UV Rays Rejection: 99%

(4)   Ice Cool Light priced Rs.4300/-

Heat Reduction: 40%

Visible Light Transmission: 70%

UV Rays Rejection: 99%

He could not make samples available for Llumar but surprisingly arranged for a test-drive of Honda Civic that had Llumar sun films.  It had sun films on glasses etc. that were equivalent to (1) above – priced 3400/- & on windscreen that was equivalent to (4) above - priced Rs.4850/-. I also test-drew my colleague’s Accent that has sun films (2) & (3) above.

I could not take the test-drives on highway, as initially proposed, but did that on a 3-km strip of main road (4-lane) that has constant/fast traffic – to & fro (total 6 kms) – for both the cars.

The windscreen sun films really help/reduce glare while visibility is virtually the same (very light/natural shade). The difference in performance of Llumar & Garware is to the extent of 10% as per my assessment (Llumar better).  This assessment was seconded by the Garware dealer & also by the Civic owner who also happens to own Dzire with Garware windscreen/sun films.  The performance of sun films on side & rear glasses is hardly noticeable (Llumar & Garware).

The quality & longevity of Llumar is better than Garware but the difference isn’t substantial.  The difference in the price is mainly on account of the brand names / reputation.  All in all, I would say Garware is VFM.

I propose to go for (2) & (3) above (total cost Rs.4300/-) – same as in my colleague’s car.  The specifications are a little below the RTO approved norms but they are better looking (shade) & it would hardly matter (the present sun films that I have are relatively darker).

I couldn’t get the sun films done, as the driver’s door glass needs to be reset (some play).  Even the other door glasses require slight resetting.  I will first get all the door glasses reset (never done/required before).

Thanks for the very detailed update.

Does the same come with warranty and are there any installation charges?

The warranty is for 3 years.  No extra charges for installation.

Incidentally, for Llumar he first said he would charge Rs.700/-, as margin/profit to him is very nominal on account of the arrangement / expenses involved in getting those from Ahmedabad - but subsequently he agreed not to. I enquired with him - for academic purpose - whether, or not, the installation charges are otherwise separate.  He confirmed that it is always all inclusive but in some rare cases/arrangements (like in his case - Llumar).

The sun film on windscreen will be applied in 2 pieces - a strip of 6 inches at the top & rest/below in 1 piece. This, however, depends from car to car (size & shape/curve of the windscreen) - in some cars it is done in 1 piece while in some in 3 pieces also (top & bottom strips of 6 inches each).

As stated before, I will be going for Garware.  Will be getting it done on coming Saturday in the afternoon - as required/preferred (broad day light).

I hope my decision & thought-process (VFM) is appropriate / decent enough. I'm, however, still open to changes - if required/suggested. Thanks.

Pankaj,

Awesome detailing. This is the way to choose sun films or any accessories.
Do post the rest after installation.

Pankaj,

Nice bit of detailing.Just wanted to know if you felt Llumar is 10% more effective and price difference is not much then why u r not going for it,And for (2) which is 35-42% light transmission,will it not fail RTO inspection if any or is it not possible for naked eye to identify the difference?

The price difference is substantial - I've compared sun films for windscreen (3) of Garware (in Accent) with Llumor equivalent to (4) of Garware (in Civic).  The difference is more than double (Garware Rs.2150/- against Llumor Rs.4850/-)...

Yes, the one finalised by me, as stated before, is a little below the RTO approved specifications. I have selected those, as it has better shade & also because the difference is hardly noticable to naked eyes (rightly guessed by you) - and for the fact that my current sun films are even darker (no problem faced yet). It in all probability, I do not forsee any problem, therefore.

Pankaj,

Thanks.may be i will go with same combinations too.

 I have one more query.For front wind shield- the 3 and 4 price difference is substantial too.Both are garware products and the diff between heat rejection is only 3 %.Do u know the difference between the two?

The quality of the film used is better & smoother (I could feel it), and has better longevity - mainly due to higher scratch resistance.  It is comparable with Llumar (one used in Civic I drove).

I think (am a little confused) there is a difference in warranty also - it comes with 5 years (will ascertain).  In any case, the others under reference (3 years warranty) also have good longevity/scratch resistance.

The difference in performance, as stated/experienced, is 10% only.

hi-----

I installed Garware classic--natural ash to i10 2 days ago

Cost 1.6k total.

Got installed from one person (he doesnot have any shop) who came at home. It took 2 hrs.

Did very nicely. He had warranty card too, but he showed his inabilty to sign it. But he gave me whole of remaining rim of sunfilm. It has good length so that whole car can be fitted with film at least once more. He assured that if any problem occurs, he will rectify this free of cost.

Garware front windscrren is costing me 2.8k+400 (for installation) at one shop. MRP of film is 2850 only. But sicne I have decided not to pay unneccessarily for installation, hence I have not gone for it from that shop (probably he does not give rest of film back--not really sure). So,I will purchase films from Pune and will get it installed from same person at nominal price. Rest of film would remain with me too.

Films do good job. As per RTO, these are not approved, magar utna fark pata nahi chalata hai!

Oh, that's unusual - a good package to get