Window tint to protect from heat?

[Canada Kev]

Up here in the Great White North, at least in my area, spring seems to have sprung. In order to combat excessive heat in my 911, I am considering a light window tint. My AC, like most everyone's, is less than adequate in keeping the interior cool, especially after sitting in the sun for a few minutes. I don't really want tint in my car, but if it helps keep the sun and high temps at bay, I would do it. The dark paint with dark interior and big horizontal rear window really do make it tough to keep the occupants from melting.

What I am thinking of is a tint of about 50% light transmissibility, which is a pretty light tint. The manufacturer claims 43% heat rejection. I don't really want to go any darker, as the gangsta look is not what I'm looking for.

What is the opinion of readers here? Is this a dumb idea? Will it actually help or do not very much at all?

[nineball]

tinting does help somewhat with heat reduction but don't expect great results. 50% is quite light as far as tint goes. the percentage rating is how much light it lets into the car in case you didn't know. i ran 35% on my last car which was enough to give it some darkness but by no means hindered sight. even at 35% from most angles it was easy to see into the car.

[Emission]

Heat aside, tint blocks 100 percent of the UV (the stuff that kills the interior). I have my windows tinted. It does keep a bit of the heat out, but mine are tinted more to preserve the interior than anything else.

- Mike

[supernovatx]

I suggest looking for a tint with ceramic like Hubner Optics. When it comes to blocking heat it's A#1 in my book....but it is pricey.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by syzygy

Up here in the Great White North, at least in my area, spring seems to have sprung. In order to combat excessive heat in my 911, I am considering a light window tint. My AC, like most everyone's, is less than adequate in keeping the interior cool, especially after sitting in the sun for a few minutes. I don't really want tint in my car, but if it helps keep the sun and high temps at bay, I would do it. The dark paint with dark interior and big horizontal rear window really do make it tough to keep the occupants from melting.

What I am thinking of is a tint of about 50% light transmissibility, which is a pretty light tint. The manufacturer claims 43% heat rejection. I don't really want to go any darker, as the gangsta look is not what I'm looking for.

What is the opinion of readers here? Is this a dumb idea? Will it actually help or do not very much at all?

Any thoughts about upgrading your A/C, considering the legal issues?

pm me for details of our upgrade.

Good luck,

Gerry

[carreraken]

I tinted the rear on my targe - yes it does make a difference. But it still gets quite warm...

Ken

[Oracle]

Before you decide make sure you comply with the province laws on window tint or the mounties will be having fun with you..

Off Topic - Does anyone know the window tint limit in AB?

Good luck!

[175K911]

Never tinted a 911, but makes a noticable difference on my BMW X5 SUV. 35% on the front doors and 20% on the rest of the windows. When you roll a window down you can feel the difference in heat from direct sun.

But in most states it's illegal to tint the front doors. IL just made it legal last month, prior to that I got 2 tickets for the tint.

[MotoSook]

I have tint on my Carrera and it does make a difference. On my BMW I had it tinted with the lightest the shop had in front and their mid level in back. The change was very noticeable since the interior is black leather. A good shop will charge about $200 for a sedan. It's worth having it done by a pro.

Ed - I found out about the new law a week after I got pulled over in a small town down state late one night. Cop pulled me over for no other reason than the tinted front windows. This was 2 yrs after I had it done. Around town (home) the cops here have more important thinks to do than harass a middle age punk... There are plenty of younger punks. Anyhow, never was I pulled over for tint until I was in the road. I go a warning for it, but the timing was great. I was Nov 7th last year, 7 days after the new law. Small town cop was still handing out a warning ticket form with "window tint" as a selection. A week later I found out the warning wasn't even allowed

[PDACPA]

20% on all windows and on the strip on the front windshield.

SUV's and Mini Vans usually come with a 20-22% on the rear windows. In Florida I think the law allows 35% max on the driver and passenger door. The windshield tint strip is not supposed to go below some letter marking that is on all windshields. However, that leaves very little width in the middle of the windshield. Mine goes below the mirror mount on all cars. I just sat in the car and adjusted so it did not cut my vision. I love having it as I never have to use the visor, hides my V-1 and my toll pass.

Cops can write you a ticket, but I think its more of if you are being an Ahole and they want to write up everything. They also have to have the device to test the darkness. Put the windows down when stopped.

P.S. the darker the interior, the darker the tint looks. Also with the light coming in the windshield, it is more visible inside as you can see from my pictures. On a rainy day, forget seeing in.

There is a noticeable difference when you are driving in the summer heat of FL, never mind the squinting.