Tinted Windshields
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From: Republic of Texas
Tinted Windshields
Has anyone tinted their windshield? There are a few states where there are no laws on this, but most states allow you to tint from the top to the AS-1 line.
Any pics of either would be appreciated. I'm giving serious thought to the AS-1 "band"
Any pics of either would be appreciated. I'm giving serious thought to the AS-1 "band"
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 549
Likes: 44
From: Houston TX
I don't have any pics, but I have seen a few cars with tint at the top. Depending on how dark of tint you choose, it can be very subtle. The darker tints tend to look almost like black vinyl across the the top of windshield. I'll see if I can dig up some pics from somewhere.
For what it's worth, anything above the AS-1 line can be completely covered, painted, etc. and still be legal (and pass inspection). However, I have heard of a few people being harassed by state troopers for it, even if it was just dark tint.
For what it's worth, anything above the AS-1 line can be completely covered, painted, etc. and still be legal (and pass inspection). However, I have heard of a few people being harassed by state troopers for it, even if it was just dark tint.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
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From: Redding CA
Keeps the glare down and keeps it cooler inside but the look is just sweet and it's kinda cool pulling up and people having no idea who it is at night
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,011
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From: Greenville SC
St. Jude Donor '10
I thought all Vettes had this but I looked on the net just now and I guess they don't.
Mine came with it but it's not quite all the way to the AS1 line, here's a pic for ya although not real close up.
Mine came with it but it's not quite all the way to the AS1 line, here's a pic for ya although not real close up.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 448
Likes: 29
From: Regina SK
My whole windshield is tinted, bought the car like this. I'd rather take the tint off, but it looks like the windshield was removed to do it. It would be a fair bit of work to take it off. Whoever did it, did an amazing job, as I didn't notice it was tinted until 4 months after owning a car when a glass buddy of mine said "that windshield is definitely tinted". Here, I was thinking the C5 headlights really sucked.
It's absolutely great during the day in the summer, keeps the car cooler and looks great. It is NOT good for any night driving.
Car is a toy car, don't drive it much, and hardly ever at night, so it doesn't bother me.
When you see it beside my other car, it is quite noticeable.
It's absolutely great during the day in the summer, keeps the car cooler and looks great. It is NOT good for any night driving.
Car is a toy car, don't drive it much, and hardly ever at night, so it doesn't bother me.
When you see it beside my other car, it is quite noticeable.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 549
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From: Houston TX
I know a couple guys who have tinted the whole windshield in their cars, but they all used a very light, heat-rejecting tint. You can't even tell they're tinted, but they say it does wonders for keeping cabin temps down.
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From: Republic of Texas
My whole windshield is tinted, bought the car like this. I'd rather take the tint off, but it looks like the windshield was removed to do it. It would be a fair bit of work to take it off. Whoever did it, did an amazing job, as I didn't notice it was tinted until 4 months after owning a car when a glass buddy of mine said "that windshield is definitely tinted". Here, I was thinking the C5 headlights really sucked.
It's absolutely great during the day in the summer, keeps the car cooler and looks great. It is NOT good for any night driving.
It's absolutely great during the day in the summer, keeps the car cooler and looks great. It is NOT good for any night driving.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 509
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From: The Ham AL
here's mine... it actually goes a little below the as-1 line, but it isn't intrusive at all... thinking about removing it to tint the whole windshield though. having said that, it might be a challenge... i've talked to a few tint shops and most say they cant do it because of the steep rake of the windshield... ? 
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Thread Starter
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From: Republic of Texas
Any guess on the cost of the "uni-brow" tinting?
MightyDuc: i really like your tint job, especially since it goes around the perimeter of the windshield and not just the top.
MightyDuc: i really like your tint job, especially since it goes around the perimeter of the windshield and not just the top.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 549
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From: Houston TX
The black strip that goes down the side and along the bottom is part of the original windshield. Unless I'm mistaken about what you're referring to... I'm guessing yours was replaced at some point?
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From: Republic of Texas
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Katy TX
St. Jude Donor '12
Andrew had his whole windshield tinted. Even as a cop, he finally got hassled enough that he took it off. He said it was a bear to drive at night and he often avoided it. If he ever comes back to finish his install, you can quiz him on it.
I had the brow put in my Jetta when the windows were tinted a couple months ago. Cost like $30-40 for nice ceramic tint. Looks great.
chris
I had the brow put in my Jetta when the windows were tinted a couple months ago. Cost like $30-40 for nice ceramic tint. Looks great.
chris
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From: Republic of Texas
Andrew had his whole windshield tinted. Even as a cop, he finally got hassled enough that he took it off. He said it was a bear to drive at night and he often avoided it. If he ever comes back to finish his install, you can quiz him on it.
I had the brow put in my Jetta when the windows were tinted a couple months ago. Cost like $30-40 for nice ceramic tint. Looks great.
chris
I had the brow put in my Jetta when the windows were tinted a couple months ago. Cost like $30-40 for nice ceramic tint. Looks great.
chris
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 64
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From: Long Beach Island NJ
I have mine done at 35 percent and the sides at 20 percent. You can see me in the day and even at night. I like it just to take the extra glare out and makes the summer sun easier on the insides lol. Ill try to post up pics of before and after
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
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From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
I had windshield tint and a 13" unibrow. Didn't cost much more than $140 to have the windshield, uni, and two sides done.
I have not and will not put one inch of tint on the Z. After all the potential incidents and hazards at night, especially in unfamiliar territory, I would NOT advise it. It is a safety hazard.
You can't see the way you should be able to. Sure, it looks cool. In the summer it may even help keep the car cool. Nobody can see you if you like to be "incognito"-- thats the 'upside'
The downside is (like I said) driving in unfamiliar territory (especially with a DD)-- speeding (which we NEVER do)-- and the potential for tickets with broke-*** cities and counties that can't wait to write you for anything possible. Even side window tint can be a biotch.
How many times have you had to roll down the window just to be sure of something like a high curb? Maybe you actually want to be seen from time to time?
Screw it, it ain't worth it.
I have not and will not put one inch of tint on the Z. After all the potential incidents and hazards at night, especially in unfamiliar territory, I would NOT advise it. It is a safety hazard.
You can't see the way you should be able to. Sure, it looks cool. In the summer it may even help keep the car cool. Nobody can see you if you like to be "incognito"-- thats the 'upside'
The downside is (like I said) driving in unfamiliar territory (especially with a DD)-- speeding (which we NEVER do)-- and the potential for tickets with broke-*** cities and counties that can't wait to write you for anything possible. Even side window tint can be a biotch.
How many times have you had to roll down the window just to be sure of something like a high curb? Maybe you actually want to be seen from time to time?
Screw it, it ain't worth it.
Last edited by tricep; Aug 31, 2010 at 02:51 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
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From: Minneapolis MN
Are you planning on doing this for looks or function?
I agree with the rest that it would cut down on visibility at night but with your headlamp set up that might not be a big deal. It looks really cool and I don't think you have to go super dark to get the "look" and the "function". Even something like 35% will make a big difference in appearance and heat in the summer.
My question is how is a cop going to check it to make sure it is tinted? Well, let me rephrase that. How is going to PROVE it is tinted? The machine I am familiar with goes over a window that is half way down and then passes light through to determine what the tint level is. As far as I know you can't check glass that is set in.
Now if you go way dark and it is obvious, that's one thing. But like the guy with the red vette and mitsu said, he didn't even know his was tinted for the first few months of ownership. It would be easy to play dumb and say you bought the car like that and you had no idea that it may have been tinted.
I agree with the rest that it would cut down on visibility at night but with your headlamp set up that might not be a big deal. It looks really cool and I don't think you have to go super dark to get the "look" and the "function". Even something like 35% will make a big difference in appearance and heat in the summer.
My question is how is a cop going to check it to make sure it is tinted? Well, let me rephrase that. How is going to PROVE it is tinted? The machine I am familiar with goes over a window that is half way down and then passes light through to determine what the tint level is. As far as I know you can't check glass that is set in.
Now if you go way dark and it is obvious, that's one thing. But like the guy with the red vette and mitsu said, he didn't even know his was tinted for the first few months of ownership. It would be easy to play dumb and say you bought the car like that and you had no idea that it may have been tinted.
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From: Republic of Texas
This is for both form and function. I love the look and in hot summers, my steering wheel will get so hot i can't touch it until the AC's been blasting it for like 5 minutes. (driving gloves are needed)
For those concerned with headlights....here's what i normally see:
130 degree+ Spread of 5000K 55w HID (roughly 6000 lumens total output)
For those concerned with headlights....here's what i normally see:
130 degree+ Spread of 5000K 55w HID (roughly 6000 lumens total output)
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,718
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From: Katy TX
St. Jude Donor '12
That made it worse and is why he added those driving lights to the front (that he finally got concealed in the grill). But before he tinted the headlights he said he didn't drive at night. If you do it, maybe pretty light.
Or if you are so worried about heat while parking can I recommend a sun shade. It works very well. I've had several over the years.
chris
Or if you are so worried about heat while parking can I recommend a sun shade. It works very well. I've had several over the years.
chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
Well, I would not suggest that you knowingly break the law and then lie just to be cool. Here is the Texas window tinting law:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/misc/faq/tint.htm
I am in West Texas and know how hot it can get. I would tint the sides and back as dark as you can legally and the get a reflective sunshade made for the vette to keep the sun off of the dash. Put a towel over the steering wheel to keep it cool.
Lately our police force has been out writing a lot more tickets. State revenue is down, crime seems to be ticking up a bit with folks out of work and getting desperate. Don't go below that ANS-1 line, they will see it and stop you.
Looks like you can't go darker than 25% on the sides.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/misc/faq/tint.htm
I am in West Texas and know how hot it can get. I would tint the sides and back as dark as you can legally and the get a reflective sunshade made for the vette to keep the sun off of the dash. Put a towel over the steering wheel to keep it cool.
Lately our police force has been out writing a lot more tickets. State revenue is down, crime seems to be ticking up a bit with folks out of work and getting desperate. Don't go below that ANS-1 line, they will see it and stop you.
Looks like you can't go darker than 25% on the sides.
Are you planning on doing this for looks or function?
I agree with the rest that it would cut down on visibility at night but with your headlamp set up that might not be a big deal. It looks really cool and I don't think you have to go super dark to get the "look" and the "function". Even something like 35% will make a big difference in appearance and heat in the summer.
My question is how is a cop going to check it to make sure it is tinted? Well, let me rephrase that. How is going to PROVE it is tinted? The machine I am familiar with goes over a window that is half way down and then passes light through to determine what the tint level is. As far as I know you can't check glass that is set in.
Now if you go way dark and it is obvious, that's one thing. But like the guy with the red vette and mitsu said, he didn't even know his was tinted for the first few months of ownership. It would be easy to play dumb and say you bought the car like that and you had no idea that it may have been tinted.
I agree with the rest that it would cut down on visibility at night but with your headlamp set up that might not be a big deal. It looks really cool and I don't think you have to go super dark to get the "look" and the "function". Even something like 35% will make a big difference in appearance and heat in the summer.
My question is how is a cop going to check it to make sure it is tinted? Well, let me rephrase that. How is going to PROVE it is tinted? The machine I am familiar with goes over a window that is half way down and then passes light through to determine what the tint level is. As far as I know you can't check glass that is set in.
Now if you go way dark and it is obvious, that's one thing. But like the guy with the red vette and mitsu said, he didn't even know his was tinted for the first few months of ownership. It would be easy to play dumb and say you bought the car like that and you had no idea that it may have been tinted.