Getting Windows Tinted-Advice

[Blake-R]

Hey guys just after some advice about window tinting. I'm getting my Gti tinted tomorrow and i'm just wondering the process and how they do this as i don't want the interior getting marked. Obviously i'm guessing they have a certain way of doing this, otherwise they would have so many customers complaining and would eventually go out of business.

Can anyone who has had theirs done tell me how theirs have been and how the car was afterwards.

Also if you have any before and after shots of how it turned out, please post them up  

Cheers guys

[animal]

It's a film on the inside of the windows. Nothing more to it than that.

Most car windows are already tinted slightly, so what ever you have applied (if any) to the front, do your self a favour and make sure it's legal or you'll have the Police standing over you at the side of the road as you rip them off.

[Rob GTI]

I went for a 30% tint on the 3 rear windows which is roughly what the OEM rear tint is. The only real difference between the film and the OEM tints is that you can see a lighter patch around the edges where the microdots are.

[Blake-R]

A couple of people have said if they don't take the windows out then they aren't that good. Would you say this is true?

[Frodo-anni]

One of my clients is a window tinter and made a comment about a friends car that it had been done correctly as the windows had been removed.

[Blake-R]

Thanks for the replies. Hmmm now that's got me wondering! Rob Gti do you know how yours were done at all?.

[Rob GTI]

Mine were done from the inside with the windows still in the car. I would't imagine taking the windows out would give a better result as the white / pale border from the microdots is because the film does not shrink perfectly on the microdots which can be accessed from in the car also.

[Blake-R]

Guys i need some quick advice again. I spoke to the tinting guy this morning and he said that the front windows are already the legal limit and if i was to go even slightly darker there is a chance i could get pulled over and torn off. How many of you have had yours done and gone darker on the fronts without problems?

[animal]

Guys i need some quick advice again. I spoke to the tinting guy this morning and he said that the front windows are already the legal limit and if i was to go even slightly darker there is a chance i could get pulled over and torn off. How many of you have had yours done and gone darker on the fronts without problems?

As above... don't do it. It's illegal and a waste of money. Not to mention dangerous. Your tinter is doing you a favour by being honest and is saving you money. I'd listen to him if I were you.

As of Jan '04 it is basically illegal to apply a film to any windows forward of the B pillar.

Not if, but when you are caught: If it's a fairly light tint you will be issued a rectification notice and probably just have to rip them out on the spot (or at least decent portion of the film - wasting your money). If it's too dark you're looking at having your car PG9'ed (taken off the road) and potentially a fine and points.

Also worth bearing in mind that if you do go ahead and do it, your insurance will be void and you will liable for prosecution if involved in an accident. Not just for no insurance but for technically having a defective vehicle and being in breach of Constr. & Use regs.

Better safe than sorry... 

[Rob GTI]

Actually you can have the fronts filmed but it has to let through 90% of light, which is what the standard tint does, therefore there is no point in it for aesthetics, but it can be done for security reasons (i.e. apllication of a clear security film). BUt I'm going off topic.....

[Rob GTI]

Guys i need some quick advice again. I spoke to the tinting guy this morning and he said that the front windows are already the legal limit and if i was to go even slightly darker there is a chance i could get pulled over and torn off. How many of you have had yours done and gone darker on the fronts without problems?

As other replies don't do it, mine are the rear quarters and rear window only.

[animal]

Actually you can have the fronts filmed but it has to let through 90% of light, which is what the standard tint does, therefore there is no point in it for aesthetics, but it can be done for security reasons (i.e. apllication of a clear security film). BUt I'm going off topic.....

It should read 'tinting film', obviously a clear film isn't going to be an issue. It's 70% light transmission for the front side windows and 75% for a windscreen. If it was 90%, all our windows would be illegal as you're lucky to get 85-86% transmission through clear glass and that's witout the factory tint applied by the manufacturer!

[VC]

i cant add anything other than to say listen to animal