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Security Film applied to driver and passenger door windows

Alan Andrews

Alan Andrews

Lifetime VIP Member
Messages
1,148
Location
Staffordshire
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 150
For a while now I have been concerned about the rising number of break-ins where the crim is smashing the door glass to access internal accessories and to release the bonnet catch in order to access the engine and other engine components.

Apparently these incidents are getting more common both at home and abroad - France and Spain have a particularly high incident rates. And places like Birmingham has seen a rise in the number of vehicles being targeted for body panels. Whereby once the bonnet is opened they will disconnect the main battery to disable the alarm systems and then go about removing bumpers, wings and bonnets...even engines are easily removed.

Yesterday I had 'bomb blast' laminated security film applied to the driver and passenger door glass.

This stuff makes the windows virtually impregnable!

There are videos where attacks with sledge hammers etc are thwarted. Even if the glass breaks you cannot get through.

The guy took around 4 hours to install the film, so not an easy job when done properly! It comes with a 5 year warranty too.

The film is clear and undetectable, so no value in showing photos here.

And with continental travel planned we can sleep easier now,
 
Alan Andrews said:
For a while now I have been concerned about the rising number of break-ins where the crim is smashing the door glass to access internal accessories and to release the bonnet catch in order to access the engine and other engine components.

Apparently these incidents are getting more common both at home and abroad - France and Spain have a particularly high incident rates. And places like Birmingham has seen a rise in the number of vehicles being targeted for body panels. Whereby once the bonnet is opened they will disconnect the main battery to disable the alarm systems and then go about removing bumpers, wings and bonnets...even engines are easily removed.

Yesterday I had 'bomb blast' laminated security film applied to the driver and passenger door glass.

This stuff makes the windows virtually impregnable!

There are videos where attacks with sledge hammers etc are thwarted. Even if the glass breaks you cannot get through.

The guy took around 4 hours to install the film, so not an easy job when done properly! It comes with a 5 year warranty too.

The film is clear and undetectable, so no value in showing photos here.

And with continental travel planned we can sleep easier now,
Click to expand...
I can understand all windows being treated, although its not difficult, apparently, to dislodge the sliding windows, but why just the 2 front windows?
 
Jw155 said:
Is that safe,they are toughed for a reason so they can be smashed in an emergency
Click to expand...
If you specify the acoustic pack ( which is included as part of the sports pack) the front side windows are upgraded to laminated at the factory.
 
well you learn something everyday never knew that , Iam waiting for my new California with sports pack added
 
Jw155 said:
Is that safe,they are toughed for a reason so they can be smashed in an emergency
Click to expand...
Yes perfectly safe. The number of incidents is increasing and the front windows are the prime target for the crims.

Whilst the side windows can have film applied, the design of the opening window is not conjusive to an effective' bomb blast' security level.

Yes some companies do say that they can do it, but I am assured that the level of security provided is not the highest. Also it is possible to buy 'film' on ebay etc to self apply, but again you will not obtain the level of security expected.

I calculated that if a window was to be smashed then it would cost more to replace a single window than the cost of having the security film applied to both windows, plus I prevent the window being smashed in the first place and the hassle that goes with driving with a smashed window and its replacement!

In the event of a real emergency, then the rescue services have the correct tools to effect a resue.
 
Alan Andrews said:
I calculated that if a window was to be smashed then it would cost more to replace a single window than the cost of having the security film applied to both windows, plus I prevent the window being smashed in the first place and the hassle that goes with driving with a smashed window and its replacement!

In the event of a real emergency, then the rescue services have the correct tools to effect a resue.
Click to expand...
Have you any links to incidents rates for this? I've just googled and found some scare articles, but the rates are very low and isolated.

I guess these would effect your maths here - because if the likelihood is very small then the cost has to be offset to the incident rate. The cost to install is done and sunk, the cost to replace depends on the incidence rate. You would only be cost neutral if the likelihood of it happening was 100%.

I'm always all for people making themselves feel comfy with their protection measures but I rate these alongside bear locks, trackers and wheel clamps. These companies thrive on scare tactics. The maths does not seem to back up us all rushing out and fitting all 4.

Note - it's a Thatcham requirement for car alarms with their ratings to have a backup battery. Disconnecting the starter will not stop an alarm. A Cali has the highest Thatchem rating available.
 
Last edited:
No maths. Just feel that our Cali is now better protected.

If a crim has a go at our windows and fails then he/she is more likely to move on.

The company that installed it is SmashGard....check it out!!
 
Alan Andrews said:
I calculated that if a window was to be smashed then it would cost more to replace a single window than the cost of having the security film applied to both windows
Click to expand...
I'm having difficulty picturing this? Does the film prevent the window being smashed somehow?
 
Alan Andrews said:
No maths. Just feel that our Cali is now better protected.

If a crim has a go at our windows and fails then he/she is more likely to move on.

The company that installed it is SmashGard....check it out!!
Click to expand...
As said, if that’s how it makes you feel, it’s a win. For some peace of mind is an expensive but necessary hobby.

I’ll pass thanks.

For me though I’ve been spreading this expensive anti-Elephant power outside my house for years. Costs a fortune but never seen a Elephant yet, so clearly works! ;)
 
Alan Andrews said:
For a while now I have been concerned about the rising number of break-ins where the crim is smashing the door glass to access internal accessories and to release the bonnet catch in order to access the engine and other engine components.

Apparently these incidents are getting more common both at home and abroad - France and Spain have a particularly high incident rates. And places like Birmingham has seen a rise in the number of vehicles being targeted for body panels. Whereby once the bonnet is opened they will disconnect the main battery to disable the alarm systems and then go about removing bumpers, wings and bonnets...even engines are easily removed.

Yesterday I had 'bomb blast' laminated security film applied to the driver and passenger door glass.

This stuff makes the windows virtually impregnable!

There are videos where attacks with sledge hammers etc are thwarted. Even if the glass breaks you cannot get through.

The guy took around 4 hours to install the film, so not an easy job when done properly! It comes with a 5 year warranty too.

The film is clear and undetectable, so no value in showing photos here.

And with continental travel planned we can sleep easier now,
Click to expand...
At what cost?
 
Is designed to absorb impact and even if the glass is cracked, the glass is impenetrable. Watch the video in an earlier posting to see it in action.
 
I can't see a video in earlier posting?
:help
 
And what if you want to smash your way out in an emergency?
 
I heard from our tree surgeon that someone tried to steal one of his vans by smashing the front window. He said that’s how thieves are now targeting vans. They will then use another vehicle and push it to a low loader.

Everyone has a different risk appetite, but it’s definitely something to be aware of. I think the film does make sense as a deterrent.

However, I would like to see a video of someone trying to gain entry when the door is still attached to the van rather than leaning against a wall. That would be a better test of its effectiveness.
 
I can’t see that it’s a deterrent if you can’t see that it applied. All it does is keep the glass together after it has been broken.
 
andyinluton said:
I can’t see that it’s a deterrent if you can’t see that it applied. All it does is keep the glass together after it has been broken.
Click to expand...
Maybe deterrent is the wrong word to use. But in the scenario I outlined it could help prevent theft of the vehicle.
 
Kayleigh said:
Maybe deterrent is the wrong word to use. But in the scenario I outlined it could help prevent theft of the vehicle.
Click to expand...
But if the person knows it is a California, or any Transporter with an OEM sliding window , then that's the easiest point of entry.
 
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