tinting... need feedback from someone who has experience.

[NAYo2002]

I really want to tint my windows because it gets really hot in the summer. I'm also very reluctant at this stage because I keep on seeing cars with bubbles in their tints, and some with tinting burned off. I don't want to mess up my car

Do the bubbles appear regarless after a few year or can they be avoided?

I also don't know how much it'd cost. Please do spread the knowledge...

 

[NAYo2002]

Also, wont the defoggers mess up the tint in the back window?

 

[Micah]

no, if you do it right, you won't have those problems. Buy a good metallic tint. Properly clean the glass, preferably with a low residue cleaner. I've heard of people using natural citrus cleaners, 5:1 windex/water, even 2:1 White Wine Vinegar/water with the New York Times instead.

If you have dirty windows, you can use watered down windex in a mist spray bottle, and some clean new razor blades. Mist the window, then use the razor blade at a very close angle to prevent scratching the glass. Keep an eye on the edge of the blade, the second it gets dull - switch to a fresh blade. I've found this technique will pull just about anything off glass. For stubborn stuff, simply mist the window and wait, let it sink in a bit.

No, your defoggers should not mess up the tint in the back window. My car is tinted with 35% all around, and I only used one piece on the back window. Tint has been on since December, I have used my defroster several times, and also it's been fine all summer.

Anything worth doing is worth doing right.

 

[Rider69]

That is why I pay someone to do it and they warranty their work. Much easier that way!

 

[NAYo2002]

I like the way you think Rider lol... how much did it cost you?

 

[Micah]

Same here, I paid a friend of mine, but he owns his own Tint Shop. I watched him do it, just wanted to see how it was done. Back when I was in High School, I used to help my friends tint their windows all the time.

Cops would pull us over and hand us a razor blade to pull it off, we'd put it right back on the next day. Back then, the same kid who does tint for a living now; his dad owned the tint shop. So he would hook us up with the tint.

It's good to know people. I've got friends who are mechanics, tuners, car audio installers, tint installers, body work and paint shop owners, all kinds of people. It helps to branch out and meet people whenever you can. I help them with their computers, burn a few CD's for them with whatever program, movie, music, pr0n they are looking for, and they hook me up.

 

[Micah]

Incidentally, even though he's my friend, I still paid him $125

 

[NAYo2002]

so you can just pull the tint out that easily? If i ever mess up it wouldnt be hard to put new ones back on?

Will the glass get messed up or what when you take it out?

 

[Rider69]

nothing will happen to the glass. It can be a b**** to remove it, but if you get it done within legal limits or never get stopped, there should not be any problems. I think I paid like $150 for 5%/20% that I have on my windows. That includes a lifetime gaurantee against any problems with the tint. It does not cover me having to remove it and get it put back on it I ever get a ticket for it.

 

[pr5toAZ]

I would go to Ziebart, they may be aliitle pit more expensive but they do a good job and the tint is waranted as long as you own your car.

 

[NAYo2002]

that sounds perfect, thanks for everyone taking their time to respond. I still need to know one thing though. Is it hard to see through from the inside?

You know to check the blind spots and the back. I'm thinking about getting 5% but I'd settle for 22% if it helps me see better. Will I even be able to see anything at night?

Now about Ziebart, Is it the auto store place. http://www.ziebart.com? Because they have one right next to my dorm, it'd be so convinient.

 

[pr5toAZ]

I have no problem seeing out of my 22%.

I dont think you will have a tint problem in Indiana, I've seen the Sherifs cars in Indianapolis and they are almost blacked out.

I have family in Indiana, my ant and uncle used to live in Bloomington, been there many times.

Yeah thats the Ziebart I'm talking about, thats were I had mine done today, I assume your at IU?

 

[melicha8]

NAYo2002 do you go to IU?

 

[grishulia]

I had the tint on my prior car fro over 3 years and not one bubble...

There are some sites that will send you pre-cut tint and instructions on how to put it on... just do the search... and I think the cost was about $80...

 

[NAYo2002]

NAYo2002 do you go to IU?

yep, why? do you go?

It's be so great, I just moved to LA and I don't know anyone from Cali that goes to IU.

 

[WayneTeK]

I have 7% black tint on mine. That is everythign excluding the front side windows. Dont' wanna get pulled over in Cali. =(

I love having Limo tint.. Too bad i couldn't get it blacked out all the way including front. I was thinking about getting from windows tinted at 35% but i decided to be safe and not get it at all...

After all, rules are rules...


BTW, Tint will last you forever if you keep it in shade and dont' let too much sun expsoure hit it. The reason why tint starts to bubble is because of too much exposure to the sun.

So if you keep you car in shade as much as possible, your tint should last you the lifetime of the car.