Window Tint

[mlewis73]

My '06 Ram 3500 ought to be delivered to the dealer within the next day or so... which means I'll get to drive it home soon.



What are folks' experiences with window tinting? I want to have one or two shades lighter than the darkest tint legally allowed in Texas put onto the windows of the truck. I am doing this mainly to keep UV out of the truck and allow the A/C to do its job easier.



What types of tint are available? What quality levels? I want this stuff to look good 10 years from now.



Is tint removable if it starts looking like junk?





Thank you,



Mike

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I just had my front windows tinted with 35%, and it looks nice.



Yes, you can remove old or bad tint with a razor blade and adhesive remover. It's a pain to do, though.



Most importantly, find a tinter with a good reputation, and go with the film the recommend. There are lots of good tints available, but the installer plays a bigger role in quality of installation.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

If you intend to keep the vehicle for very long get the good tint, I had 3M tint put on my mini van, it is guaranteed for 20 years against turning purple or giveing problems, the cheap tint is usually good for 4-5yrs. my '02 has 5% on it, basically you can't see inside the truck at all unless there is direct sunlight coming through the windshield. I put the cheap stuff on it, knowing I may have to take it off for a tint ticket or for inspection every 2 yrs. In texas I believe 35% is legal on the front windows, you can do the rear quad doors and rear window as dark as you want. I would recommend in your case 20% on the front windows and 5% on the back sides and back window. This will be illegal but should work out good, 5% on the front windows is a little tuff when makeing turns at night in neighborhoods, Its real hard to see whats next to the truck, sometimes I just role down the windows when I am close to the house. I Think texas is like here, only the DPS troopers will mess with you on tint, so when you see one just crank the windows down.



on edit: it appears texas is 25% on all side windows and whatever on the back. This is acutally a faily liberal standard compared to most states. utah is 43% on the fronts, which sucks, usually the factory tint+the added tint will bring down your acutal VLT 2 or 3%, so if you put 25% on it would prolly measure 22 or 23% with a meter on the truck. I would still do the 20% and the 5% on the back

 

[WAckerman]

I Think texas is like here, only the DPS troopers will mess with you on tint, so when you see one just crank the windows down.

Cummins Cowboy, you've never been pulled over for tint by local law enforcement in the SLC area? I have been once and my sister has been twice. West Jordan was one jurisdiction, while SLCo. Sheriff were the 2 others... I need your luck!

 

[LAugustine]

Before you spend the money on tint look into a TSB for window felt. It was about scratching aftermarket tint on the front windows. I got mine (2003) tinted before I saw the TSB. My tint is pretty scratched up. Went to the dealer to see about the replacement felt, said about $300 parts and labor, I told him I'd live with the $70 tint and scratches.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

Cummins Cowboy, you've never been pulled over for tint by local law enforcement in the SLC area? I have been once and my sister has been twice. West Jordan was one jurisdiction, while SLCo. Sheriff were the 2 others... I need your luck!

I didn't say that, I have actually gotten one tint ticket from murray city, This guy must have been determined because he had another officer bring the meter, and I had to wait. typically however unless its a highway patrol the windows always stay up. I have even gotten a tint ticket at night, of course by a highway patrol, even though I passed him at 70mph at night. between my 2 old trucks I have got 4 tint tickets, The truck I just now bought came tinted with 35 I think, its ok however so I don't think I will change it to darker, Its just nice looking at all the honeys in their car during the summer and they can't see you gawakin

 

[fozzy]

I have 25% on my front side windows and a big gansta strip across the top of my front windshield. Factory tint on the back sides and rear window, nothing added just stock. Front and back look pretty close to the same and plenty dark. Still not legal in Utah. Check out my reader ride for a idea of what it looks like.

 

[RankRam]

I have 25% on my front side windows and a big gansta strip across the top of my front windshield. Factory tint on the back sides and rear window, nothing added just stock. Front and back look pretty close to the same and plenty dark. Still not legal in Utah. Check out my reader ride for a idea of what it looks like.

Fozzy that truck of yours looks awesome!



I took the liberty of posting a pic of it! Oo.

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[Got Smoke?]

My baby is blacked out all the way around, and with wide strips across top and bottom of the windshield. Is it legal? Heck no! Is it nice to have YOU BET!



Plus, after having my 1st truck broken into twice, my 1st & current diesel have had 5% all the way around so you can't see what I have inside. If I get pulled over for any reason power windows automatically go down. :-laf In TN state law is anything behind driver & passenger door can be as dark as you want, but the driver & pass. doors must be 35% or lighter. You can spray paint the back glass for all they care. :-laf



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[crabman]

FYI,

Most after market tints will turn pinkish when window cleaner that contains ammonia is used. I have talked to serveral people who do window tinting and they all said the same thing, "Do not use any window cleaning product that contains ammonia or the tinting will turn pinkish. Not immediately but they will over time. Use a mixture of vinegar and water or soap and water. "

crabman

 

[Got Smoke?]

FYI,

Most after market tints will turn pinkish when window cleaner that contains ammonia is used. I have talked to serveral people who do window tinting and they all said the same thing, "Do not use any window cleaning product that contains ammonia or the tinting will turn pinkish. Not immediately but they will over time. Use a mixture of vinegar and water or soap and water. "

crabman

Wal-Mart auto section... ... white spray can with purple top. "GUNK" window cleaner, says right on the front ammonia free and works great for tinted windows.

 

[jwduke]

The max in Iowa, is 75%! And the cops will do anything to chase you down.

 

[donnier]

I just had 35% done to the front of my 05.



FYI, check out this site. It gives an idea about the limits for diff states.



http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html



Hope this helps.

 

[sevobuck]

I suggest Lumar film. I have had it on the past 6 vehicles.

 

[99Supercab]

I`m a window tinter by trade, so I gotta chime in here. 3M, Sun-Gard(the brand I install), Solar Gard, and Llumar all make quaility films. TX law is 35% on the front doors. If your looking for something that matches the factory tint, Sun-Gard`s Shadow 32 is an exact match.



Whichever film you go with, get it done a reputable shop and be sure to get the required documantation along with it. All of the manufacturers listed above offer several differant "lifetime warranty" films, so choose wisely.



Also, using ammonia based cleaners on cheaper dyed films did cause them to fade. The ammonia stripped the yellow from the oil based dye they used to use. Most films now (barring the cheap crap still offer by some places) are a hybird film meaning they are a dyed/metalized mix. They have alot better color stability and resist ammonia much better. The 3M film mentioned above is the one of these films. Sun-Gard offers a lifetime warranty on thier films that includes color change also. I haven`t seen many hybrid Llumar films, so I`m not sure if they have changed thier formulation over yet.