Understanding Window Tint Adhesives

Window film brands and types may look the same when installed, but they are not all created equal. The different window film adhesives can have a different visual appearance over time as lower quality adhesives can distort faster from the effects of the sun.

There are two primary types of adhesives used with residential and commercial window film PS pressure-sensitive adhesive and DA dry adhesive. The primary difference is the tacky nature of the PS adhesive. Constructed to form a mechanical bond to the glass, it can quickly adhere to it after applying it to the glass. The pressure from the tool used to remove the solution helps in the adhesion process.

While both adhesives serve different applications well, PS adhesives are generally found in automotive window film and security film and sometimes in residential and commercial window film. The automotive application quickly bonds the film to curved surfaces generally found on automotive windows. A thicker PS adhesive can help adhere to the heavier and thicker security film.

In contrast, the DA dry adhesive does not have a tacky nature. It forms a chemical bond to glass, with the cure time taking longer than the PS adhesives. The DA adhesives can typically last considerably longer and have a much better optical clarity.

Higher quality solar films tend to utilize a DA system. Both the Llumar and Vista window film use the DA system in their commercial and residential window film product lines, except for the security film versions that use the PS system. The security film versions require the PS adhesives as the film needs more aggressive adhesives to bond the thicker security film to the glass.

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