tinting windows
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: edgewater florida
tinting windows
Looking for some input on tinting the windows of my recently purchased '06. Since I'm in the sunshine state, window tinting is nearly a must. My wife is pushing for it and I'm alittle reluctant since I believe the owners manual recommends against it, and how well does it do with the rear window defrost elements. How about the effect on your vision with the auto dimming mirrors? We plan on keeping this vette for some time. What do you say?
CF Lifetime Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 6
From: Westlake Village CA
Do it, I have mine tinted 20% all the way around. It does not mess with the defrosting of the windows and in terms of visibility, I do need to roll down my windows and use the mirrors at night when I reverse as my tint is pretty dark. Other than that its well worth it.
Keeps the car cool
Keeps the car cool
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: naples fl
I would go with a very light tint. (which I did) I think there is like 20, 30,and 40%. I'm not sure which is the lightest, but I wanted it to look just a little darker than factory. I had to special order it because most tinting places don't carry it. No problems day or night or with the rear defroster.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 11
From: Beverly Hills, MI
Do it, I have mine tinted 20% all the way around. It does not mess with the defrosting of the windows and in terms of visibility, I do need to roll down my windows and use the mirrors at night when I reverse as my tint is pretty dark. Other than that its well worth it.
Keeps the car cool
Keeps the car cool
I only tinted the rear window at 20% (laws in Michigan). No adverse affects other than it is sometimes difficult to see out the rear in certain lighting conditions (when it's dark out and I'm trying to back out of somewhere). Side mirrors are a good second option in those situations. No issues wih the the rear window defrost. Just be careful with who you use if you want to go with a 1-piece tint film. It is rather time consuming to do it right (about 1.5-2 hours work).
Last edited by inthehunt2; Feb 1, 2010 at 09:24 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 11
From: Beverly Hills, MI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
Put a piece of black vinyl on the dot matrix of the rear window. Tint will not stick to it very well. Go to a local sign printing shop, they should be able to help you out. Local shop here gave me the piece.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 207
Likes: 1
From: Little River SC
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. If you find the right person, they can make it work without taking the easy was out and covering it with vinyl. This is why it pays to be selective in finding someone who can do it right.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 180
From: Payson AZ
wouldn't be without it..
Got it on both cars.. and love it. Takes a bit getting used to when driving at night, but helps keep the car cooler, and protects your interior from the UV.. IF you get a good quality product..
I have the 3M Color Stable 20 on all windows.. Love it!
Plus it really adds to the looks of your car.. and besides Vettes HAVE to have tinted windows.. it's the law!
I have the 3M Color Stable 20 on all windows.. Love it!
Plus it really adds to the looks of your car.. and besides Vettes HAVE to have tinted windows.. it's the law!
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: edgewater florida
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Living in southern Arizona (the other 'sunshine' state) window tinting is virtually mandatory. I used darker tint on the back, hatch glass (compared to the side windows) but nowhere near blackout 'limo' tint. I value being able to see out at night. I think I've only used the glass defroster once but in all the years I've never experienced any problems resulting from window tint.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Grovetown GA
Originally Posted by Halo 2
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. If you find the right person, they can make it work without taking the easy was out and covering it with vinyl. This is why it pays to be selective in finding someone who can do it right.
I really wish it was that easy (but, as usual, I was also pressed for time, and after 6 places I was DONE. I settled for a bit of air and the 20% I wanted, and the rest of the guy's work was AWESOME.
Now I just got to get the vinyl to complete the back.....
So, to the OP, here's 20% all around on Black C6 (with 35% on the front windshield--YES, I know that is not legal, but neither is speeding!):
As with other posts here, you go THIS dark, you will
a) need to roll windows down at night to reverse, and
b) need to give yourself a bit of time to get used to driving at night, fog, and rain.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville Florida
I also live in Florida and have tinted windows on every car I have owned for more that 20 years. I had my 2007 Vert tinted and because of the Nav, On Star, satellite radio, etc., the shop strongly recommended that I use a high end ceramic based tint. Apparently, many of the lesser cost tints are metallic based and can cause electronic signal issues. The cost was really not all that different and the ceramic tint caused NO problem at all with the electronics. I have not had much of any issue with diminished vision on any of my cars - sort of like wearing sun glasses. 