What to look for: tint

[reginald2]

I know nothing about tinting a window. I've never had that done before. I'm not looking to do it myself. What do I need to know? I see purple saggy tint on a lot of back windows and really want to avoid that.

Where I live I can only have 35% on the window. Do I need to subtract the OEM glass, it looks a bit dark?

What should I look for/what do I need?

[whoknows89]

Most good shops use a high quality tint that doesn't turn purple. You should find different shops in you area and see how much they would charge. Also make sure wherever you go they have a lifetime warranty on the tint. The place I got mine done at will replace the tint if it ever bubbles, peels, and turns colors.

[suckerface]

Definitely look for a reputable place. I got mine done at a local auto body shop and the f*cked it up. Had to take it back twice to get it done right, they melted one of the plastic trim pieces, and did something to make the lock-thing (that shows the door is un/locked) not work. Wanted to support a local small business, and paid the price. Go somewhere that's reputable for tinting service, read reviews on Google, and ask around.

Also, while the legal limit is 35%, you could probably go lower without issue. I think I have 30% on the front two windows, 20% on the rear and hatch, and 15% on the AS1, but would like to go darker all the way around sometime soon-ish (the ex took convincing to go as low as that).

The cars you see with the peeling tint are the cheap peel-n-stick kits you get at Wal-Mart and Auto Zone. There are better quality DIY kits you can get, but if you're not confident in your, or a friend's, abilities, don't bother.

[reginald2]

Thanks for the good feedback. I wasn't sure about the saggy purple tint jobs. I am positive that it's over my head though.

whoknows- I'll check for a warranty. It's a good idea. Any tips on finding a good place? What should I expect them to charge for a good job?

suckerface- I've checked out a few reviews and I'm narrowing it down. I feel like I sit too high to do much with the as1, though it'd be nice for the drive home. I wouldn't mind going darker, but i don't want to get pulled over either.

Is there anything else to ask?

[suckerface]

Make sure you take before and after pictures of trim pieces, scratches on your windows, etc. so you have proof if there is any damage done during install.

Ask if they take the door panels off to do the whole window. My guys didn't at first, and you could tell where the tint ended at the weather strip. Also, see what level of tint they usually do, that'll tell you if you're safe to go a shade or two darker. Our guy pointed out that a lot of factory windows come with 35% or lower in the rear, and cops really only look at the front windows for how dark they are.

I paid around $80 for mine, but there were hassles involved as I mentioned. Be prepared to spend up to $150 or more for a QUALITY job.

[Killchain]

35% city limits, 20% statewide other than other municipalities' laws.

I did 20% anyway, if a cop has nothing better to do a traffic stop for "probable cause" stop. Then so be it. I did pay $140.00 for my hatchback with life time guarantee.

The shop I went to...........http://www.horizonabq.com/default.aspx

[jamal1984]

any good tint will cost you at least $200 dollars and up, don't believe in 3M, Llumar or some big boys out there for less than $150....
ok even if they said less than $150, ask for manufacture warranty invoice that you can send/mail it in to verify that you got the legit one. And make sure get the roll #. Call in after a week and see if they received your invoice and ask if that roll number are legit......
If you want a good quality film, here is a few
Suntek - Carbon or CXP
Llumar - at least ATC
3M- Don't... but if you do go with Crystaline. Y? most tinter like us believed that 3M do not manufacture their own tint, most are rebox.

[whoknows89]

Well I went to ziebart and i paid about 180 with the lifetime warranty. they are all over Indiana but I dunno if there is any where you are from. Any shop that does auto accessories or they advertise that they tint would be a good place to start looking. Your best bet would be to ask around. If someone is happy with the shop, they will recommend the shop.

[why?]

while you are checking up different shops and their reputation, ask them what type of tint they use. There are quite a few different types of tint, and some are higher quality and simply better than others.

Also ask the shops what the cops or inspection places, if you have a yearly inspection, in your area say. They'll know if the cops are super strict or don't care about how dark tint really is. You can also check online as well.

The most important part is to inform yourself before you do anything. And I agree totally on finding one with a lifetime warranty.

[Yaristeve]

Any tips on finding a good place? What should I expect them to charge for a good job?

Find a new car dealer (preferably high end cars) with cars with tinted windows on the lot. If the tinting looks good, ask the dealer where they get the tinting done.

A good tint shop will give a lifetime warranty (free replacement) against bubbling and peeling and fading or turning purple.

[reginald2]

Wow, thanks all for the good information.

Suckerface - I'll be sure to snap some pics and then spend some time hoping that I don't need them lol.

Killchain - The law here is 35% and I've got yearly inspections and have heard people talking about seals and some sort of light or something that they check tint with. Plus I had a cop tear up my back seat once looking for crack or whatever. The damage to my back seat was the best part of that evening too. It was in a different state, but I've got no desire to repeat that experience ever.

Jamal - I'll be off to google these shortly. Now that you mention it 3M is the only brand I know of for tint (shows what I know lol). Thanks

whoknows - I don't think we have those here, that sounds like the ball park price I'm looking for though. I didn't really recognize any of the places where I live as big chains, most of them look a little more mom-and-popish.

why? - When you say different types, do you mean brands? Like I said above though, I want to get pulled over like I want a hole in the head. I think I've got another couple of years before I actually have to get the car inspected (newish cars have recently been exempted in my city). I'll probably stick with the law though anyway.

Yaristeve - I'll definitely look for a life time warranty. I think I've got a couple of friends that know car salesmen. I might check that grapevine to see what's up.

I feel a lot better knowing a little more about what to look for. Hopefully, I'll be able to shop around some this weekend and see what the local shops look like. I've got a computer to build here quickly, but I'm thinking the tint may end up getting done first. :)

Thanks again.

[why?]

not just brands, but they make them out of different materials, and some offer better UV protection.

It is not always about how dark you go, the materials used can affect what gets through.

And If a cop tried that with me I'd have pictures of it sent to every media company in the entire country.

[reginald2]

And If a cop tried that with me I'd have pictures of it sent to every media company in the entire country.


It was a few years ago '96 probably. I had a pager, but I'm not even sure if digital cameras were a thing yet. I wish it had gone down differently. I was pretty scared at the time, just a kid really and I was so surprised (I don't know if that's the word) I had no idea what to do.

Plus there's much worse on youtube anyway. It's a new era.

[why?]

it is an era where cops know they are being filmed at every stage. And they still act like arrogant pieces of garbage.

Just a reminder the government is always the enemy. And anyone who represents the government in any way is also an enemy.

[jamal1984]

guys please don't talk bad about cops.
They are just like us trying to find a way for MONEYS out there.
Tint ticket is very easy moneys now. :)
Here in one of the city of Georgia, that tint ticket cost almost $400 dollars for first time.

[JumpmanYaris]

guys please don't talk bad about cops.
They are just like us trying to find a way for MONEYS out there.
Tint ticket is very easy moneys now. :)
Here in one of the city of Georgia, that tint ticket cost almost $400 dollars for first time.

Da fuck ?!?!?

[JumpmanYaris]

it is an era where cops know they are being filmed at every stage. And they still act like arrogant pieces of garbage.

Just a reminder the government is always the enemy. And anyone who represents the government in any way is also an enemy.

Guess my mother is my enemy :rolleyes:

[jamal1984]

Da fuck ?!?!?

you mean the ticket fees? or my comment? :cry:

[reginald2]

you mean the ticket fees? or my comment? :cry:

That ticket fee sounds pretty horrible to me.

[reginald2]

guys please don't talk bad about cops.
They are just like us trying to find a way for MONEYS out there.
Tint ticket is very easy moneys now. :)
Here in one of the city of Georgia, that tint ticket cost almost $400 dollars for first time.


I 100% agree with you that tickets (tint and other) are great revenue streams and in this day of starving beasts, I ain't mad at them. IMHO it sort of undermines protect and serve, but if they didn't they'd not have cars or guns or jobs. I would never think of the police as my enemy.

I have friends that are cops and they're good people. I've met many more nice cops than bad ones, but I also don't ascribe to the never speak any bad about any cop because they're not all that way. I don't think it's honest. I work with some real jerks, but they don't have that level of power over me so I pay them no mind. Most of the time I pay police no mind because I'm pretty well behaved.

Personally, I think they're wildly underpaid for what they do and they question of safety vs money shouldn't EVER be asked. I think they're systemic problems and not personal problems though (well lol, it depends I guess).

*exits thread quietly*

[randeez]

ticket here for tint is 120 bux, less if you scrape it off and have an officer sign off that it has been removed on the ticket. llumar tint, lifetime warrenty, shade below legal in fl (i think 20%?) cost me 140 with a1 strip real dark. but i have used the same local guy for 15 years between my cars and friends i've sent to him. so he knocks a few bucks off

[JumpmanYaris]

Man, illegal or not if like it dark go dark but remember there are consequence, wich is what I was doing all under 35% plus front windshield tinted like a boss but just know u might get pulled over.

I got my car in 2007, and the second day of having it I got tinted the fuck out and the whole time of owning it with tints only was I got pulled over, I just paid my ticket And rolled with it.

::knocks on wood:: lol

[RedRide]

I 100% agree with you that tickets (tint and other) are great revenue streams and in this day of starving beasts, I ain't mad at them. IMHO it sort of undermines protect and serve, but if they didn't they'd not have cars or guns or jobs. I would never think of the police as my enemy.

I have friends that are cops and they're good people. I've met many more nice cops than bad ones, but I also don't ascribe to the never speak any bad about any cop because they're not all that way. I don't think it's honest. I work with some real jerks, but they don't have that level of power over me so I pay them no mind. Most of the time I pay police no mind because I'm pretty well behaved.

Personally, I think they're wildly underpaid for what they do and they question of safety vs money shouldn't EVER be asked. I think they're systemic problems and not personal problems though (well lol, it depends I guess).

*exits thread quietly*
Yes.. but in addition to that, cops are also sworn to uphold the law. :smile:
I had a family member and a close friend who were both good, honest cops.

However, I have to adimt that i have been hasseled many times in past by cops who simply like to hassle drvers. BTW I'm not a kid, I'm actually retired and I can see how some cops can overstep their bounds and hand out tickets for things that are not even against the law... hoping that people wil not be aware of that and pay it.

For example......I even got a ticket for having illegal aftemarket headlight asemblies on my Celica a couple of years ago that were complely stock headlights. The cop even told me that "everyone who drives a Celica has illegal parts on them"! Of couse, I had it dismissed .

[Fortmax]

If you want the best tint V-kool is the way to go,excellent heat rejection,but they are very expensive,these tint are the ones they used in airplane & jet cockpit to keep the pilot cool.:wink:

[allyart]

just for your input:
i recently installed 3M crystalline 40 (40% darkness) for front window and 3M black beauty 5 (80% darkness) for side and back. it cost me around 185 USD in a respectable shop. the work quality is good and they give 5 years satisfaction guarantee.

the tint look dark and vip from outside but it is bright from the inside, overall im very happy about it.

this is my thread for your reference
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39972

[why?]

just for your input:
i recently installed 3M crystalline 40 (40% darkness) for front window and 3M black beauty 5 (80% darkness) for side and back. it cost me around 185 USD in a respectable shop. the work quality is good and they give 5 years satisfaction guarantee.

the tint look dark and vip from outside but it is bright from the inside, overall im very happy about it.

this is my thread for your reference
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39972

Could you show us a picture of on the inside, showing how dark the windshield looks when you are looking out?

You know, just so we can be more jealous.