Topic: Which Window Tint?

[Hntbambi]

My Black Av  will definitely need some window tint for this summer.  It will probably live outside and the radiant heat in the sun is nasty.  It has the factory tint in the back windows (20% VLT) and I plan to add 35% VLT to the front windows.  We are allowed 20% up front here in New Mexico, but some nearby states like Arizona do not, so I will be legal there too.  Any  recommendations on what film to go with?  I will probably do a DIY job.  This thing will see dusty dirty environment, so the better scratch resistance and heat blocking the better. 

[bluedevil]

I dont have much experience in this field as i removed my tints 3 times in 2 years (illegal in IL) and dont use them anymore.

I think any is just as good at autozone but if you have the dough,  check out http://www.huperoptikusa.com/consumer_auto.cfm

$400 wraps a coupe.

[Hntbambi]

Thanks BD, yeah the Huper stuff is top end but they only sell it through professional installers. 

I am leaning toward getting a roll of the stuff from autoparts or WallyWorld.  Worst case is I take it off and I am out $15.

[oHIobellboy]

Thanks BD, yeah the Huper stuff is top end but they only sell it through professional installers. 

I am leaning toward getting a roll of the stuff from autoparts or WallyWorld.  Worst case is I take it off and I am out $15.

Worse case scenario is you have to do it once a year. It's cheap enough.

[Darren]

I don't know whether you have put it on yourself before or not but if not it is a pain in the a$$!  I tried doing mine and ended up pulling it off and taking it to a professional.  It looks much better having it professionally done and if you use a good dealer they will use quality material and guarantee it for life.

I'd personally go with 20% to match the back as it will look better as long as it is legal in your state. Don't worry about going into another state with illegal tint as they can't do anything to you unless you are tagged there.         

[Donnie1]

I agree with Darren. if New Mexico allows 20% and you have NM plates, then Az can't do anything to you. I wish we could do 20% here in Mo.

[MyBigToy]

If you decide to try it yourself I'd suggest you buy pre-cut tint from eBay. It will be a whole lot easier to install than trying to cut it to fit yourself.

I installed uncut limo tint on the back glass and extended cab side windows on my old 94 Sonoma and it was a PITA to cut correctly since I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't have too much trouble installing it; the main thing is to get the glass squeaky clean and to use lots of soapy water solution on both the glass and the tint when installing it. I only ended up with a couple of very small bubbles that you had to look for.

[Hntbambi]

Don't worry about going into another state with illegal tint as they can't do anything to you unless you are tagged there.         

Actually, this is not true.  The statute that would be cited under is ARS 28-959-01.  It does not include an express exception for out-of-state vehicles.  The cops can and do give out tickets to out-of-staters.  If you feel like driving 4-8 hours back to fight it in court, you may indeed win, but just because you are tagged in another state does not make you immune from receiving a ticket.  It's all about revenue these days.  I live 40 miles from Texas and 140 from Arizona.  I do visit them both regularly. 

I did order a 35% front window kit from E-Bay and I bought a roll of 35% Gila film from the auto parts.  I can practice on the wife's Toyota.  If I eff it up, oh well. 

I will be happy with 35%.  I prefer having more visibility out of the windows in low light conditions.  I am not that picky about how the vehicle looks.  In fact, it will probably have some desert pinstriping this weekend when I take it out in search of coyotes.  Nothing like the sound of branches scraping against the sides of a brand new truck to make your day. 

[NorthJerseyAvalanche]

i just told the guy i know at the local tint shop to match up the front ones with the back ones...not sure what percentage he used, but they match perfectly now..will post pictures later

[SHADOW]

try to go with metal type, instead of the vinyl material, I know in the state of FL they use the metal material, my 04 Av has it. my 07 has the vinyl. Big difference 04 looks better.
metal is more heat resistance will not bubble.
I had my old 02 Av done in FL and the 04 done there also, my 07 done IL

[MyBigToy]

try to go with metal type, instead of the vinyl material, I know in the state of FL they use the metal material, my 04 Av has it. my 07 has the vinyl. Big difference 04 looks better.
metal is more heat resistance will not bubble.
I had my old 02 Av done in FL and the 04 done there also, my 07 done IL

I actually like ceramic better than either the standard dyed or metal-matrix. Ceramic rejects heat better than the other two. It is a little more expensive.

The downside to dyed is that it tends to fade more over time than the others. The downside to the metal-matrix is that it can interfere with radio reception if you have an antenna in the glass like my CTS has.

[oHIobellboy]

Great info from everyone. 

[Hntbambi]

Yep, great info guys!  Thanks much!

[R3D DR4G0N]

i just told the guy i know at the local tint shop to match up the front ones with the back ones...not sure what percentage he used, but they match perfectly now..will post pictures later

 

TY for posting what you did.  I want to do the same thing with my '04 avy, but was unsure on the legalities.  apparently, when a guy on another site put 20% tint OVER the factory back windows, with a total 95% tint, or a vlt percentage of 5% (limo tint), which makes FACTORY tint 75%.  If you match up the front with the back, NYS says thats 5% too dark, but whats 5%?  Im doing it too, lol.

Jon

[AvyPrncss]

TY for posting what you did.  I want to do the same thing with my '04 avy, but was unsure on the legalities.  apparently, when a guy on another site put 20% tint OVER the factory back windows, with a total 95% tint, or a vlt percentage of 5% (limo tint), which makes FACTORY tint 75%.  If you match up the front with the back, NYS says thats 5% too dark, but whats 5%?  Im doing it too, lol.

Jon

Around me the cops usually give you crap if you have anything lower then 25%. They dont really bother us if we have anything higher that that. I personally am planning on taking my truck in soon to get it tinted and I will be going with 15% on all my windows. I know it wont be legal but the worst case scenario I get fined and told to un tint them but I know most NY cops wont pull you over just because of tints. Thats usually one of their bonus tickets as I call them. They wont typically give it unless they pull you over for something else.

[R3D DR4G0N]

Around me the cops usually give you crap if you have anything lower then 25%. They dont really bother us if we have anything higher that that. I personally am planning on taking my truck in soon to get it tinted and I will be going with 15% on all my windows. I know it wont be legal but the worst case scenario I get fined and told to un tint them but I know most NY cops wont pull you over just because of tints. Thats usually one of their bonus tickets as I call them. They wont typically give it unless they pull you over for something else.

I got pulled over once with my '83 Buick Park Avenue with limo tint (from the factory!), and he very nicely explained to me the danger it poses to them with such a dark tint.  Afterwards, he grabbed a "V" shaped device and clipped it to my driver's side door.  It was definitely illegal, and he let me off without a ticket.  He suggested I take off the front window tints because another officer might not be as cool as he was.

If I were to get matching front and rear tints, I think I will be okay around where I live.

Thank you for the quick reply!

Jon

[trainedsnypa]

I will be getting 15% all around


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