Anything I should know before tinting my windows?

[MiniThug]

In my truck (99 GMC Sierra) the back windows are factory tinted but not very dark. Ive been planning on getting them darkened as well as having the front two windows tinted. Is there anything I should know before I do this? Ive seen many cars whos tint has bubbled or turned purplish and want to avoid this. Is there any certain type of tinting I should ask or look for? Any opinions on window tinting at all? Thanks

 

[Delusion2001]

get a factory tint (made into the glass), and not a add-on tint. those have the bubbles

also, make sure you know what amount of tinting is legal....

 

[ElFenix]

don't do it yourself, thats why it bubbles. and don't roll down your windows for like a week afterward.

 

[Viper GTS]

I believe the key to avoiding the purplish/bubbled mess is to get metallic film tint... I dunno about brands or anything, but I did pick that up from a recent thread.

Opinions? It looks good, I'm not sure if I'd want the hassle (cops).

Viper GTS

 

[MiniThug]

Oh I wasnt planing on doing it myself so I dont have to worry about that mess. And I cant get factory tint because I want it darker than it is and I dont want to have to replace the windows. I have also heard the thing about not rolling down your windows for a while, I believe I heard 3 days or something like that. I was looking for information on the types of tint, like where viper GTS suggested metalic. I know that the back windows can be tinted any ammount, its the front two that can get you in trouble. Im sure the place I choose to do it will be able to help me in that. I was just looking for your experiences and thoughts on the matter. Thanks

 

[ElFenix]

factory tint? most i've seen are dealer options. they're using the same stuff as the good tint/alarm/stereo places. maybe its 3 days, they'll tell you when you get it installed.

 

[yakko]

It will be darker inside your car.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Get the lifetime warranty, Formula One tint is good! Don't ever do it yourself!

 

[lepper boy]

Check state regs..... In ORegon that Sticky stuff you put on the glass is actually illegal. But most cops unless they are dork heads won't bother with it.

 

[Emulex]

Llumar formula one all the way. Dye-based tints will turn purple after a few years. Metallic lumar will not.

By the way, in most states its heavily punishable to do illegal tints. Hope you know someone that will break the law for you, or you may be stuck with gay ass 32% tint

 

[MiniThug]

where can I go to find info on this formula one?

 

[bcterps]

Just make sure you go to a good shop to get it done right. Ask for friends or just look some shops up in the phone book. The people at the shop will tell you what you need to know and should guarantee their work.

--Ben

 

[Plantanthera]

Reheat the glass to 900C then dip it in a acid bath of diff chemicals of your prefference To produce various colours. Cadmium & Radium give you a bright orangy red, deep red can be Cadmium or Copper, diff shade of green can be from Chromium, Copper & Iron, pink uses Magnesium or Lithium, blue uses Lithium or Cobalt, and to get purple uses Manganese & Lithium/Cobalt. To create black uses high concerntration of Iron + Magnesium + Cobalt.

 

[MiniThug]

bump

 

[divinemartyr]

In most states, the legal tinting limit on the passenger and driver's side windows is 35%. Most of the other windows in the vehicle can be tinted to 5%, but no darker, you still have to be able to see through the window if there IS a window in place.

On your windshield, most states will allow you to tint 8 inches down from the top, but you should check with your local laws to make sure of this.



<< I believe the key to avoiding the purplish/bubbled mess is to get metallic film tint... I dunno about brands or anything, but I did pick that up from a recent thread. >>



It doesn't necessarily have to be metallic film, but companies do have different guarantees on tint.

When you go to the shop, make sure they have a demo vehicle or two on display (usually the owner's car or the tinter's car) and ask to see the tint job up close. Also, ask the shop the specific warranty on the film. If you get a film which has a lifetime warranty (most shops which ONLY do tinting, or only tinting and a couple other things, will offer this as a choice) you should be fine from avoiding purplish fades. Avoiding the bubbles is all a matter of the tinter's individual abilities as well as you not rolling down your windows for approximately 7 days.

dm

 

[buck]

Dont roll down windows, and dont use your defogger.

 

[Emulex]

its 4 days, i had a car done in 40 degree rainy temps, 4 days was fine. The bubbles will settle away in about two weeks, or sooner if its hot and not humid. A good tinter will have a 0 bubble warranty. Watch them tint the car, its pretty simple if you have the right tools and know how to cut well.

 

[urameatball]

to prevent bubbles, find a hot day to do this...
also the best advice I could give you is spray the window with windex before applying the tint... the amonia in windex will dry in a few minutes, but within that time, you will be able to shift and squeeze every bubble out of the tinting process to get a perfect stick!

I haven't tried windex on tinting myself, but I spend lots of time putting on decals for plastic models and windex is the key to making a perfect bond without any bubbles! I'm thinking plastic is same as glass, and decals are same as tinting.

so good luck!

 

[MiniThug]

Oh there wont be any problem with it being hot, down here in Texas its getting pretty warm already.

 

[MiniThug]

Okay, I found out the local shop that many people have recommended to me uses Sunguard Metallic tint. Anyone know if this is good stuff? He said it has a lifetime warranty through him as well as the manufacurer against fading, tearing, bubling, etc so I guess you really cant go wrong with that. What do you think?