Automotive Tint discuss? Worth it?

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FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
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929
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Tint makes the glass heat up a lot more. Then you have heat radiating right next to your face.
It's a trade-off.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
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I tinted my Firebird for slightly different reasons, to prevent theft. I got 5% on the rear window because my amp was directly below it. Didn't want anyone seeing it and try to break into my car to get it. Also, without the tint, the amp wouldn't even turn on until I drove for a few minutes with the windows down to get some air through the heatsinks and cool it down. Why they made the heatsinks black I'll never know. At least I knew my thermal protection worked...
Thermal emissivity. I guess they just figured the heatsinks wouldn't be in the sun.
 
Nov 7, 2000
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i loved having it growing up in texas. i miss it now, and will probably get my car tinted soon. the place i have been recommended is 189, they use 3M tint.
 

hanoverphist

Diamond Member
Dec 7, 2006
9,867
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I don't like tint because you can see better at night without it. And it's not like the windshield gets tinted, so it doesn't benefit you when you're driving during the day either. The only benefit is less greenhouse effect when parked.

you can get a 70% on the windshield which is virtually clear with all the same UV protection. makes a huge difference. if done well, you cant even tell its tinted.

i have 50/16 on my truck, and am putting the same on my civic hatch. 189 for that car is a good price, its not the easiest to tint. the only time ive had difficulty seeing at night was while camping. but i usually have lights for that anyway
 

pwnagesarus

Senior member
Apr 9, 2007
421
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0
Not to thread jack, but if anyone is from the Seattle area and could recommend a good tint shop, let me know. A shop that was recommended to me (Accutint) wants $100 for stripping the existing tint, and $300 for new tint. I assume that's without this state's ridiculous sales tax.

I hear Accutint is one of the best in the area...but I guess you get what you pay for.

I've gone to Tint Xxperts to Auburn twice and they've done a great job...only minor issue was they did not want to cut the film for my windshield strip for fear of not being straight (my windshield is curved so it looks like a unibrow). My friends have gone and had no complaints. I believe they do tints for all the dealers and cops (personal vehicles) in the area. Last time I went, it ran me $200 for all around (4 windows + back).

I have 20% all around, which has given me sight issues once or twice, 10% windshield strip and 45% in the windshield which has never given me problems. During the day 20% still shows your silhouette so it's not completely dark from the outside. I've driven around WA and SoCal in this car and have never been pulled over because of tint. The one time I did get pulled over at night, I simply rolled down all my windows as the cop approached.
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
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MN tint laws are 50 all-around and I have had illegal tint on pretty much every vehicle I have owned and never got hassled. As long as you don't have 'limo tint' you are usually fine, or be an a$$hole to the cop...

I usually stuck to ~30 to avoid issues. It's enough tint that I notice it while not drawing too much attention to myself.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
4,815
33
91
Not to thread jack, but if anyone is from the Seattle area and could recommend a good tint shop, let me know. A shop that was recommended to me (Accutint) wants $100 for stripping the existing tint, and $300 for new tint. I assume that's without this state's ridiculous sales tax.
Check Yelp. That's how I found my local tint shop.

Before Yelp existed, I'd call a higher-end car dealership and ask them where they go for their tinting.
 
Oct 19, 2000
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I always get my windows tinted, makes the inside of the car a lot cooler. My preference is 20% on the sides, 13% on the back window.

Plus, I can pick my nose and know that people can't easily see me in all but the brightest direct light.
 

zoiks

Lifer
Jan 13, 2000
11,787
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Any place in the bay area where I can go to get my car tinted? I know some places charge 500 or so to get a G37 tinted. I'd rather not spend so much.