Window Tinting
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Pickerington OH
Window Tinting
I have a VY Z06 and plan on keeping it for life. I have searched the site in regards to tinting windows and could not find an answer to the following questions:
Is the % of tint opposite to what I think? Example: 5% is darker than 35%, or would the higher percentage be the darker of the two?
Does the front window get tinted?
How long does the tint last? I work at night and garage during day?
Is one film better than another as far as quality? Price is not a consideration.
DOTS, I found threads to 3 different methods. Leave in sun for week and press film with micro fiber towel, paint the dots, or vinyl.
Indexing windows while the film dries. One thread said they remove the door panels to obtain full access to the side windows.
Warranty?
Price ranges? Columbus Ohio is where I live and would be willing to travel for a recommended installer.
Since I do most of my driving at night, what is the darkest I should go?
Cleaning? Special product, or can I continue to use Invisible Glass?
Any negative or remorseful results of window tinting?
Any and all advice greatly appreciated...Bob
Is the % of tint opposite to what I think? Example: 5% is darker than 35%, or would the higher percentage be the darker of the two?
Does the front window get tinted?
How long does the tint last? I work at night and garage during day?
Is one film better than another as far as quality? Price is not a consideration.
DOTS, I found threads to 3 different methods. Leave in sun for week and press film with micro fiber towel, paint the dots, or vinyl.
Indexing windows while the film dries. One thread said they remove the door panels to obtain full access to the side windows.
Warranty?
Price ranges? Columbus Ohio is where I live and would be willing to travel for a recommended installer.
Since I do most of my driving at night, what is the darkest I should go?
Cleaning? Special product, or can I continue to use Invisible Glass?
Any negative or remorseful results of window tinting?
Any and all advice greatly appreciated...Bob
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,822
Likes: 0
From: Death to TOOLS! NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
I have a VY Z06 and plan on keeping it for life. I have searched the site in regards to tinting windows and could not find an answer to the following questions:
Is the % of tint opposite to what I think? Example: 5% is darker than 35%, or would the higher percentage be the darker of the two?
Does the front window get tinted?
How long does the tint last? I work at night and garage during day?
Is one film better than another as far as quality? Price is not a consideration.
DOTS, I found threads to 3 different methods. Leave in sun for week and press film with micro fiber towel, paint the dots, or vinyl.
Indexing windows while the film dries. One thread said they remove the door panels to obtain full access to the side windows.
Warranty?
Price ranges? Columbus Ohio is where I live and would be willing to travel for a recommended installer.
Since I do most of my driving at night, what is the darkest I should go?
Cleaning? Special product, or can I continue to use Invisible Glass?
Any negative or remorseful results of window tinting?
Any and all advice greatly appreciated...Bob
Is the % of tint opposite to what I think? Example: 5% is darker than 35%, or would the higher percentage be the darker of the two?
Does the front window get tinted?
How long does the tint last? I work at night and garage during day?
Is one film better than another as far as quality? Price is not a consideration.
DOTS, I found threads to 3 different methods. Leave in sun for week and press film with micro fiber towel, paint the dots, or vinyl.
Indexing windows while the film dries. One thread said they remove the door panels to obtain full access to the side windows.
Warranty?
Price ranges? Columbus Ohio is where I live and would be willing to travel for a recommended installer.
Since I do most of my driving at night, what is the darkest I should go?
Cleaning? Special product, or can I continue to use Invisible Glass?
Any negative or remorseful results of window tinting?
Any and all advice greatly appreciated...Bob
Heres some of my experience....
5% very dark (limo) % is the amount of lite entered
Frt window does not get tinted, you would be hard pressed to find that legal in any of the 50 states. There are 2 marks on frt windshield, thats as low as tint can legally be placed.
Tint will last a long time if taken care of. NEVER use ammonia type products to clean inside of windows ie windex etc
Tons of different brands, LUMAR was always good to me, and came with lifetime warranty. Your installer is also key to this process!
I have 5% all around, very dark, just so you know!
Being born and raised in Ohio, I can tell you, local police and especially Ohio Highway Patrol, love tinted windows! Be prepared for some fix-it tickets.
Find a good installer, check warranty, buy their window cleaning products, and enjoy the tint. Coming back to Ohio in August, already know I'm getting a ticket, but love tinted windows!
Roadrage1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 20
From: Indiana
Had my windows tinted today, and they look terrible. I understand the dots on the back, but my drivers window has bubbles galore. This was done at a well known tint/protection/detailing/auto glass "International" business
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 19
From: ABQ NM
http://www.tintcenter.com/
I had 20% sides and 30% rear gray tint put on my '07 VY 1LT on advice from the tint guy at Horizon/Best Auto Glass in ABQ. I thought I wanted silver metallic tint but he said gray would match the 1LT interior better than silver. He recommended less tint on the rear, 30%, because the rake of the rear window makes it look darker than the side windows. He does a lot of C6s for dealers and knew how to do the rear glass correctly.
Horizon Auto Glass
8201 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-897-9000
I had 20% sides and 30% rear gray tint put on my '07 VY 1LT on advice from the tint guy at Horizon/Best Auto Glass in ABQ. I thought I wanted silver metallic tint but he said gray would match the 1LT interior better than silver. He recommended less tint on the rear, 30%, because the rake of the rear window makes it look darker than the side windows. He does a lot of C6s for dealers and knew how to do the rear glass correctly.
Horizon Auto Glass
8201 Menaul Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
505-897-9000
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 21
From: Napa Ca
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
I went back and forth on wanting to tint for a while. It's illegal to have any side tint here but I'm glad I went for it.
I did 20 on the back and 35 on the sides. I do a lot of driving at night, and I wouldn't want to go any darker than 35.
I think your hardest decision is finding someone who can do your rear winder properly. My tinter went over the dot matrix with the regular tint and did a very good job doing it. He spent 7 hours doing (mostly) my rear and even had to peel it off the first time because he burned the tint when he was heating it up to stick between the dots.
I'll post some pics. The first set of pics were taken about 45mins before the sun was down. The rest were taken about 2 hours before sundown (obviously tint changes drastically depending on how much light is getting to the car).
--------------------------
I did 20 on the back and 35 on the sides. I do a lot of driving at night, and I wouldn't want to go any darker than 35.
I think your hardest decision is finding someone who can do your rear winder properly. My tinter went over the dot matrix with the regular tint and did a very good job doing it. He spent 7 hours doing (mostly) my rear and even had to peel it off the first time because he burned the tint when he was heating it up to stick between the dots.
I'll post some pics. The first set of pics were taken about 45mins before the sun was down. The rest were taken about 2 hours before sundown (obviously tint changes drastically depending on how much light is getting to the car).
--------------------------
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 0
From: Issaquah WA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I have had the windows tinted on every car I've owned for the last twelve years or so. Lots of cars, BTW.
The tint appears darker if you have a dark interior, i.e. black. I would not go darker than allowed by law ... it's still going to look cool and help the A/C not work so hard. I had the rear window tinted waay darker than 35% once and it was hard to see backing up at night. The back up lights just aren't than bright.
I use (and this is the only thing I use it for) a chamois, damp, to wipe the interior of the windows. Works well.
Oh, check with high end car dealerships to see who they use for tinting. I found someone who comes to my house and does it.
Go for it ... a worthwhile expense.
The tint appears darker if you have a dark interior, i.e. black. I would not go darker than allowed by law ... it's still going to look cool and help the A/C not work so hard. I had the rear window tinted waay darker than 35% once and it was hard to see backing up at night. The back up lights just aren't than bright.
I use (and this is the only thing I use it for) a chamois, damp, to wipe the interior of the windows. Works well.
Oh, check with high end car dealerships to see who they use for tinting. I found someone who comes to my house and does it.
Go for it ... a worthwhile expense.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,822
Likes: 0
From: Death to TOOLS! NJ
St. Jude Donor '10
Don't get worried, you like it, tint it! Worth the occasional ticket to me for all the advantages of window tint. Same goes for frt plate, Ohio requires it, I choose to opt to roll the dice.
Last edited by Rage@AutoBuffs; Mar 11, 2008 at 09:20 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 801
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '10-'11
The percentage of tint is how much light comes through. So 5% is dark allowing only 5% of the light through.
I went with 5 on sides and rear, and 43 on entire winshield. I dont like people looking in.
I went with 5 on sides and rear, and 43 on entire winshield. I dont like people looking in.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
I did'nt do the side's just the rear, my tinter painted the dot matrix. he used ceramic tint as dark as they make it, $250.00, garaunteed for life!!! he's been doing it for about 10 years and he'll be around for longer than that, look for that in a shop.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,036
Likes: 17,915
From: DFW Area TX
See embedded answers:
I have a VY Z06 and plan on keeping it for life. I have searched the site in regards to tinting windows and could not find an answer to the following questions:
Is the % of tint opposite to what I think? Example: 5% is darker than 35%, or would the higher percentage be the darker of the two? Tint is measured by the amount of Visible Light Transmission. Thus 5% tint allows only 5% of visible light to pass through, whereas 35% tint allows 35% of visible light to pass though. Therefore, the lower the number, the darker the tint. Also, this only applies to visible light transmission. Most tints block 99% or more of ultraviolet light that causes fading of fabrics, etc.
Does the front window get tinted? Most states only allow tint to be applied to the top of the front windshield (to the AS1 line). look closely at your windshield and you will see the AS1 line marked about 5" from the top of the windshield.
How long does the tint last? I work at night and garage during day? Good tint carries a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer (not from the installer). It really does not matter if the installer is still around or not. The warranty will be valid at any installer that uses film from that manufacturer (I have put this to the test, having some tint replaced under warranty at a different installer).
Is one film better than another as far as quality? Price is not a consideration. Just make sure you get a film that carries a lifetime guarantee against fading, color change, bubbling and peeling.
DOTS, I found threads to 3 different methods. Leave in sun for week and press film with micro fiber towel, paint the dots, or vinyl. All three methods will work, as will applying glue stick to the dot area before applying the tint (this has been posted here before). Another option is sanding down the dots.
Indexing windows while the film dries. One thread said they remove the door panels to obtain full access to the side windows. No door dis-assembly is required. A good installer can install the tint on vehicles with window indexing (other cars have this feature).
Warranty? As stated earlier, look for a lifetime warranty from the film manufacturer.
Price ranges? Columbus Ohio is where I live and would be willing to travel for a recommended installer. $250-$350 tops.
Since I do most of my driving at night, what is the darkest I should go? To be legal in Ohio, your front side windows must allow at least 50% visible light transmission. Furthermore, in Ohio this is measured as the NET of the tint and the window (which has some tinting already).
Cleaning? Special product, or can I continue to use Invisible Glass? Avoid any cleaner with ammonia.
Any negative or remorseful results of window tinting? Never.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated...Bob
Is the % of tint opposite to what I think? Example: 5% is darker than 35%, or would the higher percentage be the darker of the two? Tint is measured by the amount of Visible Light Transmission. Thus 5% tint allows only 5% of visible light to pass through, whereas 35% tint allows 35% of visible light to pass though. Therefore, the lower the number, the darker the tint. Also, this only applies to visible light transmission. Most tints block 99% or more of ultraviolet light that causes fading of fabrics, etc.
Does the front window get tinted? Most states only allow tint to be applied to the top of the front windshield (to the AS1 line). look closely at your windshield and you will see the AS1 line marked about 5" from the top of the windshield.
How long does the tint last? I work at night and garage during day? Good tint carries a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer (not from the installer). It really does not matter if the installer is still around or not. The warranty will be valid at any installer that uses film from that manufacturer (I have put this to the test, having some tint replaced under warranty at a different installer).
Is one film better than another as far as quality? Price is not a consideration. Just make sure you get a film that carries a lifetime guarantee against fading, color change, bubbling and peeling.
DOTS, I found threads to 3 different methods. Leave in sun for week and press film with micro fiber towel, paint the dots, or vinyl. All three methods will work, as will applying glue stick to the dot area before applying the tint (this has been posted here before). Another option is sanding down the dots.
Indexing windows while the film dries. One thread said they remove the door panels to obtain full access to the side windows. No door dis-assembly is required. A good installer can install the tint on vehicles with window indexing (other cars have this feature).
Warranty? As stated earlier, look for a lifetime warranty from the film manufacturer.
Price ranges? Columbus Ohio is where I live and would be willing to travel for a recommended installer. $250-$350 tops.
Since I do most of my driving at night, what is the darkest I should go? To be legal in Ohio, your front side windows must allow at least 50% visible light transmission. Furthermore, in Ohio this is measured as the NET of the tint and the window (which has some tinting already).
Cleaning? Special product, or can I continue to use Invisible Glass? Avoid any cleaner with ammonia.
Any negative or remorseful results of window tinting? Never.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated...Bob
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 2
In IL. tint on the sides is illegal, the shop will do it but I have to sign a waver. I'm doing 20-35% not sure yet, I'm going to let it warm up a bit. Cost is $190 sides and rear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: MN
I like my LMB with 30% tint on the sides and rear. My only problem was that, on the first attempt, the installer used my rear deck as a cutting board trying to get the rear tint to fit correctly. The glass was actually gouged by a cutting blade (probably a little dull). The result? The dealership had to buy and install a new rear glass ($$$), and I got a free tint job for my troubles. The rear glass is notoriously hard to install, so choose an installer with experience and patience - don't rush it. Anyone who says it only takes an hour is lying.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I forget what percentage of tint I went with, but on the lower right hand corner of the side windows is the shop info along with the percentage of tint. From what I have heard this is a law, not sure if it's everywhere but in Texas that's what they used. Whatever the darkest legal tint in Texas is what is on my car, in ceramic; it looks good against my Machine Silver paint.
JR
JR