Tints and window use

[JHZR2]

Hi,

What are the issues with using the car windows if you have tint? Are there any with modern "ceramic" tints?

Considering adding tint to a recent car which likely has uv blocking in the glass, but is a frameless window, so when the door opens, the glass drops, and when the door closes, the glass pushes up against the upper seal. Also it is a convertible, so most any time I'm in it, the intent is to have windows down (tint is mostly for protection when sitting in the direct sun all day).

The other application is an old coupe where the windows are also frameless though not electrically moved with each door opening. The use cycle is FAR less, butnot every mating surface necessarily has a felt-coated squeege.

I'd likely be looking at the very faint blue ceramic tint though I forget the manufacturer. No ghetto looks or excessive darkness.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[Jim 5]

My neighbor had a new M3 that he had tinted (including the frameless windows). The tint shop didn't tint the outside the last 1/4" (or maybe it was 1/8" or 3/16") of the glass next to the exposed edges of the frameless glass.

That missing 1/4" or so of tint disappeared into the rubber molding when the door was closed. He had the windows that go up half an inch when the door is closed as you referenced and he had no issues in the 3 years he owned the car. I don't have any details about the film that was used other than it was a 3M product.

Should be very similar if this is your 135i we are talking about.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Hi,

What are the issues with using the car windows if you have tint? Are there any with modern "ceramic" tints?

Considering adding tint to a recent car which likely has uv blocking in the glass, but is a frameless window, so when the door opens, the glass drops, and when the door closes, the glass pushes up against the upper seal. Also it is a convertible, so most any time I'm in it, the intent is to have windows down (tint is mostly for protection when sitting in the direct sun all day).

The other application is an old coupe where the windows are also frameless though not electrically moved with each door opening. The use cycle is FAR less, butnot every mating surface necessarily has a felt-coated squeege.

I'd likely be looking at the very faint blue ceramic tint though I forget the manufacturer. No ghetto looks or excessive darkness.

Thanks for any insight!


As a very good friend of mine has owned a automotive window tinting company for 10+ years, I can tell you that WHO puts the tint on is very important. The application is the key.


Quality tint film is Llumar, Johnson's, and Suntek.

Now, unlike most "tint shops" will tell you, NO applied tint film will last forever. I quality film, applied by a pro, on a car with soft gaskets and easy window up down system, can and should last about 6-12 years with normal use.

You wont know how well it will work until you try it and see.

As I said, get a pro to do it. LOOK at who is going to be doing the job. NO KIDS getting paid $40 bucks a day!!!!!

 

[Hokiefyd]

My '07 Corolla and '11 Camry both had/have tint applied by the Toyota dealer. They use the 3M brand of tint and they have done a very nice job in both cars. I use the driver side window literally every day, as I pass through a security gate to get to work. No issues at all with the tint and window use.