Tint!!!

Okay, today is the day I start doing modifications...

Tint is first on the list. For $70 my neighbor (who tints cars for the local Toyota dealership) is going to tint my truck 30% in the fron and an 8" strip on the windshield. I am going to put something on the access door windows, but I don't know what yet.

Before and after pictures - oh yeah!

PICTURES COMING SOON!

So, is your truck tinted???

DRLs with a switch for disabling are next. Parts have been ordered.

 

man thats a deal i wish i lived near you i went yester day to get some prices on how much it would cost to do the same thing the front two windows and the strip across the top and they told me 110

 

i just blended my "Diva" the original 15% in the rear windows and 15% in the front ofcourse the 8" 15% in the windshield. but i paid $60 for it.

 

Ok, so here is what my truck looks like with the stock tint...



...and this is what it looks like now, after a 30% on the windows and a 6" strip of 20% on the windshield...



The first picture was taken at 9:30 this morning, and the second was taken at 11:30. It only took the guy 45 minutes to do it, and he did an incredible job. It actually took me longer to drive there and back than it took him to do the job! I gave him an extra $30 which makes it almost as expensive as going to a shop, but, eh, it's Easter Sunday! Anyway, anyone in Houston that needs a tint job, I know who to call!!!

 

Looks great and now you have me interested in it, what's the actual process consist of? Never seen it done. Also, anyone know where you can find a state list of % of legal tints? I know in Maine has a law about too much tint.

 

Well, first he cleaned the glass really well on both sides. Then he places the tint on the outside to cut it to the correct size and shape.

Then he removed the door panels on the inside and so that he could get the tint below the inner molding.

The tint itself basically consists of a film that is applied to the window with an adhesive on one side. He sprayed the window (and the adhesive side of the film) with a mixture of water and dish soap. This makes it easy to work with. Then he applys the tint to the glass positioning it exactly where he needs it to be. Then, with a squeege, he scraped the water/soap mix out from underneath the film. This allows the adhesive to stick to the glass.

He had a heat gun which he used to heat the edges to ensure that they would stay. Now, I just need to leave my windows alone for the next 2-3 days and let the sun bake the rest of it on (during this process the tint becomes hazy for several hours - that goes away).

He did a top notch job, and he warranties his work. (mark = happy camper)


Your local DPS/DMV should have a reference of which tints are legal. I would check their website.

 

Here you go>>> Maine Tint Laws.


Everyone else can find theirs here.

Cheers!!!

 

Hey you the man Mark, thanks!

 

No problem.

 

Excellent post Mark. Like the links. I was planning to have the front windows tinted also. Does it really keep the vehicle cooler?

 

As far as looks, absolutely!!

 

Yes - definitely. I have had a 01 Accord, 92 Saturn, 89 Accord, 82 Caddy, 93 Subaru, and a 98 Jetta - all of which had no tint when I got them. I had all of these vehicles while I lived in either Colorado or New Mexico (read: lots of sun). After tinting each vehicle, there has been a very noticible difference in inside temperatures. Plus, there is much less strain on your eyes when driving during the day.

...and TacoMan is right - it looks cool too.

 

Looks good, tinting the front windows will be the first thing i do with my truck

 

...next for me: DRLs with a switch so that I can disable them.

Then: Foglights!

 

Looks great Mark. I'm hoping to do mine soon, wish that was your neighbor in S.A. though, Houston is a little too far to save a couple bucks.

Oh yeah and according to that link your only supposed to have 25% in TX, tsk tsk.

 

Ooops!!!

 

Well, 30% is actually lighter than 25%... See, the rating is the amount of light that it allows to pass through it. A 50% is actually pretty light. Anything below 15% is considered "Limo Tint", and is not legal in most states.

I hope this clears up any confusion... (- says Confusious)

 

Ummm...yeah well...I guess I'll let you off with a warnin then. Come let's go keep it movin...

 

Rear tint is Stock from factory + limo tint over it. Fronts are on 35% tint

 

Thanks, I don't get many warnings these days!

That thing looks sweet! Nice Rims. How much did your tint job cost you?