Window Tinting on C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 242
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From: Huntington Beach CA
Window Tinting on C5
I just had my windows tinted on my C5. The tinting guy did a fantastic job and did something else that I thought was unique. Since our back window has so many little bumps due to the rear antenna he actually used a window paint because he says the tint film tends to let go with time. He says he used to sand a portion of it but overall it tended to let go with time abd this process has proven more effective. It looks great and I couldn't be happier. Anyway, if you are thinking about tinting please make sure the guy doing it knows all the ins and out and you don't end up with a f-ed up rear window.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Los Angeles
i had a guy in longbeach tint my windows earlier this year...he did a great job and gave me an overview of what he'd have 2 do w/the rear window bcuz of the dot matrix....i dont remember all the specifics but it came out really well.....he said the rear window on a vette/coupe is 1 of the more difficult vehicles....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Hi Bear ... sorry but paint? 
I'm not trying burst your bubble.
My brother's been in the business for about 18 years (I was for several years) and that's a
The chemicals in the paint (over time) will affect the film. Tint is a plastic product ... paint has properties which can be corrosive to certain plastics.
My brother's workers do one piece back windows. If they know how and what to do, it's done in one piece without problems. He did mine and several other CFer's.
I hope you got a lifetime warranty on this guys work. Please feel free to PM any Q's. Merry Xmas.
Dave Q.
I'm not trying burst your bubble.My brother's been in the business for about 18 years (I was for several years) and that's a
The chemicals in the paint (over time) will affect the film. Tint is a plastic product ... paint has properties which can be corrosive to certain plastics.My brother's workers do one piece back windows. If they know how and what to do, it's done in one piece without problems. He did mine and several other CFer's.
I hope you got a lifetime warranty on this guys work. Please feel free to PM any Q's. Merry Xmas.
Dave Q.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I have a solid black vinyl piece over the dots in the back.
Looks
and will not come off.
EG
Looks
and will not come off.EG
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
I have a solid black vinyl piece over the dots in the back.
Looks and will not come off.
EG
Looks
and will not come off.EG
Dave Q.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,369
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From: Cranford, New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
MyVetteDream....is there a specific way the back window should be tinted, or any suggestions as to how to keep the tint from coming off? I am about to get my tinted any suggestions would be great.
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by BeastieBoys21
MyVetteDream....is there a specific way the back window should be tinted, or any suggestions as to how to keep the tint from coming off? I am about to get my tinted any suggestions would be great.
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Not a lot you can do, except get good film (i.e. Johnson). The rest is up to the installer <---Here's where experience counts. The Johnson film grabbed between the dots and I have no "border" of bubble. If they tell you it's not possible, find another shop.
Tint doesn't just come off ... a lot of people may end up using a cleaner with ammonia which dries the film and causes it to fade (become purple), cracking which leads to bubbling. Finally, it just becomes that blurred mess we've all seen on other cars.
I use "Stoners" window cleaner (Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc.) You can use about any cleaner that says "Safe for tinted windows", but I usually use water and a microfiber cloth on the inside of the window, unless there is some serious gunk on my window.
Dave Q.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Cranford, New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
Yeah, but how do you find a good installer?
That's why my windows aren't tinted right now. I'm scared that I won't get a good job.
That's why my windows aren't tinted right now. I'm scared that I won't get a good job.
Thats EXACTLY why i am still without tinted windows myself, they guy who did the windows on my jeep did a good job, but i dont trust him with my REAL car.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
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I had mine done by a place that does all our work cars. They did good work in the past but I'm not happy with the top of the rear window in my Vette.
I've heard you can have 2 Vettes done at the same time and 1 will look good and 1 won't.
There are theories about vinyl, sanding down the dots, special glues, paint, etc.
I can live with mine but it does bug me. I spend many hours cleaning her up on weekends but I can't do anything about the tint.
I've heard you can have 2 Vettes done at the same time and 1 will look good and 1 won't.
There are theories about vinyl, sanding down the dots, special glues, paint, etc.
I can live with mine but it does bug me. I spend many hours cleaning her up on weekends but I can't do anything about the tint.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 128
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From: Cape Coral FL
I have used my tint guy on numerous vehicles over the last several years, also on yachts. He does great work and does the rear window in three sections, I think he said it was due to the extreme curve in the window. Doesn't really matter why, it just looks good and has a lifetime warranty 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I always thougth the little dots on the back window were a part of the rear defrost...my antenna is in my windshield. I have a buddy who had his tinted and his guy did a good job also, but tinted just around those dots neatly so you can barely tell.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
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From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
With a little work on your part you can have a good tint job on the rear window.
Just purchase one of the tools they use to smooth out the tint with and right after you get it home park in the sun and let it get hot then start smoothing out the tint over the dots. It'll take about a week for all the water to evaporate through the film so you can do a little every day.
In some difficult areas the thumb will work also, I have had 5 GM cars with the dots tinted over the years and they all looked great.
For cleaning I use Solar Majik silicone cleaner purchased from Auto Ameristar.
Just purchase one of the tools they use to smooth out the tint with and right after you get it home park in the sun and let it get hot then start smoothing out the tint over the dots. It'll take about a week for all the water to evaporate through the film so you can do a little every day.
In some difficult areas the thumb will work also, I have had 5 GM cars with the dots tinted over the years and they all looked great.
For cleaning I use Solar Majik silicone cleaner purchased from Auto Ameristar.
