Tint Front Door Glass

[Joe Mc]

I'm a do it yourselfer, anyone got a line on a smoke film that's a close match to the factory rear doors? Would like to do before the weekend. Please be specific manufacturer name, color name (part number if possible) and where can I purchase the film. I've done it a few times before. Once on a Taurus wagon, talk about a tough job, the quarter glass was a blast!



Thanks

 

[DRR-24V]

Joe,

You might want to check with the local Mounties to see if it's legal.

You can not do it in CA.

 

[Dkevdog]

Go light

And you shouldn't have any trouble. I had mine done at what the tint shop called 20%. It's enough to block some heat and light, but enough that other drivers can still see me. I HATE when I pull up next to a blacked out window. It is very difficult to judge a drivers body language to see what they'll be doing next... . (like merging into you!!)



Kev



PS- I was pulled over (and got out of it) but the officer made no comment about my tint. My nighbor was fined and had to have his removed off his 01 Ram 1500 sport, because he went pretty dark. Course this is in Komunist Kalifornia...

 

[John]

[Greg, please skip over this post]



I have my door glass tinted with 20% film. Although not legal in the State of Washington, I prefer this to the next step up, 35%. Having a black Ram I have found it makes a BIG difference. I also know if I'm pulled over for something it's in my best interest to have my window down, interior light(s) on and both hands on the steering wheel. Since adopting this procedure I have not received anything beyond a warning.



Although, if found to be speeding, I always ask the officer if he's sure... after he states yes and subsequently asks why I tell him, that's odd I didn't think a Diesel could go that fast.

 

[Joe Mc]

John & Kev thanks, sounds like 20% is the way to go. Don, as far as the local mounties they are pretty lenient. And I appreciate the suggestions on how to handle getting pulled over. Especially, "I didn't think a diesel would go that fast"



Later

 

[MoparDave]

Joe, check out the link below for the tinting laws in PA. You may want to print them out and put a copy in your truck. The cops in PA can be tough when it come to aftermarket window tint.



http://www.berksweb.com/users/dmv/tint_chat/index.html

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Why not farm out the job?

John Mc, considering the hassle and work involved in installing window tint, why not just have a pro do it? I had every window but the windshield tinted for $140 and they did a top notch job. Trimmed very nicely and looks virtually factory. For that price it's not worth trying to do yourself and risk a less than perfect job IMO.



Vaughn

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have 20% Lumar tint. It looks pretty close to factory.

 

[KatDiesel]

Any of you that have tinted windows (aftermarket) did you notice everything reflects in the cab ALOT worse then before? Was hoping it was just a characteristic of the "new" tint... but it seems like its not gonig away.



on the outside it looks good... ... on the inside its annoying th ehell out of me? I went 20% added onto the already factory tint.



Any comments?

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I noticed it, i have neon lights under the dash and at night its really bad, its almost like its mirrored.

 

[John]

I agree with Vaughn... I had my two door windows tinted by a local expert for around $90. which also included the optional "shaved" trim (the window tint film is trimmed so close to the edge of the glass you'd swear it is a factory tint job). Very, very impressive!



Besides, another reason I agree with Vaughn; many, many years ago I decided to try window tinting myself. After that 5-alarm clusterf***k I decided it was best left to the pros... and still feel that way today.



Besides, 90 bucks was totally painless considering the quality of the professional grade film, the expert application and the fact that I didn't learn anymore bad words (my wife says I know all of them already)

 

[SmokinGator]

I've always wondered why it should be illegal for the windows to be tinted dark. So the law can see you? Why do they need to see you? If I'm doing nothing illegal what's the point? And if I am, is lack of tint gonna stop me? If they're not comfortable when pulling someone over use the loud speaker to ask the driver to step out of the car. Besides all that, I see many cops (especially DOT) with tint so dark you can't tell if anyone's driving -- why are they above the law?



Dkevdog has a point but I've seen many, many drivers without tint merge without looking. I've also had this experience with not being able to see the driver (in fact, just yesterday) but there are ways of avoiding this without laws -- more defensive driving on my part, etc.



Kat, I'm trying to understand what you mean about the reflection. Do you mean light inside the cab reflects off of the tint or that outside light(s) coming in through the windshield are brighter because the interior is dark? I ask because I questioned my dealer about putting a dark headliner in my truck and he gave me an explanation that revolved around studies showing that dark-colored headliners created more driver fatigue, blah, blah, blah and that's why all Dodge vehicles have the light grey liner.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by SmokinGator

Kat, I'm trying to understand what you mean about the reflection. Do you mean light inside the cab reflects off of the tint or that outside light(s) coming in through the windshield are brighter because the interior is dark? I ask because I questioned my dealer about putting a dark headliner in my truck and he gave me an explanation that revolved around studies showing that dark-colored headliners created more driver fatigue, blah, blah, blah and that's why all Dodge vehicles have the light grey liner.

Light, dark, it doesn't matter what it is. . images reflect in my tint much much more then they used to. Its hard to describe really... ... . jsut seems to show more of a mirror like characteristic. My UP bag on my seat... ... my reflection in drivers window... .....



Just seems its more noticable after the tint. Wondering if they put the tint on backwards or something? LOL Yes I mean things inside the cab reflect... not just lights..... but items... ...

 

[SmokinGator]

Kat,



I'd say I agree on the increased reflection but I wear sunglasses about 99. 999999% of the time so it's not a big deal.



It is possible the tint is backwards -- my tint has a slightly reflective outside surface (which I sorta don't like).

 

[KPancake]

I'm probably going to get the 20% Lumar tint on the front windows. How much did it cost you guys to have yours done professionally? I am leery of doing it myself. Thanks.



Chris

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by SmokinGator

I've always wondered why it should be illegal for the windows to be tinted dark. So the law can see you? Why do they need to see you? If I'm doing nothing illegal what's the point? And if I am, is lack of tint gonna stop me? If they're not comfortable when pulling someone over use the loud speaker to ask the driver to step out of the car. Besides all that, I see many cops (especially DOT) with tint so dark you can't tell if anyone's driving -- why are they above the law?

Gator- you answered your own question- the law is put in place becuase of the idiots. Either way, eye contact is pretty important in many daily driving situations, and if you can at least see the driver, you can dicipher their body language. Here in Orange County, the local police are not as bad as the Highway patrol is for nailing you on it. Either way, I say keep the tint to a reasonable minimum and you'll be left alone. I'm sure to take heat on this, but a black truck with limo tint all the way around just is not safe.



Oh and for what its worth, I have that reflection too, although it doesn't sound as bad as others.



Kev

 

[JConley]

Whenever I buy a new vehicle, it goes straight to the tint shop from the dealer. Even my 65 year old mother in law had the windows tinted on her Navigator. I think it is only 20 percent, but its better than nothing. Cops down here dont give you any problems with window tint since checking the tint is part of the vehicle inspection. If you use 35 or darker, you wont pass inspection. I think the only ones down here without tinted windows are the cops. It was 106 this afternoon, and the tint really helps the AC.

 

[SA Law]

dark tint

in response to the question about why such a big deal is made about window tint, it only becomes a big deal when we (law enforcement officers) deal with the "terds" of society. even though we know that the average person wont do anything, it only takes that one time the tint is too dark to prevent you from seeing the end of ur life. seeing how i work the overnite shift, i tend to be a little cautious about cars w/dark tint, but if i pulled every person out of their car via the loudspeaker i would be accused of harassment or something else... . i have personally had close calls because of dark tint but i am not against it completely, as i realize the danger that comes with this job. . i personally have 20% on my ram, and 5% on the rear glass... sorry so long, just wanted to give a perspective from the other side.

 

[Deezal Man]

Tint cannot be installed backward... Well... . I guess it can, but it will soon fall off the window as soon as the water evaporates.

Besides, tint has an adhesive side.



Be sorta like wrapping christmas presents... . using the tape sticky side out.



Yes tint increases reflection. That is the whole idea of installing tint in the first place. Unfortunately this ends up being a side effect on the inside as well.



Darker tints reflect more light, hence more reflection. The plus side is that you aren't letting as much light inside to begin with... so it may equal itself out.



As the tint ages, the amount of reflection will decrease somewhat.



I'm assuming you know not to use Windex on tint? or anything with ammonia. Ever see a car with Purple tint???? Well, they didn't install it that way, thats what happens when you clean tint with an ammonia based product.



Make sure the product states "safe for tint". And forget using newspaper. .



FWIW: You'll never get pulled over for 35% tint on the side windows, nor do I know anyone who had trouble at PA inspection time...



20%..... depends upon the officer... and whether he had a fresh donut that morning. .

 

[Doc Tinker]

I've thought about tinting my driver and passenger windows, but only on the top portion, and curving it down to the door panel, in the front, following the shape of the window top.



I have a problem with the sun visor that doesn't cover far enough back and I get blinded by the sun when it's to my left. A dark tint, done this way, would be legal. It probably would look like the window is open all the time though.



Doc