458 Front Windscreen Protection Film

I imagine the biggest issue is keeping the windshield wipers clean and replacing them before they get too hard/dried out, since the relatively soft film is going to scratch much more easily than the glass would. I see windscreen tearoffs used on race cars but until I got my 458 I had never even heard of using them on a street car.

 

Never understood why, but it's illegal to have clear film on windshields in Calif. Does anybody know the justification for this (hold the snide Calif comments)?

 

I don’t know that reason but makes as much sense as it is illegal to have clear license plate covers. I got a ticket for the clear license cover on the rear plate. I have given up on any rational thinking on many CA laws.

 

Never heard of that. My car came from CA with it
I did notice in the morning light today that it just slightly distorts a little. I imagine as it ages and starts to get tiny pits from use it will become more noticeable but it's easy to peel off and I imagine pretty quick and inexpensive to get replaced since it's a basically flat surface. Way easier to "wrap" than a front bumper or panels with complex curves.

 

Maybe it’s because of police cameras? Clear film could have reflective properties. I know for plates it’s because of those red light cameras and such

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Yeah, a visually clear film might reflect or block infrared cameras... although there are windshields that come from the factory which block infrared for heat rejection. A good one won't like like anything so you really have to piss off a police officer for them to look for it.

 

Im pretty sure tinted front windshields are banned that aren't 70%. Clear film is ok in California. There are insulated windows from OEM that would have the same effect as any clear film blocking infrared as someone else has mentioned.

As far as maintenance goes there is a product that you have to wipe onto the film once a month or every other month. It seals the film. There are also ceramic coating touchup sprays that you can spray and wipe off that do the same thing. You do not have to have ceramic coating on the film to use the sprays.

Do not run the windshield wipers dry because it can scratch the film. So probably a good idea to not have wipers on rain sensor setting in case it turns on automatically. Actually I cant remember if the 458 or any of my Ferraris have the rain sensor setting but just in case I thought I would mention it.

As far as washing goes the filtered water is sufficient. You can also use regular water as long as you use a clean microfiber towel at the end to dry.

 

https://abc30.com/window-tint-chp-california-highway-patrol-police/5873675/

 

I took that article to mean you can’t have a tinted windshield. Am I reading that wrong? I just called my clearplex installer who swears that you can have a clear windshield film since there is no additional tint.


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I can’t remember the name of the paste product that was given to me by the installer and will have to look when I get back home in a couple of days. The spray that replaced the paste was glanz ceramic sealant spray. Il have to take pictures when I get back.

From the clearplex website they state you can use a good wax . Image Unavailable, Please Login


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You are correct. The only part of a windshield that can be tinted (beyond the 30% that's inherent in the glass from the manufacturer) is in the top 3-4 or so inches of the windshield. Actually, you can get a waiver to have a tinted windshield but you have to provide medical proof that a tinted windshield is required.

Does anybody have experience with ExoShield windshield protection film? https://www.getexoshield.com

 

Here are some pictures of the paste and of the spray that you can use to maintain the film. The paste came with the clearplex .
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I was told by my installer that it is because of concerns about obstructed vision. Inferior films or installations can cause distortions of the view, especially as the film ages. And of course wipers can cause scratches. I once made the mistake of allowing my dealer to place a rally banner sticker across the top of my windshield, which left a visible haze on my film when removed, so I had to have a new film re-installed. The glass was still perfect underneath.

My installer in Fremont used "Diamond-Tec Windshield Film." I have had a few small pebbles strike occasionally, but the film has held up well for 6 years. I just use regular Griots window cleaner and a microfiber towel, but am careful not to bear down on the windshield to avoid grinding grit into the film.