Window Tinting

[FlaresideLariat]

Hi Everyone,

I'm considering tinting the windows in my car. I am looking for assistance in this operation. Yes, that means you, the one with aftermarket tint on your windows...

According to TintCenter.com, Georgia Law states that:

HOW DARK CAN WINDOW TINT BE IN GEORGIA?

Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In Georgia, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.

Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.
Front_Side_Windows Must allow more than 32% of light in.
Back_Side_Windows Must allow more than 32% of light in.
Rear_Window Must allow more than 32% of light in.
_
HOW REFLECTIVE CAN THE TINT BE IN GEORGIA?

Similar to sunglass lenses, some tinting film contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light and reducing the glare and heat generated by visible light.

Front_Side_Windows Must not be more than 20% reflective.
Back_Side_Windows Must not be more than 20% reflective.
_
OTHER GEORGIA RULES AND REGULATIONS

Restricted_Colors The tint color(s) of RED are not legal by state law.
Side_Mirrors No restrictions.
Certificate_Requirements Manufacturers of film need to certify the film they sell in the state. Ask your dealer if they are using ceritified film.
Sticker_Requirements The sticker to identify legal tinting is required on the windshield.
Medical_Exemption State allows medical exemptions for special tint. For more details about the specific terms of the exemption, consult your state law.

In other words, can someone please explain what that all means? All I know that, the lower the tint percentage, the darker it is. I don't know if regular tint percentage refers to reflective or amount of light allowed in.

If I had all windows except for the windshield the darkest they can possibly be, would it look funny if the windshield is just regular window color instead of being tinted? I'm not sure how it would look on my vehicle- 1993 Buick Regal.

About the types of films, I read that there is dyed, metallized, and hybrid. I am not real concerned with UV rays not coming through, but maybe less glare, more cooler when it's hot outside, and more privacy.

I don't want to be cheap in spending money on this, but I don't want to go all out either. Anybody have an estimate cost? What do you all recommend?

Keep in mind:


FL

[SVT Lightning]

All I can say is, have a PROFESSIONAL do it. If you don't know what you are doing, it will look like ****. I had my truck done for $180 and it is flawless!

[FlaresideLariat]

Originally posted by SVT Lightning
All I can say is, have a PROFESSIONAL do it. If you don't know what you are doing, it will look like ****. I had my truck done for $180 and it is flawless!

Do you know the specs of the tint/film you got on your truck?

[SVT Lightning]

Not sure of the actual % but the back window is what's called "limo dark" and the sides are one step less. Not legal in Oregon but I've never been hassled by the police. The guy who installed the tint has "limo dark" on all his windows. An SVT Cobra Mustang.

[Vandelete]

Well first i had my own car tinted by an company (here in the Netherlands) and the VTL was 75% (sow i had 35% dark) tinted what is acceptes in our vehicle LAWs. After that i decides to go the oppsite way and tinted this time myself the windows with a VTL of 35% you can sure do it yourself but you need a lot of patience to do it well... learned by mistakes the job was well done (see the pics) but all I have to say ...when you do the windows yourself. just get the windows out of the doors (the front doors & maybe the back doors if possible) then you have much more space to work properly. make the windows as much as you can clean and use as much as you can soap to attach the film over it. and if possible you need a good temperature not too hot (because the film will dry too fast and you can`t move it anymore & too cold and wet you will see that the film you attach will not dry and stick too the windows)...ow and don`t use for removing the soap between the window and film a hard plastic scraper (i don`t know the proper word for it sorry) if u use it make sure there`s a little piece of soft material (like rubber) sow you don`t make scratches on the inside on the film ..If you do soo it will look horrible.

This was how the car was done by the company: you see it`s a little bit too light much darker is more beautiful but hey that`s in my opnion...the first film was from Illuminar




And this it was done by myself with the much darker film..





lot`s of luck with yours

[RickRS]

The films manufacturer has both numbers; transmission percentage (amount of light that passes through) and reflective percentage (amount of light that is reflected).

If you check the packages at your local auto parts store, it will have % of transmission boldly displayed on the package. Reflective % is low for traditional gray film and only become a factor when you go for the mirrored sunglasses type look.

Having tried the DIY approach myself, I would suggest going to a professional. He/she has the tools and tricks to get the job done right, and can guarantee their work. They can show you what a legal tint package for your state is like. I have a Ford Contour tinted for $225 with 3M film two years ago. That after dropping $60 on DIY film, which started to bubble. Fortunately, I got it off myself, otherwise the price would have been higher.

Vandelete is correct, you can do it yourself. The trick is having the glass spotlessly clean and working in a dustfree environment. Any dust or dirt can cause your film to bubble.

35% film on all window, with a clear windshield doesn't look odd, at least not to me. Thats on the lighter side of tint scales. "Limo" tint is 5% or 2% transmission, so that is not legal in most states.

States do not allow overall front windshield tinting because it reduces your vision at night

[FlaresideLariat]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Still thinking about it, but I don't think I will follow through with it. I think I'm just gonna drive that car till it dies. THEN I'll get me a F150 and go from there....

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

The only problem I have ever had with window tint is trying to back up at night; you can not see very well through some tinted windows.

Tim

[Vandelete]

yeah that`s right...that is the only thing what is less usefull of window tinting...

but it still looks great in my opnion

[Zitosonic]

Re: Window Tinting

Originally posted by FlaresideLariat
Hi Everyone,

I'm considering tinting the windows in my car. I am looking for assistance in this operation. Yes, that means you, the one with aftermarket tint on your windows...


FL

Hello Flare
I go through this experince last week and man i learn a lot... its not that hard you just need to keep everything clean.
Check this site for tips and tricks
http://www.tintdude.com/tint.html

I haven't take pictures of my windows (camera is broken) hope i got the new one soon.

The pro's charge me from 80 to 100 dollars for remove old tint and tint with regular (not high performance tint)... I only spend like 30 dollars on tint and materials(squeege, razor blades, steel wool, windex, amonia, paper towels). Any help you need PM me.

Ahmed