Eli5: what are the black dots around the edge of a car window? What are they called and what do they do?

Question

Eli5: what are the black dots around the edge of a car window? What are they called and what do they do?

In: 40

Answer 1

The black dots are called “frits”, and they are made of an enamel which is baked onto the glass. This enamel is a contact point between the glass and the frame of the car, something which glue can stick to and keep the glass in place.

By changing in size they gradually form a transition between the transparent glass and the opaque enamel which is viewed to appear nicer than an abrupt transition.