Pimp my ride...window tint

[oldmako]

Well not exactly PIMP since I am a 50 year old white dude...but I am thinking of having the windows tinted. I've never had a car with tinted windows so I know nothing about having it done. Any suggestions or pitfalls or things to stay away from?? How long will it last before it starts to look shabby. And lastly, ballpark what have you guys paid to have it done??

ps My car is black. I'm thinking just a black shade or perhaps one with a touch of mirror to accent the chrome.
Modified by oldmako at 3:41 PM 12/11/2007

[maxnix]

Four Words:

Hüper Optik Stark 30

Best infrared heat rejection (almost any film will reject UVA and most UVB), but not dark (30% transmission).

[heywier427]

average price in ct is 100-150 but it can go upwards of 300+ depending on material.

my g50 was 145 with a few options added on.

the only downfall is reduced visability at night, specificly backing up. but it all depends on the % of tint. lower the number i.e. 5% the darker the tint. higher the #, lighter the tint. legal % is usually 35% and reputable tint shops wont go any lower. its gonna be dark enough on a black car.

and my personal opinion is to not go with the chrome. it breaks up the mid body line of the car.

and as far as how long it takes to look crappy. it will depend on how much sun the car sees, and your method of cleaning them. do not use amonia or alchol. ive had mine on for 7 years. its looks as black as the first day.

[brymax]

I would say definitely don't go for the cheap deal. A good tint job should cost some dough. Mine was $160. I actually had to have the fronts re-done due to a flaw in the tint. There were little horizontal scratches in the tint. Check with the installer prior to install to see what their policy is on the tint job and possible flaws, cuz you might not see a problem until after the tint has had a few days to completely cure.

Also keep in mind, if there is any crap down in your window, it may cause some scratches on the tint. Check to see if they do any kind of prep to the inside of the window track prior to install. Trust me. Horizantal scratches they'll probably cover, but any vertical scratches will be blamed on something inside your door. Really look at the window close when you go pick up the car.

I went limo black in the back and 1 shade lighter in the front. Visability is shot with even low % tint, so you might as well go all the way. Forget trying to spot cops behind you in the dark, so slow down.

Good luck there pimp daddy!

[Q451990]

I am a huge fan of window tint. Once you get it you'll never go back... I feel naked driving in an untinted car.

If you get a good quality tint, it won't look crappy for a long time... probably never. Most good tint manufacturers have a lifetime warranty against peeling, bubbling, etc.

I echo Brian's advice on the Huper Optik... I have it on both the Q and G. The truck got DIY Wal-Mart tint. Poor bast...child of the fleet

Heath

[oldmako]

Wow, all great advice many thanks.

I am surprised that it's that cheap. I figured several hundred bucks at least. I'm pretty anal about obscured vision through windows and glasses so I'll gladly pay for a quality job.

I'll check out some of the local shops and make sure the window tracks are clean before I head out to have it done.

I may go lighter front & rear windows and darker on the sides because I plan on driving on the interstate at a sprightly pace. I like to be able to ID the cars behind me because I hate to give the Governor any cash. In Virginia radar detectors are illegal, so one needs to be alert (or risk confiscation).

[MR. Q]

I paid $220 for my tints

[TBrack]

I paid $200 for 10% to the sides and back window, came with a lifetime warranty for any bubbles or peals. Had it a year now and I absolutely love it. I believe mine is called LLumar film which is a very reputable brand.

http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/auto.html

:edit: wow good job bringing back a 2 month old thread

[Haitian_King]

Seriously. I thoought this was a new one. I was like "How did I miss this!?!"

[AlabamaDan]

I love tinted windows, but I haven't had any in years. On my old muscle car I had 5% on the sides, 20% on the back and 35% on the front. It was great. You couldn't see inside at all from the outside.

From the inside I agree the only downfall is reduced visability at night, specificly backing up. My old car had a rear window alot like the Q, so backing up at night will be a BEACH!

Cops cracked down on it here alot and only allow the 35% which is like a dirty window after having 5%.

[Haitian_King]

I love tinted windows, but I haven't had any in years. On my old muscle car I had 5% on the sides, 20% on the back and 35% on the front. It was great. You couldn't see inside at all from the outside.

From the inside I agree the only downfall is reduced visability at night, specificly backing up. My old car had a rear window alot like the Q, so backing up at night will be a BEACH!

Cops cracked down on it here alot and only allow the 35% which is like a dirty window after having 5%.

I plan on getting 5% all around and a lighter 35% on the front doors. The windshield I'll leave alone. I was quoted a $200 for the Q along with a lifetime warranty.

You have to make sure that they remove the panel to get the window. A good tint job usually has about 1/8 of film that lies beyond the visible bottom of the window.

If I tint my front doors, I can kiss free state inspection goodbye. I'll be getting a PBA card soon, so I won't be too concerned about tickets. Possibly be pulled over more, but nothing more than a "Thanks for your support." (I hope.)

[greg_atlanta]

A flat black tint will look better with a black car.

[Haitian_King]

Exactly. I have a black Q.

Then again, I'm not a fan of the silver mirror tints. Or the cheap purple stuff that's prone to extreme bubbling and spotting.

[captainluigi]

steve, whatever % you choose go with some one who,s been in the biz a while. a lifetime guaranty is worth what when the biz is no longer. iv've used the llumar & huber optik. both are excellent products. extensive info on there sites. check out a silver tint on a blk. car. i think my nite vis is better with it. better than the other tints that is.

CHECK YOUR STATE LAW!

[maxnix]

I plan on getting 5% all around and a lighter 35% on the front doors.

As demonstrated by the Hüper Optik Stark 30 film, limited visual light transmission does not correlate to actual thermal protection. Kind of like putting Dub2 on your windows. Fashion over function.

[qship96]

Dark tint is so yesterday as far as performance of the film goes, look at the heat rejection results of both the huper and formula one ceramic tints to see for yourself.

With a ceramic based tint, even 50% tint {lightly shaded in appearance} outperforms the blacked out old fashioned film, without the drawbacks of reduced visibility and the drug dealer look

[Haitian_King]

As demonstrated by the Hüper Optik Stark 30 film, limited visual light transmission does not correlate to actual thermal protection. Kind of like putting Dub2 on your windows. Fashion over function.

Really? I like the dark tint for privacy, and to protect my interior from prying eyes. Although I'm predominately in a very nice section of Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill), I'm still about 15-20 down Germantown Avenue where it ceases to be nice and quiet and becomes populated with NOI members hawking bean pies, scented oils and incense while wearing construction boots with their gowns. On occasion, I have to venture into some of the more unsavory parts of the city. A friend of mine resides in Fishtown (Not the nicest neighborhood) and I was loathe to park my car on the street overnight. I got up periodically to check it. Seeing as how it's highly unrecommended to use an aftermarket alarm/keyless system on the Q, privacy tint is my best option. I'd never be caught dead using a CLUB. It'd be nice to have at least a keyless entry for my 92, but I'll just have to suck it up and use my key.

I looked at the Q last night under a street lamp and I could see through it like it was nothing. I was about 30 feet away. My stock windows have a factory faint brown tint. I'd just like a more opaque color.

Secondly, my intention for tint wasn't for thermal purposes. If the film rejects UV rays and helps to protect the interior, more power to it. In regard to heat reduction, it really isn't that important to me. I have a function air conditioner as well as a sunroof. And, if I ever need to, I can just roll the windows down. I do adore the one touch driver's window and sunroof. I am one who will sacrifice minor comforts for style. If it wasn't for pain, there'd be no joy, n'est-ce pas?

[qship96]

To each his own......BUT one of the best reasons to invest in quality high performance tint is the huge benefit of the vastly reduced ultra-violet AND infra-red {heat} transmission which results in much longer life of all interior materials{leather,vinyl,fabric,carpet}

As far as making your car less likely to be broken into....clear windows with no valuables in site WIN over blacked out windows every single time

[VJ1]

I have Formula One on both Q's. 20% on one and 35% on the other.Lifetime warranty across the US and Canada for peeling, bubbles, scratching and fading. Very well worth the price. $230.00. Keeps the car cool and prevents the carpet from fading and leather from cracking.

[maxnix]

As far as making your car less likely to be broken into....clear windows with no valuables in site WIN over blacked out windows every single time

Yes, if they see nothing there, most that are not vandals won't break-in to get nothing.

But then tint or not, nothing will save your car from vandals.

[qship96]

I have Formula One on both Q's. 20% on one and 35% on the other.Lifetime warranty across the US and Canada for peeling, bubbles, scratching and fading. Very well worth the price. $230.00. Keeps the car cool and prevents the carpet from fading and leather from cracking.

Formula One makes 4-5 different "price point" films, starting with conventional dyed, hybrid, full metal, and state of the art ceramic which they call Pinnacle. As you move up the line, specs for heat rejection climb

[Haitian_King]

Yes, if they see nothing there, most that are not vandals won't break-in to get nothing.

But then tint or not, nothing will save your car from vandals.

True. But my radio is in plain sight.

I have no qualms about paying more for added benefits, I'm just really basing my choice of tint on it's thermic qualities.

But to exceed $250 on a tint job is just not something I'm willing to do. I can just purchase interior cleaners and conditioners to help protect the interior. Turn the A/C on if I get too hot.

I'm more into it for the privacy.

I do understand the points you guys are making. I wouldn't go for a shoddy $50 job that'll bubble in a week.