Tinted windows

[TundraBarnone]

Has anyone had aftermarket window tint film installed on their windows? I was wondering about the quality of the film and whether it "bubbles" or not. My neighbor had his front side windows tinted to look like the back seat windows on his DC, and I was thinking about doing the same. He says they are guaranteed not to bubble and if they do they will replace the film. That is fine, but I'd hate to be making a bunch of return trips to the shop that installs this... and then if they go out of business.. SOL...

Looking for input and recommendations.



Mike

[TRDKEAU]

gotta find a shop that will stand by their work. At first you'll see bubbles (1st 3 days), Its still drying, just leave it out in the sun and let it run its course. Just got mine tinted today, looks awesome, Cab is alot cooler.

[Agent WD-40]

There are quite a few threads on this topic. One thread of interest is called "what to look for in a tint shop" or something to that effect. There are also several discussions that discuss the different types of films and film properties (dyed, metalized, UV blocking, etc) that you can look into. Many have links to pictures so you can get a feel for how dark they are and also some have links to your state tint laws.

I had my front windows tinted a month or so ago. I really like the results. I got a metalized film that blocks 50% of the incident heat. It really helps keep you cooler, especially when it is hot out. It is a 43% darkness (not too dark) Solar Gard film. I have pictures in my gallery if you want to see it. Do a search though, you will learn a lot.

[sidepocket]

i'm guessing you guys don't worry about having to get it taken off if a cop catches you?

[THarms]

In general, the quality of window tinting materials has gone up significantly over what it was even just 5-years ago. I had tinting installed on my '94 Camry and by the time I sold it a few years ago, the tinting was turning that awful purple color and was loaded with scratches. But I have to admit that when it was installed it only came with a 2-year warranty, so it did outlast the warranty.

I also went with the metallicized SolarGuard film on the front driver/passenger windows on my Sequoia. Local guy installed it for $25/window with a 10-year warranty... I've had it on 2-years now and it still looks as good as new.

[Agent WD-40]

i'm guessing you guys don't worry about having to get it taken off if a cop catches you?

I didn't go that dark for this very reason. I did want to block out the heat though and my tint does a great job of that. I realize that I might get nabbed for my tint and have to remove it, but I also fully realize those are the consequences for tinting my front windows.

[Sumo99]

i'm guessing you guys don't worry about having to get it taken off if a cop catches you?

I was talking to a CHP a couple of weeks ago, and he said if you got your windows smoked instead of tinted, they can not give you a ticket. I'm not sure whats involved in getting smoked windows instead of tinted, but he said tinting is illegal because the film can peel and reduce your vision. But, they still may pull you over.

[sequoiasoon]

I didn't go that dark for this very reason. I did want to block out the heat though and my tint does a great job of that. I realize that I might get nabbed for my tint and have to remove it, but I also fully realize those are the consequences for tinting my front windows.

I'll second that. Read all the linked posts and that's why I went with better tint in a lighter shade.

I was talking to a CHP a couple of weeks ago, and he said if you got your windows smoked instead of tinted, they can not give you a ticket. I'm not sure whats involved in getting smoked windows instead of tinted, but he said tinting is illegal because the film can peel and reduce your vision. But, they still may pull you over.

I've seen "smoked" once (besides the real smoked stuff at car fires ) it was a sprayed on version. Otherwise it would be moolded into the glass as the factory does with the deep tinted glass. They can write you a ticket if it does not meet the states legal requirements however it is put on. Thre always a chance I'll have to peel it but then again there's a larger chance for the disrespectful people with black or mirrored tint with illegal colored lights in all their signals.

[chrislloyd]

i'm guessing you guys don't worry about having to get it taken off if a cop catches you?

i also live in ca. i have had tinted windows (driver and pass side) for 10 years now. i have been pulled over for speeding tickets and stuff... and not hasseled about tint at all. UNTIL one day. im driving down the freeway. the cop is in the fast lane (motorcycle) i see him coming.. so im in the slow lane and about to get off the freeway. he comes over all 4 lanes.... and behind me. he turns his light on... pulls me over! i knew i wasnt speeding..... he gets up to my window... and asks me where my nevada plates are. as say HUH?? he says its illegal to have tinted windows in ca. i dont really say another word.

well its a fix it ticket.. remove it.. get it signed off.. pay 10 bucks and send the ticket in. well about 6 months later... i get a notice. says the fine has increased. pay $50 to close the case. thats it. i pay the 50 bucks. the fix it ticket is gone. it would have cost 100 plus to remove it.. plus another 100 to put it back on.

i had my tundra tinted 2 days after i got it. never had another problem.

[Agent WD-40]

chrislloyd, how dark was your tint when you got pulled over? Also how dark is the tint on your tundra currently?

[rn039]

Has anyone had aftermarket window tint film installed on their windows? I was wondering about the quality of the film and whether it "bubbles" or not. My neighbor had his front side windows tinted to look like the back seat windows on his DC, and I was thinking about doing the same. He says they are guaranteed not to bubble and if they do they will replace the film. That is fine, but I'd hate to be making a bunch of return trips to the shop that installs this... and then if they go out of business.. SOL...

Looking for input and recommendations.



Mike

Mike,

I personally went with dyed limo tint all the way around, since the metallized version of tints look odd to me on a black truck

[chrislloyd]

mine have always been 50%