To tint or not to tint?

[Teutonics]

I'll second the soapy water for removal, I've done MANY cars this way and it's an easy job.

I've been looking at the tint that has the very slight reflective property(not mirror finish!), and to me it makes the tint look much lighter and less noticable. From experience with other cars, tinting really makes a difference in comfort for Georgia summers (high heat AND humidity).

[PDACPA]

In Florida, Tint is necessary (in my opinion) and I think the black windows tie in to all my black trim. I think any car will look good with black tint. I am not into the the silver or colors.

If you do not like it, they can take it off fairly easily.

My car has had the same tint since 1995 when I purchased it. Keeps the car cooler and the sun from fading.

Mine is techincally "not approved for street use" at 20%, but then again, many have this%. Some put 20 on the back windows and maybe 35% on the drivers and passenger. I like the consistant look and have no problem seeing. I also have a thin strip on the windshield.

[PDACPA]

Cops in Florida are used to tint and you can just put the window down if you get pulled over so they can see in. At night, turn on the interior light. They appreciate your concerns for their safety.

[dd74]

I think there was a push at one time in the San Fernando Valley to allow tinting of all windows in a car - the state tried to kill it, saying it was illegal - lovely.

[Argeo]

Sorry if I am repeating someone else here. Someone on this site or Rennlist told me to remove tint, just park the car i the sun and soak tint with water and then put saran wrap over the water and the tint. The tint basically pulls right off. A little scrapping might be required but really easy. It worked for me like a charm. Regarding to tint or not to tint, it's your car so do what ever you want. Enjoy.

When I lived in Florida it seemed the norm to tint your windows because of the sun and heat. A side beneifit is a small degree of secuity and safety. Glass that has been tinted won't shatter.

[jrdavid68]

N11PORSCHE,

Did you do the tint on your car yourself or have it done somewhere? I want to get the windows in the 2002 VW Passat tinted but I want to know it's done right and will last - that means I won't be doing it!!

Anybody else have recommendations in the SF Bay Area?

Thanks,

[speeder]

David, I don't have a reference for you in the Bay area, but in every city that I have had a car tinted, I simply opened the yellow pages and started calling. Or call a dealer, anyone from Honda on up, they will tell you where to go or send their guy over. Anyone who does it for a living and gets repeat biz from a dealer is going to be good. The nice thing about going to a shop is that you can look at their work and the caliber of cars they have there.

Good tinters are not at all hard to find, it's a skill, but certainly not brain surgery. Good luck!

[Yargk]

Originally posted by jrdavid68


Anybody else have recommendations in the SF Bay Area?

Occasionally a certain tint company puts a nicely tinted 993 twin turbo in Valley Fair (now called Westfield) mall near the san Jose area. I don't have personal experience with them. They always ask me if I want tint (as I stare at the car) and I reply that I'm not really interested because I don't want it when I track my car. One of their sales people opened up the decklid so I could check out that twin turbo motor though... My memory may be failing me but I think I recall Carlsen Porsche license plate frames, so that might be evidence of a dealer thumbs up. As far as I know, they still advertise there, however it might be an M3 instead of the 993 now. I think the name of the company was Mr. Tint, but to be honest I was really just paying attention to the curves on that car so the details are fuzzy. It's kinda like seeing a beautiful woman and trying to remember what brand shoes she was wearing (although I would remember the tire brand on a car, so the metaphor may fail, but you get the idea.)

[PDACPA]

Having had cars tinted by guys (very experienced) who lay the sheet of tint over the window and cut it freehand vs my most recent tint on the driver and passenger windows of my 2002 Sporttrac, I would call and make sure they have the computer that cuts the windows out of the tint. The fit is perfect, straight edges and tucks nicely down past the inside rubber trim.

[Rich Lambert]

This tinting came with the car. At first I didn't care for it, but it's growing on me.

[Sean Hamilton]

Yeah, I like it too Rich, looks good - black on red

Originally posted by speeder
.......Good tinters are not at all hard to find, it's a skill, but certainly not brain surgery.........

Denis,
Every tint mob I went to had a brain fade after seeing the Targa rear widow - no takers.

[xlr8]

I put tint in my old Honda years ago. I found a light tint that cut out the UV rays, but still let me see well at night. If you did not know it was tinted, You might not have guessed, but it did protect the interior from the sun's rays. I did it myself, but it was tedious. You must clean the glass extremely well and squeegy the water out thoroughly. If you can afford it I would suggest letting an expert do the job. Optical quality may vary with different brands of tint, try to see an example of a finished car before you decide. My '88 cab is garaged and has working A/C, so I won't be tinting it.
Good Luck!

[keithlambert7]

Originally posted by dd74
I think there was a push at one time in the San Fernando Valley to allow tinting of all windows in a car - the state tried to kill it, saying it was illegal - lovely.

I believe tinting car windows is illegal here in Virginia.

Keith