Window tinting

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Slick Rick

Slick Rick

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I want to get my windows tinted soon but before I approach a company for a quote or anything I want to know a bit more about it so I dont seem stupid.
How do professionals tint your windows? I see pre cut films around that you can put on the inside of your car yourself but its very hard not to get bubbles and eventually they get discoloured and ive seen on some back windows they start cracking. Do professionals use a different method to tint windows because they look miles better than the diy ones. Oh yea, how much roughly would it cost to get all 5 windows on my car tinted?
 
May sound obvious but do check the company does the tinting within the law.

"The front passenger and driver side window can only be tinted no less than 70%. Rear windows can be treated in any shade of tint. Windscreens must be clear from tinting apart from a 6" strip across the top."
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From nightshadetinting website.
 
I tinted the rear windows on my old car myself without even taking them out and got mixed results. The first window I did was absolutely faultless, as in it looked like it was factory done. Unfortunately, this seemed a wild stroke of luck as the second window I did was far from perfect with some air bubbles that left marks when they went away. If I could have taken the windows out I reckon the job would have been a good 'un and there would have been no imperfections (it's also fun to do), but I would recommend gettting a pro to do it especially if it's a 100 quid or so to do and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
 
I have a mate who recently got it done. They heated his rear window to get the tint on, and any stickers he had on there went west.

I'd make sure you don't have any stickers on your window you want to keep if they use that method.
 
Don't tint your windows. It's pointless and out of style already. Unless you get the illegal ones, those are mad fresh. :)
 
Giancarlo
Don't tint your windows. It's pointless
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Other than it blocks out the sun, which cools the internal temperature of your car which means you don't use the aircon so much, which uses less fuel, which relieves the stress on the planet's fossil fuel reserves.
 
You should be able to find a reputable installer for around that range for a professional job. Some shops just starting out might even be less but don't have much references to check into. Ask to see their work, ask to see their shop. Is it clean? Dust is evil when it comes to tinting with film. Will they guarantee their work against bubbles, cracks, pealing under normal use? Check your local tint laws as some laws can vary, different states in the US for example can be more tolerant than others in regards to tinting.

I found an interesting site when I was researching tinting. You can find it here: http://www.tintcenter.com/
 
Rue
Other than it blocks out the sun, which cools the internal temperature of your car which means you don't use the aircon so much, which uses less fuel, which relieves the stress on the planet's fossil fuel reserves.
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A car gets heated up just by being outside, not only through the windows. At best it might be 2 or 3 degrees cooler in a car with tints, but you will barely notice it.
 
I like the privacy behind my tint.......not that I have anything to hide.
 
Giancarlo
Don't tint your windows. It's pointless and out of style already. Unless you get the illegal ones, those are mad fresh. :)
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Oh, yeah... I beg to differ. I have a black car and during the summer it's at least 5-10 COOLER than it would be if I didn't have the tint. Anytime if I'm in direct sunlight I can definitely tell the difference between the window up and down. That is of course if your tint isn't from walmart. xD
 
Yeah, I love the bubble effect along with the purple color that consumes the windows so the driver that can't drive in the first place can't see and then they hit you. :rolleyes:
 
I had my windows tinted at a Window specialty shop. They not only do vehicles, but office buildings. residential, that all they do is tint windows. Great job, no problems so far. Cose maybe 25-30% more than the stereo / tint installer shops but it was worth it, 2 years and no prolems so far ( except me chipping the drivers side tint with my seat belt ) Cost me $230.00 for a sentra rear and 4 side windows.
 
Thanks to car theft I only have 3 of the original 5 windows still tinted. :rolleyes:

Oddly though, you can't really tell what's tinted and what's not sometimes. I didn't go real dark but during the day and in the sunlight you can tell the difference.
 
I had a couple of my cars tinted for about $150 but that was at least 8 years ago. My best advice to you is do not go too dark on the back windows. You wont be able to see anything at night.
 
Rue
Other than it blocks out the sun, which cools the internal temperature of your car which means you don't use the aircon so much, which uses less fuel, which relieves the stress on the planet's fossil fuel reserves.
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+1.
Giancarlo
A car gets heated up just by being outside, not only through the windows. At best it might be 2 or 3 degrees cooler in a car with tints, but you will barely notice it.
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Um, I certainly have. I had the 5 tinted just a week or so after the new year, and I could tell the difference easily on days the sun was out, and the temp. was high.

The company I had it done through was also the primary tinter for the local dealers, so I had a lot of faith in them. Having bubbles shouldn't cause too much worry. They do go away.
 
*McLaren*
Um, I certainly have. I had the 5 tinted just a week or so after the new year, and I could tell the difference easily on days the sun was out, and the temp. was high.
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I think it's more psychological than anything else. You paid the money for it, so you want it to work of course.

But the fact is that cars are metal, rubber, and plastic, so they insulate heat very well. It's not just the glass that holds heat or lets heat pass through.

So - instead of getting a 3rd degree burn when entering my car, i get a 2nd degree burn after installing my tints. Is that really worth the money, poor visibility (and as a side note, it's illegal to put tint of any kind on your windshield anyway), and hassle you'll most likely get from cops?
 
if you want it cool in the car open a window and get some fresh air while your at it :dunce:
as if anyone gets tints for the temperature kind of "cool" anyway lmao
 
stumpydino
if you want it cool in the car open a window and get some fresh air while your at it :dunce:
as if anyone gets tints for the temperature kind of "cool" anyway lmao
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Cos that air will be really fresh in a blazing hot city like Bangkok, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo or Mexico City etc.
 
I used to work at a shop that installed, among other things, tint and while I didn't do the tinting, I watched and picked up plenty of tips. Typically the tint comes in a large roll, they cut off how much they need for a window and if need be heat the tint up to get it to stretch to fit the curve of the glass (usually only for the back glass). After the tint is fit, it is then cut to size, a clear backing is taken off and the tint is sprayed with a solution of baby shampoo and water. The solution allows the tint to be moved around into the right spot before it's squeegeed. Without the solution (or too little solution) the tint will stick instantly and you'll have to start all over.

It looks like local London tint law states that you can't have any tint on the front windows. Personally, I'd suggest that you have a UV film applied. It is essentially a 95% tint so it really doesn't do anything as far as decreasing vision. You can see the percentages here.

If money is an issue, and depending on the vehicle, you could always have a pro tint the back glass, as it is typically more difficult, and you could just buy tint from them and install the rest yourself.
 
If your car's radio/navigation/satellite antenna is embedded in the back window glass, like many cars have started to use in the past 5 years, avoid using window tint that has a high metallic content. If it's very reflective tint, it's going to cause interference issues with receiving transmissions. If you have a traditional "pole" or "rod" antenna, you'll be okay.

Oh, and don't be stupid...never tint your sunroof glass. You're asking for a $1000 repair later on down the road. Just close the shade instead.

Window tint is a must in South Florida, unless you only drive at night, and the car's in the shade or garaged all day. My car takes a lot less time to cool down thanks to the tint on all the windows.
 
Plus you can have sex in your car without anyone knowing it :).Always a good reason to have dark tints .
 
Giancarlo
I think it's more psychological than anything else. You paid the money for it, so you want it to work of course.

But the fact is that cars are metal, rubber, and plastic, so they insulate heat very well. It's not just the glass that holds heat or lets heat pass through.

So - instead of getting a 3rd degree burn when entering my car, i get a 2nd degree burn after installing my tints. Is that really worth the money, poor visibility (and as a side note, it's illegal to put tint of any kind on your windshield anyway), and hassle you'll most likely get from cops?
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Well, you're entitled to your opinion, but from my point of view as I have done it, I can easily say it does make a difference for me.

And when summer rolls along, I'll expect to have gotten my full money's worth. It's not like it cost me $195 (which is what dealers here charge, and ironically, take them to the same place I went).
 

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