Tinted windows
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 447
Tinted windows
Hey guys, every car I have ever owned has had window tint. Now with my 97 Torch Red C5, I cant decide on whether or not I like the look on the Coupes. I was wondering if you guys could post some pictures of torch red C5s with tinted windows. One's with wagon wheels are a plus 
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I have it on more for driving comfort and interior sun protection than I do for looks. Looks are just a bonus for me.
You'll get some pictures of a TR coupe with tint. Just keep at it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
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I think you better do a search. The matrix on the rear window
can be a challenge for alot of tinters. And I have seen alot of
bad tint jobs. Search.......................
can be a challenge for alot of tinters. And I have seen alot of
bad tint jobs. Search.......................
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Race Director
Joined: May 2010
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From: Winfield IN
Make sure you do your homework and shop around to find an experienced tinter who knows how to handle the DOT matrix on the rear window WITHOUT using vinyl. Keep in mind too that if you have a black interior, the tint will look slightly darker than the same percentage tint on a car with a tan interior. Here is my car with 35% on the sides and 20% on the rear window. The 20% on the rear makes the front 35% appear a tad bit darker too.
Stock "fish bowl" look
35% sides, 20% rear
Stock "fish bowl" look
35% sides, 20% rear
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The rear tint looks good on on a coupe as show in the above photos. Like was mentioned, be sure you find a tinter that really knows what they are doing as the hatch can be a challenge.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I don't think it's possible to tint without vinyl on the rear matrix. It just won't set up correctly.
Actually I've never seen a tint job without vinyl on a C5 that looked good. Maybe they exist but I've never seen it.
Actually I've never seen a tint job without vinyl on a C5 that looked good. Maybe they exist but I've never seen it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
Never seen one in person that would meet my expectations. But I'm very ****.
The tinter I use is a 30 yr veteran and he did a good job, but I chose to opt in the black vinyl at the top because the milar film showed very slight imperfections in the "matrix" area. Probably not something that anyone else would gratique, but I was not 100% satisfied.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Denver Colorado
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 470
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From: Saint Cloud Florida
Make sure you do your homework and shop around to find an experienced tinter who knows how to handle the DOT matrix on the rear window WITHOUT using vinyl. Keep in mind too that if you have a black interior, the tint will look slightly darker than the same percentage tint on a car with a tan interior. Here is my car with 35% on the sides and 20% on the rear window. The 20% on the rear makes the front 35% appear a tad bit darker too.
Stock "fish bowl" look
Stock "fish bowl" look
my question is how can I seek out a good tint person or what should I quiz them on before going thru with the job?
I am removing the old tint little by little by hand n it is a PITA!!
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
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From: Winfield IN
you need to find a new tint shop, my hatch widow has no vinyl and it looks great.....this was the day i had it tinted, you can see alittle separation in the middle, i was told by my tint installer to bring it back in about 3 days and he will finish laying it down. i did and when he was done the matrix was gone......
My rear window was tinted without using vinyl, and it turned out perfect and looks great. Check out my pictures ^^^ The guy used a glue to get it to adhere. The problem with using vinyl to cover up the DOT matrix is that if you will have a contrast where the tint meets the vinyl, and also the vinyl will block your vision in your rear view mirror.
Hey thats a great topic!!! the DOT matrix is what is causing the tint on my rear hatch to look aweful
my question is how can I seek out a good tint person or what should I quiz them on before going thru with the job?
I am removing the old tint little by little by hand n it is a PITA!!
my question is how can I seek out a good tint person or what should I quiz them on before going thru with the job?
I am removing the old tint little by little by hand n it is a PITA!!
A good tinter will have no problem and he will know exactly what you're talking about and sound confident when you mention it to him.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
The first time I had my rear window tinted, they covered the dot matrix with the film and it looked great for about a month and then the air-bubbles started to show up. I stripped the film off and painted the dot-matrix area with black glass paint (aerosol) from Ace Hardware then had it re-tinted. That was about 5 years ago - still looks great. Don't really notice it much in the rearview mirror at that flat angle.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
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From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
the question should not be "if" it should be "when". tint will make it look alot better.....period!
"sinister"? 
you have got to be kidding me... totally blacked out may be sinister looking but not just tinted.......
you have got to be kidding me... totally blacked out may be sinister looking but not just tinted.......
Last edited by hdff; Feb 27, 2012 at 03:03 AM.