How Do You Tint a Motorcycle Visor

A motorcycle visor is an important part of a full-face helmet as it protects the face from road debris. But then, what about the ultraviolet light and sun glare while you’re on the road? This is precisely why you need a tinted motorcycle visor. 

With a tinted visor, you won’t have to struggle with the constant glare during long road trips under the hot sun. You will also be able to manage eye fatigue better during daytime rides.

Instead of buying a new tint motorcycle visor, you can simply transform your clear visor into a tinted one. If you want to know how to tint motorcycle visor, we’ve got you covered, so keep reading.

But first… 

Are Tinted Motorcycle Visors Legal?

Yes, tinted motorcycle visors are legal. But the thing is, some states require riders to have their tinted motorcycle visors down at all times while on the road.

This can be a big challenge if the weather changes during the day or if you get held up by traffic at dusk. Most tinted visors allow about 50 to 70 percent of light to go through. So, you will have poor visibility in bad weather and at night. It’s recommended that you carry an additional clear visor. 

Why Tint Motorcycle Visors

We need light for clear visibility. But excessive light can be a problem when riding under hot sunny conditions for long hours. And that’s why you may need to consider tinting your motorcycle visor. The following are the top reasons why you should consider doing this.

Reduced Eye Glare

Constant exposure to the sun can be exhausting on a long journey and may well affect your concentration. The glare can be quite risky when riding at high speeds on busy highways. This could affect your ability to ride the motorcycle adeptly, putting you at risk, especially with the incoming traffic.

Even if you don’t feel the need for it, a nicely tinted motorcycle visor can help reduce eye glare and ease the strain on your eyes. This is especially important if you are riding on an open road under the hot sun.

Protects Against UV Light

Every day you are on the road with your motorcycle, you will be exposed to various light sources. Light is essential during the day because it enables you to see better. But some sun rays (UV light, to be precise) are harmful, and they may lead to discomfort in the long run.

The cumulative effect of UV light won’t be good for your vision. UV light may even trigger some eye problems, such as AMD or cataracts. Tinted visors can significantly reduce the effects of UV light and help prevent retinal cell death, especially if you ride a lot on hot sunny days.

Manage Eye Fatigue Better

Have you ever wondered why your eyes are feeling heavy after long rides under the hot sun? Heavy eyes are often the result of eye fatigue.

This is usually caused by continuous exposure to bright sunlight, glare, and a long period of riding that demands focus and concentration. Your ciliary muscles are usually forced to work hard whenever you have to focus on the road up close. A tinted motorcycle visor can help manage eye fatigue better.

How to Tint Motorcycle Visor

Tinting your motorcycle visor doesn’t have to be a difficult proposition. You just need the right tools, materials, and instructions.

Things You Will Need:

• Tint film
• Heat gun
• Microfiber cloth
• Utility knife
• Edged squeegee
• Paper towels
• Soapy water
• Glass cleaner

Step-By-Step Instructions

These are the easy and quick steps you need to tint motorcycle visor:

Step 1: Clean the Visor

This is an extremely important step because it helps remove oily residue, sweat, snow, grime, dust, dirt, and any other pollution particles from the visor.

Go for a motorcycle visor cleaner that is safe to use on different types of lens materials like polycarbonate. The cleaner should be fully biodegradable. Use de-ionized water and neutral soaps. You also need a premium-quality microfiber cloth that’s anti-static, safe to use on visor lens, and leaves a streak-free finish with no risk of scratching the visor surface.

You can work on the visor while it is attached to the helmet or you can detach it from the helmet. 

Removing the visor is easy. In an open position, pull the lever of the mechanism holding the visor forward. Go ahead and pull it forward and up and out of its socket. Repeat the same process on the other side.

Spray the visor cleaner on both sides of the visor and leave it to soak the surfaces for around two minutes. Using the microfiber cloth, gently wipe the surfaces to leave a streak-free finish. 

Step 2: Measure, Cut, and Apply the Tint Film

The best thing about this do-it-yourself (DIY) project is that you can choose a color that you like. You can decide to go with a dark or light tint.

The most ideal tint film should have an air-release membrane that will allow you to apply the tint film dry without the need for an installation liquid. It should be able to stick to the shape of the visor with ease and super comfortable with the heat. 

A self-healing visor tint film is a good choice, which will allow scratches to disappear with heat. Also, consider an acrylic-based adhesive, which will not eat through your motorcycle visor.

Then, measure the visor against the tint film paper. Use a pair of scissors or a blade with a ruler to cut out the ideal size. The cutout doesn’t have to be accurate, but it should be a bit larger, so it will be easier to remove the excess film.

When handling and applying the film paper, make sure your fingers don’t touch the backside. Start by lining up the film paper on the visor, while ensuring it is as flat as possible. This process can be much easier if you remove the visor from the helmet. 

Use a squeegee to flatten the film paper and get rid of any bubbles. Apply the tint film paper bit by bit for best results. You can use a heat gun to warm the film paper for easier application.

Once you’ve applied the tint film on the entire surface of the motorcycle visor, use the squeegee to flatten out any remaining bubbles. Make sure you properly work on the edges, ensuring that there is no tension. 

Trim out the edges of the visor to remove the excess film and gently pull off the air-release membrane to complete the installation. 

Step 3: Reinstall the Visor

This is a step you need to follow if you removed the visor from the helmet. To attach the visor back onto the helmet, in an open position, pull the lever forward. Gently line up the visor’s teeth and push it back into place. 

FAQs

Does tinting a motorcycle visor invalidate your insurance?

You might have probably come across rumors on online motorcycle forums that tinted motorcycle visors could invalidate your insurance in the event of a motorcycle crash. You are required by law to wear a DOT-approved helmet, which means the visor is also approved. But it is better to check your state laws and confirm with an insurer just to be on the safe side. In relation to this, you might also want to know – can you paint a motorcycle helmet?

Are there any drawbacks to tinting motorcycle visors?

Tinting your motorcycle visor is a great way to improve riding comfort during the day and make you look cool, but there is a catch to this modification.

First, the use of a tinted visor is limited to daytime use. This can be a big problem when you find yourself on the road at night. A spare clear visor is always recommended if you think your ride will extend into the night. Second, the weather could change unexpectedly in summer, reducing your visibility. Third, some tunnels may be surprisingly long with poor lighting.

Can I use a pinlock with a tinted visor?

The pinlock system is an effective way of double glazing the visor to prevent fogging. The airtight pocket between the visor and pinlock creates an additional insulation layer, improving fogging prevention.

Having said that, you can use a pinlock with your DIY tinted visor as long as the visor you’ve got is pinlock enabled. A tinted pinlock with a clear visor, however, may allow sun glare to penetrate around the edges. A clear pinlock would be a good backup plan when the weather changes unexpectedly.

Can I spray tint a motorcycle visor?

Tint sprays are available and it is an alternative tinting method. The method is quite simple and may only take a few minutes. All you have to do is spray the tint on the visor (after cleaning the visor) and leave it to dry. But this isn’t as effective, reliable, and popular as a tint film.

Which is the best tint film material?

The widely used tint film material is polycarbonate because it is very effective at absorbing UV rays, improving eye protection under the hot sun. 

Conclusion

Do you want to improve your eye protection and make your daytime rides more comfortable? You can do this by tinting your visor. Our detailed guidelines should help get the job done quickly and effectively. But riding at night with a tinted motorcycle visor would invite problems. You should consider having a clear pinlock or a clear visor for night riding and when the weather changes.