I've been noticing a trend lately - with some car brands disappearing and spare parts getting more expensive, car thefts are likely to rise.
You can't completely protect your car, but a basic security system is a must.
Today, I'm looking at a very interesting set of security features, specifically the Litex Profi UV marking kit for windshields and mirrors.
The packaging wasn't bad. I paid 1695 rubles for this kit.
This is a DIY marking kit for applying your car's VIN number to the windshield and side mirrors using a reusable, safe, and matte finish paste. It comes with a lot of extra self-adhesive VIN templates, font compliant with GOST and ISO standards. There's a detailed instruction manual and warning stickers. Plus, it's free shipping in Russia.
Interestingly, the same kit costs almost twice as much in St. Petersburg.
The instruction manual was clear and easy to follow.
Essentially, this is a DIY marking kit.
I thought this type of marking went out of style in the 2000s.
The idea behind it is to apply the car's VIN number to the vehicle's parts, making them more visible. You can also customize it with your car's license plate number or name.
The kit contents were complete and well-packaged. You can get it done at a car shop or, like in our case, do it yourself. Keep in mind that getting it done at a shop will cost around 6,000 rubles.
This marking kit, \'PROFI TRAVEL\', is perfect for any car windshield and any type of rearview mirror, regardless of the vehicle class. It's a budget-friendly option or when other anti-theft marking methods aren't available.
You can also apply the marking with a sandblaster, and, of course, the price will be even higher.
The included spirit cloth was a nice touch.As you can see, the package includes everything you need:
20 VIN-numbered templates,an instruction manual,a reusable, long-lasting adhesive paste - 20g,a spirit cloth,two self-adhesive warning stickers for the front windshield.PACKAGE CONTENTS
20 (twenty) individual VIN-numbered templates.A reusable, long-lasting adhesive paste - 20g.Self-adhesive warning stickers AVIN - 2 pieces.A promotional template with the AVIN logo - 1 piece.A spirit cloth - 1 piece.An instruction manual for applying the VIN-number marking - 1 piece.Double packaging: a Zip Lock bagI didn't receive the branded box when I got the delivery.
But the contents were still complete and well-packaged.Actually, it's all so simple that you can save money. I mean, you can buy the templates at a vinyl studio, the adhesive paste on any thematic website, and so on. It would all cost around 500 rubles in total.
You'll need an extra microfiber cloth, though. The template in place looks great.It's a breeze from here!
Just wipe it down, apply the stencil, and slap on the paste.
One thing to note is that you shouldn't apply the paste to plastic parts, so I left the headlights and other plastic bits unmarked.
I got a bit artistic with the application.I applied the paste in thick layers using a brush. Some kits come with a foam applicator, which I find way more convenient.
This way, you avoid any potential issues during vehicle registration, and potential thieves will see that the job's been done professionally, in line with official GIBDD Technical Requirements.
Applying the paste was a straightforward process.Then, I let it sit for a bit. For glass, it's 10-15 minutes, and for mirrors, 5 minutes should do the trick.
I let it sit for 10 minutes in my case.
The paste after removing the stencil looked great.Next, I removed the stencil and gave the paste a good cleaning to prevent it from eating away at the glass.
I did all this on my car wash, actually!
But cleaning was a bit of a mess. Following the instructions, I just had to rub the paste off and rinse it with water from a bottle. I mean, it's not rocket science - just give it a good clean and you're good to go.
As it dried, the numbers started to appear.
Then the water dried, and voila - the numbers are visible.
It took me around 20 minutes to do the whole car, which isn't exactly a chore.
The Litex Profi UV marking kit is a simple and effective way to deter car theft.Now, here's a little hack : since you can't use the glass paste on plastic, you can team up with a friend and have them buy the kit for the headlights, while you get the one for the glass. With 20 stencils in each kit, you can swap them out and mark all the elements for the price of one kit.
The Litex Profi UV marking kit is a simple and effective way to deter car theft.If you ignore the inflated price and lack of packaging, I'm pretty happy with the kit.
The application process is straightforward, saving you time and money on a trip to a specialized center.
What's more, this marking can also affect your casco insurance premium - you'll get a discount because it's an additional anti-theft feature.
You can also enter your numbers into their database if you want.
Of course, this marking isn't a foolproof way to prevent theft, but it's a useful additional measure.
But what really sealed the deal for me was the customer support. I had a few questions about the return policy, and the team responded promptly via email and even offered to help me with the return process. That level of service is hard to find, especially with online retailers. I was impressed by their willingness to go the extra mile to ensure I was satisfied with my purchase.