Solar Control tints out the sun

By Jim Obert

Business Today

Blocking ultraviolet rays, reducing glare and heat, increasing privacy and window strength. These are the main benefits of window tinting, an industry that the International Window Film Association says is worth $200 million annually.

In 1966, the 3M company was granted the first patent for window film. About 17 years later, Stan Peeler of Cape Girardeau, tired of being a deckhand on a towboat, answered an ad in the local newspaper.

"Solar film installers needed," the ad read. Peeler attended a meeting at the Holiday Inn where a Florida-based company was selling window film distributorships.

Peeler bought the package deal for about $4,000. He was given boxes of window film, tools and application instructions. He started his business in his home -- and early on it was tough going.

"I went out and hit the pavement," said Peeler, owner of Solar Control Window Tinting Unlimited. "I had never even hung wallpaper before, but I found I had a knack for tinting windows."

His first jobs involved tinting windows in commercial buildings, such as the power plant in New Madrid. He also found work in Doniphan and Ste. Genevieve. Customers included hospitals and schools.

He did some homes. Business gradually increased by word of mouth.

"I found out no matter where you go, you'll always find a window that has too much sun beating through it," said Peeler.

After a few years, he started getting requests to tint car windows. Some of his customers were car dealerships.

In 1985 Missouri passed a law against tinting driver- and passenger-side front windows. That was also the year minivans became popular, "and the Dodge Caravans and Plymouth Voyagers just screamed for window tinting," said Peeler. "Minivans with their big, clear windows really helped my business."

Peeler said that about five years ago he was the only person in the area with a window-tinting business. Customers would drive to his shop from Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Dexter. He said there is more competition now, but his shop is one of the few that concentrate on tinting only.

Peeler said there are many tints to choose from, but most people choose a charcoal film that comes in four shades -- from very light to very dark. The darkest shade is called limousine. He also carries two shades of bronze.

"Any quality automotive films will have some metal in them like copper, zinc or nickel. The metal helps reject heat and keeps the tint from fading for up to 10 years," Peeler said, adding that faded films can be removed.

An almost totally clear film is available, and it can keep out nearly 40 percent of the heat.

Tinting helps keep the sun off of babies, pets and groceries. Most vehicles can be tinted for less than $200.

Solar Control's main supplier is CPS Films, which is a division of St. Louis-based Solutia Co. Films arrive in 100-foot-long rolls and are up to 72 inches wide. They have a peel-off liner that exposes an adhesive.

Peeler said about half of the SUVs on the market have factory-tinted windows. He can add tint to make the windows darker.

Between 20 and 30 vehicles a week receive window tint at Solar Control. That is about 50 percent of Peeler's business. He recently completed a commercial job at Biokyowa where yellow film was applied to windows in order to reduce the attraction of bugs at night.

Many customers are home-owners who have large windows. Sunlight can cause furniture to fade and, said Peeler, drawing the shades tend to defeat the purpose of large windows.

"A light tint or a clear film will stop most of the ultraviolet damage."

Peeler said window films can reduce the inside temperature of a business or home by 15 degrees.

For businesses there are 4- and 7-millimeter coatings that can deter smash-and-grab thieves who would otherwise easily break a window.

As for the 1985 state law that forbids tinting of vehicle driver- and passenger-side front windows, Peeler said a new law is expected to go into effect Aug. 28 that will allow a 35 percent tinting of those windows.

"People will no longer have to have a doctor's note and state permit. The tinting will be dark enough to cut heat and glare and the police can still see in," he said.