Window Tint Advice

[sooznd]

I am thinking about getting my windows tinted--I did not choose this at purchase time. My daughter said I should have the dealer do this...
However there is a good aftermarket place that installs sunroofs, hitches, leather seats... just about anything. The dealer even referred me there if I wanted a sunroof installed. For all I know--the Honda delaership may send their cars there for window tinting.

What % of tinting is good for front windshield and windows? Rear windows can be darker. It is quite sunny in Colorado, even in winter.
Does this look okay to have different levels of tinting?
Thanks

[charlie]

Well, that all depends on your state law. For instance, in Pennsylvania you must have at least 70% visibility. My son had put 30% (he was told by the guy it was legal since they had to be 30%) on his windows. You have to account for the factory tint that is already on the window. If he would have gotten 40% he would have been okay. He has since removed it. (only on the two windows) The gauge read 28% when the police measured it. If there is such a law where you are, I suggest you ask the local police to put their gauge on the window with a sample tint so you won't have to remove it later. Not worth it. My son would always put both windows down and his keys on the dash when he would get pulled over. (he gets pulled over a lot). He just got another citation for the lights around the plate. At this point they are just looking for him. He has more citations (all traffic related)! Best is, he's a great driver. He just drives a typical cool car for his age (23).

[manxman]

Well, that all depends on your state law. For instance, in Pennsylvania you must have at least 70% visibility. My son had put 30% (he was told by the guy it was legal since they had to be 30%) on his windows. You have to account for the factory tint that is already on the window. If he would have gotten 40% he would have been okay. He has since removed it. (only on the two windows) The gauge read 28% when the police measured it. If there is such a law where you are, I suggest you ask the local police to put their gauge on the window with a sample tint so you won't have to remove it later. Not worth it. My son would always put both windows down and his keys on the dash when he would get pulled over. (he gets pulled over a lot). He just got another citation for the lights around the plate. At this point they are just looking for him. He has more citations (all traffic related)! Best is, he's a great driver. He just drives a typical cool car for his age (23).
California, and probably most states, to not allow tinting of the windshield except for the top 6", and there is a limit for the amount of light reduction. The amount of legal, light reduction, allowed for all windows, is available on the Internet for all states, but I don't have the web address for CO. You will have to look for that.

[Tinyvan]

here you go http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/CO/

looks like you would be safe with 30% all around and you cant tint the front window. I don't know how the police are around your area or how dark you want to go but you might get away with 25% front and 30% rear and back.

In Minnesota the law is 50% all around and I have 35% with no problems so if you want to try and risk it you can go darker.

[jd636]

On my Fit - 20% front side windows and doors, 15% rear doors, rear side windows and hatch. Tint band across top of windshield is 5%

So far no problems although my fronts are a tad darker than allowd by the state.

[sooznd]

Everyone- thanks for the input & advice--
Checked with my dealer and they will do for $289 with lifetime warranty. Can legally do around 33% in Colorado except for front windshield.

[CuTeBoi]

Seems quite expensive, 3m I hope??? And better come with dealer lifetime warranty minimum....

3m covers their materials, but not the labor and not a reinstall cost... so, you have options.

[sooznd]

I also checked with an aftermarket place that does tinting and their cost was only $40 less--so I would rather have the dealership do it in case there are problems. Things are expensive in Colorado!

[CuTeBoi]

Guess you have not heard how the dealership does it. They send their cars to that same aftermarketplace, and keep the 40$ for nothing. And since the dealership purchased the install, you do NOT get the warranty since no tinter that I know of allows transfer of warranty. Since you paid the dealership, the dealership doesn't forward that information to the aftermarket place.


Please know how they do it. If the dealership does it in house (very rare), ask for warranty information on the labor and if it's lifetime, they will tell you that 3m is warrantied for life, but then again, that's the same argument I gave you earlier, that;'s on the parts, not labor, and no reinstall.

[sooznd]

thanks- I will ask them more details about the warranty--I assumed it was on the whole deal- it the film started peeling, etc--they would replace at no charge. But if it is the same as the other place, I 'll do it there.

[CuTeBoi]

Dealers normally don't do their own tinting, but yours may be an exception. What they say will be anything to get the sale, if they can't show you the material, or their workshop, you can rest assured that they aren't doing it themselves.

The warranty on peeling material would be user failure, and you may not get it back, if there are bubbles, they will take the care, send it to their shop again, maybe get it fixed, or say something to avoid the warranty...


Srsly, take it to an aftermarket place, as you will know what you're getting.

[kreso]

I tinted mine at place called d&l tinting in baltimore. I used 3M brand tint 50% (i wanted to go darker but didn't want to be illegal) I paid about $250 its warranted for life and for anything. i could intentionally damage my tint and they will fix it for free for life. obviously the warranty is non-transferable.

[sooznd]

I spoke to my dealer again- they have a complete body shop, do collision repair, replace windshields , etc. They said they will do the tinting there--lifetime warranty is both through them and through 3M. The only other place in my town that does tinting is a place called vanworks --it is $30 less. If they would tint the front windshield a bit--I would use them. But I think it may be illegal in Colorado to do that.

[jd636]

I went with Suntek InfinityOP, lifetime warranty also.

http://www.suntekfilms.com/automotive/suntek-window-films-automotive.aspx

InfinityOP, or “Optimum Performance,” is the industry’s leading all-metal, reflective window film. Other features and benefits include:

An all-metal, sputtered Nichrome construction
Interior appearance that is attractive and neutral
Reflective exterior appearance that creates a “mirrored” look
Superior heat rejection and glare reduction for added comfort
Lifetime Manufacturer’s Warranty, that includes fading

[milanored]

I went with carbon tint,no metal here;wont interfere with cell phone,gps.etc.

[sooznd]

Good News!!-- my dealer is going to do my window tinting at no charge because I had some issues with their finance manager.....she was in a hurry and rushed through the final paperwork. I assumed something was covered with the extended contract and it was not. So I complained to my salesman who referred me to the general manger. He offered "we will give you your first service and oil change at no charge". I said how much is that worth --he said $100, so I said I would like my windows tinted. So he said OK.

[sooznd]

I am getting my windows tinted on Friday!!! Dealer agreed to do at no charge! Woo Hoo!

Thanks for the helpful link to state laws regarding tinting :)

Colorado law allows 27% for all windows except front windshield & that cannot be tinted except for the top 4 inches.

What I would like to know is there any advantage or disadvantage to having the driver & passenger windows tinted less--say 50% or have it darker i.e.- the same as the rear and hatch windows?

Does tinting darker affect night time visibility?

Thanks!!

[manxman]

The darker the tint, the less you can see through it when driving at night.

[sooznd]

Yah- I knew that, but seems like going with 27 % all around (even though it is legal here) except for windshiled would really be too dark for good visibility.

I am thinking of going 35% rear windows & hatch, 50 % driver & passenger--I guess I need to know if there are set %'s of tint on the film, or can I pick what I want?

Thanks Manx!

[Fit2bMe]

I'm opting for Red Flare Window Tint. Saw Funk Master Flex ridin with it. I find the world looking great in a red spectrum. Plus I feel like a racer.