For stock purists, what is your stance on window tinting?

[PushingMyLuck]

This was a great video
Here's Everything You Need To Know About Window Tinting

I am the stock type.
I don't like aftermarket anything. No mods!
I want it original, and I don't like pimped out cars.
Not sure if this is an issue in the P world.

This video has a guy tinting his 911.
Do stock purists dislike tint?
Or does tint get a pass for aftermarket mods?

[slodave]

I tinted the windows in my 911. I could care less what anyone else thinks. It's my car.

Considering that a lot of Porsche owners "backdate" their cars, it's not an issue. In fact, most here have modded their Porches in one way or another.

[RANDY P]

Depends on the character of the car. A truly vintage car (over 20 years old), probably not. A daily driver, a newer car with power windows and secure enough build that the windows won't scratch the tint after awhile, sure. Especially if you live where it's hot.

WHen you start calling them "Mods" is when it gets out of hand. Dumb things like "intakes" or "exhaust"- ya, waste of money on a modern car. If it doesn't improve the car for it's intended purpose, it's a waste.

With that said my old 911 had all kinds of things done, got compliments all the time on it. Lowered, turbo Fuchs, RUF nose, Sparco's 930S wheel, a trick stereo and alarm, tint, all kinds of stuff. Especially if the Euro versions (euro ride height) exist elsewhere.

the USA is a compromise of a lot of bad things for a car. Ride height being one of them.

rjp

[slodave]

Lets not forget about the whole "R Gruppe" thing.

[id10t]

Purist? If it ain't on the COA, it ain't on the car.

On the other hand... should I ever get a fat wad to restore the 356 with, I'm torn. Will stay wtih black interior, white headliner, and dolphin grey paint, but am oscillating between factory original chrome stuff and windows, or have everything "black chromed" and going with tinted windows... to the point that I picked up a complete set of glass on a deal about 10 years ago. It arrived, I checked for breakage, packed it back up, and put it in the attic.... figure if I ever do it I can keep my original glass and tint the replacement...

[RANDY P]

......That's why it pays to chop up non special cars. I'd never chop up a 73RS, but a garden variety 911 sure, suspension work and all kinds of cool stuff. Same with muscle cars. Hack up and build an original 6 CYL car- sure. But a rare one, - well I wouldn't PAY FOR one. I prefer to chop the stripper versions- more fun.

Don't even start me on pickup trucks.

rjp

[speeder]

Window tint is a film and is completely removable/reversible as a modification to the car. I generally can't live w/o it on a daily driver here in SoCal, I'm even getting the windshield UV film, (clear), on my present truck.

I have fair skin and the UV protection is unfortunately a very real concern in this part of the world. It also makes vehicles a hell of a lot more comfy to be in, especially on a trip up the 5 freeway or anywhere in the west with that crazy intense sun beating through the windows. I cannot drive here w/o high quality sunglasses, optical quality tint film is no different, IMO.

That said, the grade of tint and the quality of the film and installation is very important, aesthetically speaking. Most vehicles look like crap with too dark film or more than one grade along the side. Some SUVs are an exception with darker rear windows. On an older car, like my 1980 450SL, I prefer no film or very light film. Visible or noticeable tint is undesirable on most older cars, IMO.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by slodave

I tinted the windows in my 911. I could care less what anyone else thinks. It's my car.

This. Who gives a crap what the "purists" think. Some "purists" think that driving in the rain or on anything but an immaculately paved road is blasphemy.

Porsche's are meant to be driven and enjoyed as much as possible, and if you get better enjoyment from your car by doing a couple of simple mods, so be it.

Screw what the "purists" think when it comes to personal enjoyment of YOUR car.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

This. Who gives a crap what the "purists" think.

The OP does. Why berate him for asking? Oh, and sentences that ask a question usually have one of these at the end: ?.

[Por_sha911]

As to the original question: IMO, if you are wanting to retain the original classic look then stay clear (pardon the pun) of tinting. I debated tinting mine. I love the look with tinting but wanted to retain as much of the classic look as possible. There's nothing wrong with wanting to retain the original look or modification. As others have said, do what you want.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

The OP does. Why berate him for asking? Oh, and sentences that ask a question usually have one of these at the end: ?.

I'm not berating him. He's free to be a "purists". I'm just saying who gives a crap what "purists" think as it pertains to YOUR car????????? (extra question marks just to keep your OCD in check!!)


Nothing wrong with anyone being a "purists" of course. I could care less what they think of my car. And likewise, I'm sure the "purists" could care less what I think about their car.

Bottom line: It's your car. Enjoy it as you see fit. Mods or not.

[speeder]

The answer to the title of the thread is that a true "purist" would not like tint film on any 911. This board does not cater to the purist crowd in the least, so the answers will be predictable. They also do not answer the original question, more like a sample of their opinion of "purists".

I'm not a purist on modern cars or other non-special cars that were made in large numbers. On antiques or special cars, I like them either stock or with period correct modifications, and even some of those were in bad taste back in the day.

[Hard-Deck]

I tinted my windows to help keep my interior UV pure. Ha!

[Hydrocket]

Oh...for the purists. There are a number of films that are amazingly clear, and you'd never know the windows are tinted. Even the windshield gets done. Why would this matter to purists? Because these films reject heat and block UV rays from their interior which prevents fading, cracking, etc..

I'll ask the purists....would you put a film on your car with no visible tint if it protected your interior?

I've seen the 3M Crystalline films...and it was mighty impressive.


http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Automotive/Crystalline_Automotive_Films/

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

I'm just saying who gives a crap what "purists" think as it pertains to YOUR car????????? (extra question marks just to keep your OCD in check!!)

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

I'll ask the purists....would you put a film on your car with no visible tint if it protected your interior?

You seem to be conflicted...
To answer your question, if the car is a concours original it may be a problem but if the original look is retained then shoot, why not? Again, it all goes back to the intent of the OP. If he is wanting to look stock then tint is a no-no IMO.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

Oh...for the purists. There are a number of films that are amazingly clear, and you'd never know the windows are tinted. Even the windshield gets done. Why would this matter to purists? Because these films reject heat and block UV rays from their interior which prevents fading, cracking, etc..

I'll ask the purists....would you put a film on your car with no visible tint if it protected your interior?

I've seen the 3M Crystalline films...and it was mighty impressive.


Crystalline Automotive Films - Clear automotive window film for cars, trucks - Crystalline - 3M US

There is a solid argument for doing just this on a car you want to preserve, especially if it's driven and parked regularly in the sunnier parts of the world. My dad's old 1980 450SL, bought new and always garaged in Minnesota, has virtually zero UV damage on rubber/paint/trim or interior. A similar car here in CA. would be cooked.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by Hydrocket

Oh...for the purists. There are a number of films that are amazingly clear, and you'd never know the windows are tinted. Even the windshield gets done. Why would this matter to purists? Because these films reject heat and block UV rays from their interior which prevents fading, cracking, etc..

I'll ask the purists....would you put a film on your car with no visible tint if it protected your interior?

I've seen the 3M Crystalline films...and it was mighty impressive.


Crystalline Automotive Films - Clear automotive window film for cars, trucks - Crystalline - 3M US

I did the expensive UV tint on my windshield. 70% tint. It's not as effective against glare as dark tint, but you can feel the UV reduction- my totally unscientific method involves putting my hand near the glass, on my BMW the windshield area is generally cooler than the side windows- I can feel the heat radiate from the side glass much, much more.

Given that, I'm gonna do the rest of the car in 30% UV block instead of the cheap stuff on there now. I think it helps, on a black / black car in AZ anything helps.

Also check out some other brands other than 3M. That stuff commands a premium, I don't know if it's worth the $$$ or not.

[VaSteve]

I have my black 944 track car tinted. I bought it that way. It looks good and keeps it cool. A/C is broken. I tinted my dark blue BMW sedan afte pr a few years. It's to stupid dark but it is illegal and it keeps the inside cooler when it sits all day at the train station. I would not it not the Targa because I think it looks terrible on a Targa.

[UconnTim97]

I am a big fan of window tint. That being said, on a classic 911, I don't see dark tint working aesthetically. One of the near colorless UV blocking films would be perfect.
Our black Denali has 15% tint all around. It looks great. My dd Buick and the 944 have 20%. In hindsight, I wish I went darker on the Buick.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

[COLOR="Green"] If he is wanting to look stock then tint is a no-no IMO.

You can't tell it's tinted. It's clear.

I couldn't tell when they had 2 identical cars parked side by side.