This thread is to clear up all the confusion on the tinting of automobile windows.
What types of automotive tint is available?
There are basically two types of automotive window tint available today: Dyed and high performance metallized.
Dyed
or Non-Reflective Automotive tint are just that, dyed polyester with an adhesive and scratch coating on them.
Metallized
or High Performance Automotive tint have a layer of metal over top of the dyed polyester. This construction allows the tint to last longer, as the metal coating helps to better protect the tint and subsequently your vehicle and passengers, from damaging sun rays.
What is the life span of window tint?
The effective life span of window tint depends on the types of film, glass, and climate. There are documented cases of film lasting 12 to 22 years or more in some instances. This should not, however, be assumed to be the normal expected life of Automotive Window tints
What do most professionals recommend?
Professionals recommend the Metallized Automotive Window tints because they offer extra protection for both you and the product. The extra protection means the film will last longer and stand up to the damaging sun’s rays longer.
Whats the darkest tint for my car? Or what percents do they offer?
Automotive tints are available in four main shades or approximate light transmissions: 50%, 35%, 20% and 5%. These numbers correspond to how much light the film allows in. 5% or “limo” tint is the darkest shade allowing only 5% of the light to pass into the vehicle.
Does window tint help cool my car when using A/C?
Adding automotive Window tints to your vehicle will help reduce heat gain into your driving compartment. This will subsequently help your air-conditioning unit from continuously pumping out cool air at a maximum setting. Therefore, once a comfort level is reached by your vehicle’s air-conditioning unit, maintaining that comfort level will not be as difficult.
Does tint help stop the fading of my interior?
No window tint can stop fading, but it will reduce the how fast it fades by stopping most of the damaging UV rays that fade your interior.
Will window tint make it difficult for me to see at night?
Depending on what your personal preference is, and what percentage tint you apply, your visibility will be reduced in varying degrees. It is not recommended that one put the darkest percentage window tint on the rear windows of your vehicle if you engage in a lot of night driving. However, darker tints help cut the glare of headlights approaching from behind.
How do i choose how dark of tint i want?
Well, that pretty much filters down to your own preference on how dark you want your windows, and what the lowest percent your state allows is.
For those who are not sure what there state regulations are i have provided a link to a site where you can click your state and find your tinting laws.
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/
Now that i have learned about tinting and i have chosen my tint. How do i go about installing this?
I and most people will recommend having your window tint professionally installed. For two main reasons 1) you know it will be done right and 2) Because some places offer warranties on there tint/work.
But if your a do-it-yourselfer like alot of us tuners are, and you want to do this yourself i have provided several links and a video on DIY tinting.
http://www.ehow.com/how_11194_tint-windows.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/tinting-windows
Well i have had window tint for awhile now and want to remove it. any suggestion?
Here is a short video on how to remove the tint and avoid the stickyness on the window
I have heard during an accident tint reduces window shatter?
That is in fact true. Applied on glass can prevent flying glass splinters in the event of accidental breakage. However it does not reduce the chance of glass panes breakage
When i go to a shop, what are some questions i should ask the tech?
There are a few question that you should ask before you make your decision Those are,
1. How many cars do you tint? How long will it take?
2. Can I see examples of your work?
3. What are the local laws?
4. What is the guarantee?
5. What brand and type tinting does the price include? (Make sure you understand the warranty for the type of film quoted.)
6. How do you finish the top edge of roll down windows? Is there a gap, or no gap?
7. Will the rear window be installed in one piece?
How should i clean my tinted windows?
Just clean your windows like you regularly would. Just DO NOT use ammonia based cleaners such as windex. There are various other window cleaner that are ammonia free. The reason for not using ammonia cleaners is because it will eat your tint and ruin it.
I would like to see example of tints, do you have any?
With alittle searching i have found various tint %'s on windows to show you
50%
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/phot...58847_8363.jpg
35%
http://www.vhoist.com/uploaded_image...00023_full.jpg
20%
http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/files/472/edited.JPG
5%
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/42...600x600Q85.jpg
What types of automotive tint is available?
There are basically two types of automotive window tint available today: Dyed and high performance metallized.
Dyed
or Non-Reflective Automotive tint are just that, dyed polyester with an adhesive and scratch coating on them.
Metallized
or High Performance Automotive tint have a layer of metal over top of the dyed polyester. This construction allows the tint to last longer, as the metal coating helps to better protect the tint and subsequently your vehicle and passengers, from damaging sun rays.
What is the life span of window tint?
The effective life span of window tint depends on the types of film, glass, and climate. There are documented cases of film lasting 12 to 22 years or more in some instances. This should not, however, be assumed to be the normal expected life of Automotive Window tints
What do most professionals recommend?
Professionals recommend the Metallized Automotive Window tints because they offer extra protection for both you and the product. The extra protection means the film will last longer and stand up to the damaging sun’s rays longer.
Whats the darkest tint for my car? Or what percents do they offer?
Automotive tints are available in four main shades or approximate light transmissions: 50%, 35%, 20% and 5%. These numbers correspond to how much light the film allows in. 5% or “limo” tint is the darkest shade allowing only 5% of the light to pass into the vehicle.
Does window tint help cool my car when using A/C?
Adding automotive Window tints to your vehicle will help reduce heat gain into your driving compartment. This will subsequently help your air-conditioning unit from continuously pumping out cool air at a maximum setting. Therefore, once a comfort level is reached by your vehicle’s air-conditioning unit, maintaining that comfort level will not be as difficult.
Does tint help stop the fading of my interior?
No window tint can stop fading, but it will reduce the how fast it fades by stopping most of the damaging UV rays that fade your interior.
Will window tint make it difficult for me to see at night?
Depending on what your personal preference is, and what percentage tint you apply, your visibility will be reduced in varying degrees. It is not recommended that one put the darkest percentage window tint on the rear windows of your vehicle if you engage in a lot of night driving. However, darker tints help cut the glare of headlights approaching from behind.
How do i choose how dark of tint i want?
Well, that pretty much filters down to your own preference on how dark you want your windows, and what the lowest percent your state allows is.
For those who are not sure what there state regulations are i have provided a link to a site where you can click your state and find your tinting laws.
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/
Now that i have learned about tinting and i have chosen my tint. How do i go about installing this?
I and most people will recommend having your window tint professionally installed. For two main reasons 1) you know it will be done right and 2) Because some places offer warranties on there tint/work.
But if your a do-it-yourselfer like alot of us tuners are, and you want to do this yourself i have provided several links and a video on DIY tinting.
http://www.ehow.com/how_11194_tint-windows.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/tinting-windows
Well i have had window tint for awhile now and want to remove it. any suggestion?
Here is a short video on how to remove the tint and avoid the stickyness on the window
I have heard during an accident tint reduces window shatter?
That is in fact true. Applied on glass can prevent flying glass splinters in the event of accidental breakage. However it does not reduce the chance of glass panes breakage
When i go to a shop, what are some questions i should ask the tech?
There are a few question that you should ask before you make your decision Those are,
1. How many cars do you tint? How long will it take?
2. Can I see examples of your work?
3. What are the local laws?
4. What is the guarantee?
5. What brand and type tinting does the price include? (Make sure you understand the warranty for the type of film quoted.)
6. How do you finish the top edge of roll down windows? Is there a gap, or no gap?
7. Will the rear window be installed in one piece?
How should i clean my tinted windows?
Just clean your windows like you regularly would. Just DO NOT use ammonia based cleaners such as windex. There are various other window cleaner that are ammonia free. The reason for not using ammonia cleaners is because it will eat your tint and ruin it.
I would like to see example of tints, do you have any?
With alittle searching i have found various tint %'s on windows to show you
50%
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/phot...58847_8363.jpg
35%
http://www.vhoist.com/uploaded_image...00023_full.jpg
20%
http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/files/472/edited.JPG
5%
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/42...600x600Q85.jpg
-visualpoet
" threads to increase significantly in the near future.
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