tinted windows

[raaizin]

I am looking to buy a used X3. Alot of them don't have privacy glass for the rear windows and back window. I want to have the windows tinted but am concerned on how the tint will hold up a few years down the road. Especiall the windows that go up and down. How hard is it to remove window tint once applied. I am concerned about ruining the rear window defogger grid if I were to remove the tint.

Should I just look for one with the privacy glass


Ray

 

[Bill in Utah]

I'm in the same boat with my Outback.

We are going on a 6,000 miles trip across the US this summer and I'd love to get the back windows tinted.

So far, the deal I'm looking at is a kit on Ebay.

I'll be watching!

Bill

 

[Johnny248]

If you find a quality shop that actually carry more than one line of film, you should be pretty good. Most manufactures have different levels of film available. Problem is, most shops carry their economy or one step up. This is generally a 5year film by the manufacturer. The reason they use this is because it keeps the pricing competitive.

Johnson Window Film makes a very high quality film. Had excellent long life with their films. Even the lower priced Raygard is a very good film. You also have to find what you are looking for. Many films are a dyed film, where more expensive are metalized, and some are a mix of both. Sometimes metalized film can cause problems with gps or antennas built into glass though. The Greystone, Silhouette, and Executive are all very good films and will provide YEARS of clear non-fading tint.

3M also makes some good film also, but I personally like the Johnson film a little better.

Either way, if you plan on keeping it for more than 5 years or so, get a better quality film.

As far removal, if you dont mind a mess it is not that hard. You do have to be careful of defroster lines, but if you use a solvent to "melt" the glue after you pull the film off you will be ok.

 

[CROWNVIC4LIFE]

I have had my tint [15% all around] on now for 5 years...The only issue [so far] is the back window...Its starting to get blurry...Eventually I will have to get it redone by the tinting place...They pay for the tint and I have to pay for the labor...Thats what they call lifetime warranty as long as you own the car down here...Down here you have no choice but to get tint if you want a nice cool car all year long.

Putting your windows up and down is not a issue once the tint dries which is usually a few days but I always give it a full week to dry.

I turned on my rear defroster on one time by mistake and all was well with the tint.

You have to be very careful when removing the tint or you will damage the defroster...The tinting place takes it off for only a few extra bucks down here...Not sure what they use but it comes off nice and clean with no worry to the defroster.

The tint they use down here is a lot stronger then up north...When I first moved down here all the tint in my previous car turned completely yellow and starting pelling within 3 months.

 

[mrsilv04]

Just find a reputable local shop to do it. It really isn't that expensive, and it will last for several years if it is done right with good quality tint film.

When you remove it, it can be done, but it is time consuming. The tint will leave glue on the glass, and will have to be thoroughly removed.

The biggest thing is to NOT clean the tint with Windex. Ammonia is bad for tint. Glass Plus works great on tint, however, I clean my tint with nothing more than a wet chamois.

I had my Silverado done, and don't regret it. The rear window and the extended cab windows had factory 18% privacy tint. I had the shop put 35% tint on the front doors (which is illegal in this state). But since the front windows still look lighter than the back windows, it is difficult to tell at a glance that the front windows are too dark to be factory tint.

If I'd had the front windows done with 20% tint to match, it would be obvious that the front windows are too dark... and that would equal a ticket.

 

[Edmond]

I generally do not like paying someone to do labor but tints are something that is well spent if you find a good shop. It's as easy as seeing someone with good tints and asking them where they got it from. I've found that 99.9% of people are very willing and helpful to answer when you ask them where they got their work done at because it looks [censored].

Pay the extra for a reputable shop. I paid $225 for my Z06 to get tinted but the shop has a very good rep and a lifetime warranty. I only got 35% tint since that's the max in OK. My tC, I got that tinted in IL and did 25% on the back and 35% on the driver/passenger sides.

In the long run, saving $50 for tints isn't worth having it peel, bubble and having to pay to have it redone.

As for removing tint, I'd pay to have that done as well.

 

[Benzadmiral]

And I'm chime in to second CrownVic4Life. Now that I've had tint on my cars here and in Colorado, there's no way I'd let them go without tint.

The best time to have it done, if you have a choice, is when (if) your area has about a week of warm dry weather, so the tint will dry out quicker. I had mine done in March of 2008, when the forecast called for lower humidity. Then I left the car in the sun without my sunshades up during the day to increase the interior temp. In less than a week the film was set, and I could run the windows up and down. No problems in two years.

 

[mechtech2]

If you have to ask, then have it done professionally.
Really, it is smart.
Nose around for people who do this all the time, and have been in business a while.
Get the GOOD stuff. And a warranty.
When you have narrowed it down to 2 shops, ask them your questions.

 

[raaizin]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
If you have to ask, then have it done professionally.
Really, it is smart.
Nose around for people who do this all the time, and have been in business a while.
Get the GOOD stuff. And a warranty.
When you have narrowed it down to 2 shops, ask them your questions.


Thanks for the info. There is NO WAY I was going to do this myself. I wanted to know if a professionally applied tint would stand up to normal wear and tear. Looks like the consensus is yes

Ray

 

[bigmike]

I prefer 3M tint. Good quality. I've had 3M window tint on all my vehicles and it holds up well. Be careful when you clean it (use a soft, clean cloth) and use something appropriate for tinted windows. Don't roll down your windows until it cures.

A good shop (ask around) can remove the tint without damaging your defrost lines. Inspect it for uniformity, scratches, etc. before you leave.