Window Tint

[Greenie]

I have procrastinated doing this modification for years because I was fearful of getting a bad tint job. I'm sure we have all seen purple tinted windows with so many bubbles that Lawrence Welk would be envious and obviously were applied with a pine top.

This past Wednesday I had my side windows tinted (front doors) and they look great. I can tell a big difference in the reduction of heat gain and glare. I found a shop that does nothing but tinting. I opted for the FormulaOne Pinnacle series tint (their top of the line) that is guaranteed not to fade or discolor and has a lifetime guarantee for what its worth. They even guarantee to replace it free on a one time basis for accidental damage by the owner.

It is a ceramic based film and does not interfere with communication devices i.e. cell phones, nav systems, etc.
The film is computer matched and trimmed for each specific vehicle so that there are no rough edges or sloppy trim lines.
Out the door was $100.37.

The side windows look so good I'm seriously considering tinting the windshield. However Alabama law forbids tint on the windshield but the installer said that a much lighter tint on windshield would not be that noticeable, say 50% which is 15% lighter than the side windows which are 35%. I'm still undecided on the windshield because having the gendarmes hassle an old man would ruin my day.

These tint percentages are somewhat confusing in that in the graphic arts business the smaller the number the lighter the tint or screen. However window tint is just the opposite. Lower tint numbers indicate less transmissible light hence they are considerably darker. Took me a while to understand the dynamics of light transmission.

The only odd thing about the tint is that if you are wearing polarized sun glasses, glare from other glass surfaces takes on a purple tint. I can live with this aberration for the glare reduction, uv reduction and decreased radiant heat.

[Hickleberry]

Who the heck is Lawrence Welk?

Lately I've been considering getting tint too.

Maybe the sun is just more harmful now or my skin has become more sensitive, but I try to shade myself when I drive whenever possible.

$100 sounds pretty good.

[LOL TCH]

I paid $160. a few months ago for the FormulaOne. I just got the ceramic on the back window because I was paranoid about getting bad reception on the AM radio. Actually I don't even listen to AM. But you never know. Their non-ceramic tint was slightly darker so I went with that on the sides. It's still above the legal limit here in Fl. yet it keeps the car much cooler than without it. Their tint looks great on my dark blue car.

[CHINKinatundra]

i paid $135 for all around minus the windshield.

[luckyguy101]

Keep in mind that any amount of aftermarket tint on the driver or front passenger window is illegal in the state of California. Seems that the cops have some reservations about walking up to a driver's window without being able to get at least a peek at who or what is inside the vehicle. You will see all degrees of tint applied to front windows in our fair state, and rarely do the police choose to stop and cite solely based on the presence of the tint, but they can. I became extremely aware of that risk, while driving around in my '97 Supra twin turbo, which had aftermarket tint on the windows when I brought it in from out of state. Law enforcement was always eager to encourage me to pop the hood, so they could check for illegal modifications to the engine. Needless to say, I soon had the tint professionally removed!
There is a provision in the California law that allows certain individuals with medically diagnosed abnormal skin sensitivity to sunlight, to have a very light shade of tint applied to their windows. They are, however, required to carry in their vehicle at all times a signed statement issued by a licensed dermatologist.
Whew! Too much information! You ask a guy what time it is...and he winds up telling you how to make a clock. Sorry!

[heinmillerlax]

I got 5% all the way around, and it cost me $190. So technically i think my back windows are 2.5. I plan on doing 40 on the winshield soon.

[AxelsHumanDad]

Originally Posted by luckyguy101

Keep in mind that any amount of aftermarket tint on the driver or front passenger window is illegal in the state of California. Seems that the cops have some reservations about walking up to a driver's window without being able to get at least a peek at who or what is inside the vehicle.

`round here, they say tinted side windows aren't approved because it is a sign of gang activity.
<sarcasm> big-time farm town I live in, we are so overwhelmed with gang activity. </sarcasm off>

[Greenie]

Originally Posted by Tundra_Hick

Who the heck is Lawrence Welk?

Lately I've been considering getting tint too.

Maybe the sun is just more harmful now or my skin has become more sensitive, but I try to shade myself when I drive whenever possible.

$100 sounds pretty good.

Several years back I was diagnosed with skin cancer. During the hot summer months I have to keep as much skin covered as possible and wear a hat. This was on emphatic advice from the sawbones if I wanted to avoid a recurrence. So this was a good excuse to do the deed. I still have yearly checkups to be sure plus my eyes are extremely light sensitive. Just building my case here your honor!

Anyway it was a good investment. The tint is really good looking and is light enough not to have the "gang banger" stigma.

[The Phoenix]

People with sensitivity to light can actually receive a letter from an optometrist saying you need as much light reduced in your vehicle as possible, therefore making tint legal for that individual.

Most people are getting it done these days anyway. It's not anything new, and yes, the police do worry because they can't see in the vehicle if the windows are tinted. If you are ever pulled over, it would be in the best interest to roll down all windows possible so that the officer feels safe when approaching your vehicle. If he pulled you over specifically for having your windows tinted, and tries to use the excuse you rolled down the windows to try to hide the tint, remind him that you didn't want him to think you were waiting behind your tinted window with a shotgun ready to take his head off. He might be grateful and even let you go.

[luckyguy101]

FXNGLAS,
You are absolutely correct about an optometrist being able to provide a statement as to light sensitivity issues pertaining to the eyes. In California however, neither the dermatologist nor the optometrist can get you off the hook for tinted windows any longer. The current law reads that these medical statements will allow you to affix temporary shading devices to the driver's and front passenger's windows, and that the shades must not be used during night time (darkness) hours.
I'm afraid that update seems to rule out any legal use of aftermarket front window tint in vehicles operated on the public roadways in California. But, just as with the absence of the front license plate, the practice is extremely commonplace.

[06grnmstr]

I have a 2006 DC and Tinted the windshield and did 5% limo tint all the way around. I had my buddy in who uses SolarGard Film (lifetime warranty), and he ran a piece of 35% down the windshield for me. The whole thing cost me $200 bucks, and he even put a dark eyebrow on the top strip of the windshield for me too.

I can tell you that tinting the windshield was the best move I ever made. At 35%, you don't a problem with cops and such, but it DEFINITELY makes a difference at night. I noticed glare from oncoming cars was substantially reduce, and really did help, even with it being so light.

I had my front two windows hit with another layer of 5% to match the back glass a little better. Its nice and even on the sides now, not to mention that you can't see crap inside of it.

For any of you who are in SC, let me know and I'll give you the name of a great guy to do it (been in business for over 7 years), and he warranties his work regardless if its legal or not. Really does the best work i've ever seen, and I've had three vehicles tinted by this guy, and never had any problems.

[The Phoenix]

Originally Posted by luckyguy101

FXNGLAS,
You are absolutely correct about an optometrist being able to provide a statement as to light sensitivity issues pertaining to the eyes. In California however, neither the dermatologist nor the optometrist can get you off the hook for tinted windows any longer. The current law reads that these medical statements will allow you to affix temporary shading devices to the driver's and front passenger's windows, and that the shades must not be used during night time (darkness) hours.
I'm afraid that update seems to rule out any legal use of aftermarket front window tint in vehicles operated on the public roadways in California. But, just as with the absence of the front license plate, the practice is extremely commonplace.

I forgot to mention that it does vary by state law.

[Vladamir]

Hey guys,

I just got 20% on my Tundra today matched to the factory rear and access windows. 20% is illegal in most states, but here in CO just about everyone has tinted windows so you can get away with "darker" tint.
After talking with a few of my cop friends their recommendation for people with dark windows is to roll down all the windows, turn on your overhead lights, and keep both your hands on the steering wheel. This method has saved me from a few tickets, not only from windows that were too dark, but other stupid things that got me pulled over. Maybe a little over cautious, but it makes them feel safer, happier, and less likely to hand out tickets.

[morebeer]

I picked up a set of precut sides on ebay last year for my 2005 DC. It was a close match to the back windows, and man does it look great! There is one spot on the driver's side that I got a small hair in, but other than that, no purple, no bubbles. It's not that hard to do yourself if you TAKE YOUR TIME... Between a good squeegee, a sprayer filled with water + a dab of dish soap, and pulling the door panels off, I had absolutely no problems. I think it was $30 shipped, and I did not have to trim ANYTHING.

The previous posters are right about the police and laws though, I was pulled over once last year in my town by a local cop. When I got lit up, I rolled the drivers' side window all the way down, turned on my overhead light, and left both hands on the wheel, explaining my every move. (Is it OK if I reach into my pocket, officer?). The whole reason he pulled me over was for the tint, and he issued me a written warning. I figured for $30, I could wait until I got a real ticket and see how much the fine was before I decided to remove it. They're nervous enough about pulling any car over, let alone ones they cannot see into. I wasn't trying to hide the tint, I just was trying to be accommodating.

-mb