Only side windows tinted?
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2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Only side windows tinted?
I got a Yellow Coupe and just set up an appointment to get the side windows tinted and not the back window. Getting ceramic tint at 35% as that is what is legal in my state and I don't want to give our wonderful policemen any other reason to pull me over besides driving the speed limit in a super bright colored sports car.
Heard some stories about how the back hatch window of the C5 being tinted can not last long if not done right, the "dots" at the top making the tint not stick correctly. Also I worry about ruining the heating defroster element, not that I ever get ice / snow on my corvette but I will drive it in cold / below freezing if the roads are clear. My vette is garaged when I am not driving it.
Anyone here get just the side windows tinted and how does it look?
Also anyone with 35% tint on their C5 and what are your thoughts?
Pictures would be nice to see too
Heard some stories about how the back hatch window of the C5 being tinted can not last long if not done right, the "dots" at the top making the tint not stick correctly. Also I worry about ruining the heating defroster element, not that I ever get ice / snow on my corvette but I will drive it in cold / below freezing if the roads are clear. My vette is garaged when I am not driving it.
Anyone here get just the side windows tinted and how does it look?
Also anyone with 35% tint on their C5 and what are your thoughts?
Pictures would be nice to see too
Last edited by MosEspa; Aug 1, 2023 at 08:14 PM.
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From: Virginia
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It's your car, so as long as it's legal do whatever makes you happy. If you want the back glass tinted, it can be done. However, as you've said, there are challenges involved. You need to find a shop that knows how to do it right. To be honest, I don't think tinting just the side windows is going to make a big difference in terms of interior heat. The rear hatch is a bit of a greenhouse.
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Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Northern Nevada
I found that calling the actual shops that specialized in window tint and asking them if they've ever done a C5 hatchback was my best option. I spent a couple hours calling every place within 150 miles of me and finally found a guy in Carson City Nevada that specialized in exotics. However, it still took him two trys to get the top of the hatch right. In the end, it costed me a bit more, but well worth it to not have the bubbles by the dots. I went with 15% ceramic on the back and sides.
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2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I found that calling the actual shops that specialized in window tint and asking them if they've ever done a C5 hatchback was my best option. I spent a couple hours calling every place within 150 miles of me and finally found a guy in Carson City Nevada that specialized in exotics. However, it still took him two trys to get the top of the hatch right. In the end, it costed me a bit more, but well worth it to not have the bubbles by the dots. I went with 15% ceramic on the back and sides.
I am going to keep my appointment and see how she looks with just the two sides done. I feel like it won't bother me too much, if I do decide to get the hatch done I will take your advise and call people to see if they have ever done a C5 before. Thanks.
I am not really doing it for heat, though that is a bonus. I just hate feeling like I am in a fish-bowl while driving down the road. From the back, its angled so much I don't feel like tint would make a huge difference there anyways. Will see how it goes.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2023
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From: DMV
I have the rear window tinted, and where it lays over the matrix dots doesnt look great. I was advised that you can lay a vinyl strip either in black or to color match the car to cover it up, which I am in the process of doing. Im going to go with black as to blend with the window better. I have always tinted my cars- and depending on your state, just having tint isnt the sole reason they can pull you over- it usually secondary violation. Although I hear the concern about not wanting Johnny Law any excuse to pull you over regardless.
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I’m not sure that just tinting the side windows will look OK, but then again I do not recall seeing a vehicle with the tint applied that way. Give it a try - if you don’t like it, you can either take the tint off or add tint to the back hatch.
