Window films (mongrels, part n)

It was around 2008 and, for professional reasons, he needed to buy a new car, with four-wheel drive, low-range gear and, preferably, a diesel engine, because of the torque at low revs.

After several analyses, engineer-style, with a decision matrix, generating the price/power and weight/power ratios, besides the test drives, the choice fell on a “Sorento” model from the Korean KIA. With the dealership on Rua da Passagem and the workshop on Rua Assunção, both in Botafogo, in Rio. KIA also had a good network of workshops all over Brazil, the result of the spread of a utility vehicle called “KiaBesta” which, with a little diesel engine, simple and at a good price, replaced VW’s Kombi in the market.

On the day the car arrived, he was informed that, as a courtesy, he would receive a set of floor mats and the installation of darkening film on the windows, a national mania since that time. The car would need a final inspection and would only be delivered in 48 hours. He decided to go to the workshop to see the new “child” and try to exchange that film for something else. His opinion about the films was that they hindered safety when driving at night, especially on rainy days, because they impaired visibility.

Most people liked the films because they thought they were “chic”, elegant, seeing without being seen, and used the excuse of “security”: the thief, not seeing who was inside, would rob another car. Nonsense, because along that line of justification, whoever hides more would be because he has more to be stolen, and will attract more thieves.

But the KIA dealership was categorical: the gifts were those, mat and film, take it or leave it.

However, he could choose the film: there were ones with 70%, 50% and 25% transparency. He could even mix them. So, since “one does not look a gift horse in the mouth”, and giving in to family opinions, he decided to accept. But, as an engineer, he could not resist “engineering” the films: 75%, no way, you cannot see anything, it will give the feeling of a closed “van”. On the front windshield, better not to put anything. On the rear window, he decided to use the lightest film (25%), so as not to impair too much the visibility of the inside rearview mirror. On the sides, he opted for the intermediate films (50%), but at a certain point he hesitated. They would interfere with the side mirrors; perhaps it would be better to use 25% on the sides too.

Talk here, talk there, evaluating the film with the installer, he has a flash:

_ let’s put the 50% on the sides, but let’s leave a little space without film so the driver can see the outside rearview mirrors and, at night, in the rain, see what he needs to see.

The young installer gets into the spirit and suggests that the cut be vertical so that, when the window goes up and down, the rubber sealing “lips” do not peel off the film.

But authorization from the workshop chief is needed. Answer: _No can do.

Stubbornly, he asks to speak with the workshop chief:

_ No can do. We will not take responsibility, blah blah blah... Where have you ever seen that?

By chance, one of the partners of the dealership, the “boss”, was coming in. The workshop manager brings him up to date on the conversation and the so-called “boss”, even without having heard that part of the conversation, repeats the question:

_ where have you ever seen that?

The buyer, who was already irritated, decides to lie:

_ in the United States. They do it a lot there.

It was as if the sun had opened up.

_ Ah, all right! Then I will authorize it, but it is your responsibility; if it does not work out, we will not replace it.

And so it was done. About six months later, when he came back for the 15,000 km inspection, the young installer came to speak with him, very proud:

_ I have already installed two more like yours.

After almost 20 years and two cars, he still uses this method. And, every other month, someone stops him on the street to ask where he had that done. He answers: anyone with a utility knife can do it. Better someone with practice.

Were it not for the argument that he had seen it “abroad”, he would not have managed it.

A bunch of people with a mongrel complex, so well diagnosed by the late Nelson Rodrigues.

Miguel Fernández y Fernández, engineer, chronicler and columnist, member of the National Academy of Engineering and of the Institute of Engineering # written 2023-2025 R2025 Dec Rb, 3,963 characters.