The Benefits of Vin Etching

The Benefits of Vin Etching

Whether it was the magnetic pellets in the ignition keys of GM cars in the 1980s, the rolling codes on electronic key fobs or the uncopyable VIN etching on car glass windows, all of these features have been implemented as hedges against theft. Etching the 17 digit VIN on all windows of your vehicle creates an indelible link to the vehicle's unique identity, which makes it easier for law enforcement officials to verify that a recovered stolen car is the one you own. VIN etching also increases the odds that a stolen vehicle will be identified and returned to its owner, which is why many insurance companies offer a passive anti-theft discount for vehicles with etched windows.

In fact, police departments and insurance companies have statistics that show that stolen cars with etched windows are recovered 60% to 85% more often than those without etched windows, so this is a significant deterrent. Moreover, this is an inexpensive and easy to install deterrent, which can also help you save money on your insurance rates.

What is Vin Etching?

Essentially, Vin Etching is a chemical process that removes the clear coating from all six of your vehicle's windows by using mild acid paste and computer cut stencils. During the process, a stencil with the vehicle's VIN number is placed over each window (except for the small vent windows). Then, the etching cream is applied to the stencil and allowed to set for approximately six minutes. After the time has passed, the stencil is removed and all of your vehicle's windows are etched with the Vehicle Identification Number, which effectively deters thieves from stealing your car.

Another benefit of the VIN etching is that it makes it difficult for thieves to strip your car and sell its parts. As mentioned, most thieves disassemble cars into individual components and sell them to hard ware retailers for resale. If your car's windows are etched, then any thief that sees them is going to think twice about attempting to steal it because they will be faced with replacing all of the marked glass in your car, which would dramatically cut into their profit margin. The simple thought of having to replace and dispose of over 100 pounds of marked windows is enough to make the professional thief move on to another, less risky target.

Adding etching to your car will also help reduce the chances of catalytic converter thefts, which are responsible for a huge portion of the US's automotive theft numbers. In the near future, laws are expected to pass in some states that will require catalytic converters to have the corresponding VIN code etched on them in order to prevent theft. This is just another reason why this technology should be in every car owner, dealer and mechanic workshop's toolbox of anti-theft devices. For this reason and more, we recommend purchasing a VIN Etching Kit for your car or truck. It's an inexpensive, effective and passive anti-theft deterrent that could save you a lot of money on your premiums.

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