Window Tint Ticket

[blackmonte]

I took all my tint off and also used straight ammoina as well and took it all off no problems at all.But thinking about maybe a light tint all around?jazjams who did your windows? Mine were getting that purple look , I had Midwest do a few of mine before .

 

[INEEDAGN]

If you start with a new razor blade, and surface one side by dragging it backwards on a smooth piece of wood, it shouldn't hurt the glass as long as you hold it reasonably flat. Glass cleaner and a couple towels, and some patience. Rear defrosters are the worst.

Now, those f'ed up old blades they use to change the numbers on some auction cars can do some horrendous damage.

 

[jpwalt1987]

Never had a problem with razor blades. You just have to be smart about it. Dont use the razors you have been scraping gaskets with . Use a new one and keep it all lubed up with the soapy water. I have done about 5-6 cars like this and no scrathed glass.:biggrin:

 

[blackmonte]

Or you can have the tint shop take the tint off, The biggest problem the tint gave me was around the rear defroster being very carefull not to damage any Elements.

 

[SS_Sean]

Those damn, evil COPS! :biggrin: If you don't like the law then change it. Last time I checked this is a representative democracy, and the people you elected are the ones who brought those laws into existence, not the cops.

 

[DJ Red Barron]

While I somewhat understand the "officer safety" theory, IMO it's just an excuse, or PC, to pull someone over. I developed this opinion based on the fact that MANY friends of mine in LE have told me they don't really care about tint, they simply use it as PC, if at all. Every cop I know or have ever known has had limo all the way around their personal vehicles. They don't worry about it because with the flash of a badge, they aren't getting a ticket for it. And personally, I have no problem with a cop having dark tint. But I also don't have a problem with a civilian having dark tint as well.

If the "but a cop might get shot from behind the dark tint" argument is going to be used, the fact is, a person of the mindset to shoot a police officer will do so with or without the benefit of tinted windows.

But, what can ya do... It's "the law" and unless you find a way around it such as a tint script or the like, there's not much you can do except maybe hope you live in an area where the police concentrate on far worse offenses.

 

[GNBRETT]

While I somewhat understand the "officer safety" theory, IMO it's just an excuse, or PC, to pull someone over. I developed this opinion based on the fact that MANY friends of mine in LE have told me they don't really care about tint, they simply use it as PC, if at all. Every cop I know or have ever known has had limo all the way around their personal vehicles. They don't worry about it because with the flash of a badge, they aren't getting a ticket for it. And personally, I have no problem with a cop having dark tint. But I also don't have a problem with a civilian having dark tint as well.

If the "but a cop might get shot from behind the dark tint" argument is going to be used, the fact is, a person of the mindset to shoot a police officer will do so with or without the benefit of tinted windows.

But, what can ya do... It's "the law" and unless you find a way around it such as a tint script or the like, there's not much you can do except maybe hope you live in an area where the police concentrate on far worse offenses.

Enforcing the window tint law here in Connecticut is like sholveling sh#t againt the tide. If the law read "NO TINT PERIOD" that would be easy but when it comes down to light percentage and what is legal and what is not becomes a grey area especially when the tint shops give the customer a print out that says "Legal tint". When in fact it is usually not even close to legal. It is hard to punish the customer because the tint shop whats to earn the customers business but yet wants to please the customer with a so called legal tint.

Having tinted windows can benifit the civilian as well as the Police Officer. With a civilian the would be car jacker has a more difficult time seeing a potential victim when he cannot see inside the vehicle. It is quite rare tho that a car jacking does takes place.

A police officer benifits from it off duty really only when he/she has their uniform on while in their personal car. I will admit that I am lazy and dont always take it off to and from work so it does have an advantage for an officer.

The biggest disadvantage of course is when the Officer is looking for a suspect matching a particular description and cannot see inside the car at night especially when the interior is dark or when he stops a car and cannot see how many occupants are in the vehicle. It can become a hazard to the officer. I just order the driver to roll down all the windows before approaching the vehicle.

I will admit some time ago I approached a vehicle with blacked out windows and the driver cracked the window a few inches and pointed a gun at me which led to a vehicle pursuit so from my own personal experience it can be a real concern for an officer because I could not see anything but the tip of a large caliber gun. Of course after that incident I never approach the drivers side and make everyone roll down their windows now.

Their are valid arguments to be made on both sides. It just depends which side your on and how if affects you personally. Overall it makes the job of a Police Officer more difficult and dangerous. There is no debating that.

Using it as PC to stop a car is something many officers do but to be honest with you if an officer wants to stop you he doesent need the tinted windows to do it. Every time you and I get in our personal vehicles we violate some motor vehicle law. Whether its driving 26 mph in a 25 mph zone or not signaling 100 feet before turning or not following a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of etc....etc... The fact that an officer stops someone due to tinted windows is just one way to justify a stop. It certainly is not the most utilized way.

 

[WeAreVenom]

I just order the driver to roll down all the windows before approaching the vehicle.

This should be standard operating procedure for all PDs. Thank you for sharing your side of the topic.

 

[DJ Red Barron]

Enforcing the window tint law here in Connecticut is like sholveling sh#t againt the tide. If the law read "NO TINT PERIOD" that would be easy but when it comes down to light percentage and what is legal and what is not becomes a grey area especially when the tint shops give the customer a print out that says "Legal tint". When in fact it is usually not even close to legal. It is hard to punish the customer because the tint shop whats to earn the customers business but yet wants to please the customer with a so called legal tint.

Having tinted windows can benifit the civilian as well as the Police Officer. With a civilian the would be car jacker has a more difficult time seeing a potential victim when he cannot see inside the vehicle. It is quite rare tho that a car jacking does takes place.

A police officer benifits from it off duty really only when he/she has their uniform on while in their personal car. I will admit that I am lazy and dont always take it off to and from work so it does have an advantage for an officer.

The biggest disadvantage of course is when the Officer is looking for a suspect matching a particular description and cannot see inside the car at night especially when the interior is dark or when he stops a car and cannot see how many occupants are in the vehicle. It can become a hazard to the officer. I just order the driver to roll down all the windows before approaching the vehicle.

I will admit some time ago I approached a vehicle with blacked out windows and the driver cracked the window a few inches and pointed a gun at me which led to a vehicle pursuit so from my own personal experience it can be a real concern for an officer because I could not see anything but the tip of a large caliber gun. Of course after that incident I never approach the drivers side and make everyone roll down their windows now.

Their are valid arguments to be made on both sides. It just depends which side your on and how if affects you personally. Overall it makes the job of a Police Officer more difficult and dangerous. There is no debating that.

Using it as PC to stop a car is something many officers do but to be honest with you if an officer wants to stop you he doesent need the tinted windows to do it. Every time you and I get in our personal vehicles we violate some motor vehicle law. Whether its driving 26 mph in a 25 mph zone or not signaling 100 feet before turning or not following a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of etc....etc... The fact that an officer stops someone due to tinted windows is just one way to justify a stop. It certainly is not the most utilized way.

Excellent post. And to be truthful, I don't disagree with anything you posted.

 

[TurboDave]

Pretty easy. Just go with the legal 35% (legal in "most" states) on sides, something darker on the rear window if you like.

And whatever you do Don't be stupid enough to get the entire front windshield tinted!! Not only is it illegal in most states, it's downright unsafe. Too much distortion caused by the tint. Look out through your back window at night at the headlights behind you if you doubt it.
The only legal windshield tinting is a band at the top. No insurance company I'm aware of will pay a claim on any type of accident if full windshield tint is found to be involved.

 

[BuckeyeTroop]

The problem is with the % of tint argument. In Ohio its easy. 50% is legal, so whether the argument is 50% film on the window or 50% light passing thru the meter doesn't matter because its the same number. The problem comes with the installers. They are telling the customer or the box that the customer is buying says 35% tint, so the customer thinks its legal. The problem is that the 35% number is the amount of light passing through which means it is actually 65% tint. Another problem is that even if you legitimately try and obey the law by only putting 35% tint on your windows most newer cars from the factory now have between 30-35% tint already built into the windows which now puts you at approx 70%.

And to all the comments about police should focus on more important crimes, you would be amazed what can be uncovered after stopping a car for a so called minor equipment violation. Anyone in LE can tell stories of murder suspects, drug and weapon couriers, etc all arrested after a minor "routine" traffic stop. How do you think criminals get from place to place.

 

[88ZNX]

$275 in Brandon MS. Trust me.

 

[SilverSleeper]

I'll agree, tint has its pros and cons.
I am one of the few who probably needs it because my eyes are extremely light sensitive. I am always wearing a baseball cap, and my glasses shade automatically in the light. But often thats not enough.
I haven't even bothered with the eye doctor and the sticker deal. I figure even with a sticker, you're just a probable cause target.
My Cruiser has really dark factory tint on it. Both rear doors and the hatch are very dark. How is that legal? Just like my previous car, a 96 Astro, both rear side windows and the hatch were factory blackened.
Wouldn't it stand to reason the most important window to NOT be tinted would be the rear facing one? Last I checked most people were pulled over with the cops patrol car at the rear. Then order the driver to roll down the side window.

One other benefit of having tint, is to hide things when you are parked. If a would be thief can't see inside your car, he is less likely to steal something. Say you have a laptop in a case in the backseat. If thats easy to see, the probability of your car getting broken into is much higher. If you have a bunch of gauges in the car, they may decide its been built up and worth stealing.
My Regal has 35% on the front windows, and the rear side windows. Nothing on the rearmost window over the defroster. Doesn't that make more sense? If an officer is approaching your car, he can see if you are readying yourself through the rear window, to an extent.
The problem, is that my tint looks darker just because its on a silver car. My friends mom got a ticket for tint on her car, which was a similar silver shade with legal tint. They don't have light meters here, just a guess. "It looks dark. Heres your ticket."

 

[bison]

Just go my second window tint violation in my GS. Eighty five bucks. Sometimes I think the state troopers here have nothing better to do than enforce, what I consider, minor violations. I think they should spend there time taking care of more important issues. I understand that they think it is a security risk to them in that they cannot see what I am doing behind that tint but I always lower my window before the trooper can even get out of their car. My back windows are just as dark and legal, someone could just as easily be back there with a weapon.

Anyways I am thinking about removing the tint but I love the look. How many tickets at $85 would you take before removing the tint?

In some states you would have to go through safety inspection for a violation like that. Id just remove the tint myself. The dark tint in your back window is reason enough to pull you over even though its legal to have it blacked out in most states.

 

[bison]

The problem is with the % of tint argument. In Ohio its easy. 50% is legal, so whether the argument is 50% film on the window or 50% light passing thru the meter doesn't matter because its the same number. The problem comes with the installers. They are telling the customer or the box that the customer is buying says 35% tint, so the customer thinks its legal. The problem is that the 35% number is the amount of light passing through which means it is actually 65% tint. Another problem is that even if you legitimately try and obey the law by only putting 35% tint on your windows most newer cars from the factory now have between 30-35% tint already built into the windows which now puts you at approx 70%.

And to all the comments about police should focus on more important crimes, you would be amazed what can be uncovered after stopping a car for a so called minor equipment violation. Anyone in LE can tell stories of murder suspects, drug and weapon couriers, etc all arrested after a minor "routine" traffic stop. How do you think criminals get from place to place.

Imo these situations are unfortunate but are too bad for the owner. Since the operator is ultimately responsible for all aspects of the vehicle while driving it on a public road or highway. Its too bad for them if they are not within the legal limit for tint. I wouldnt expect any prosecutor to do anything unless in favor of the owner unless the installing shop signed a letter stating the tint was tested after installation and was legal. Then you would probably have to try to get the shop to pay or tke them to small claims and try and get them to pay. Not worth it for most though. i totally agree with the statement you made about the police pulling over people for equipment violation. I want them pulling as many people over as possible. Im paying their salary anyway. Thats how a lot of criminals are caught. The police stumble on them for something minor like a light out.

 

[88 CuttyClassic]

Sometimes I think the state troopers here have nothing better to do than enforce, what I consider, minor violations. I think they should spend there time taking care of more important issues. ?

well seems to me like they are doin their job. I hate when people say "dont they have anything better to do" Its not the state troopers job to be out solving murders and busting drug rings...but sometimes that does happen because of pulling over people with illegal tint... QUIT cryin and pay up or rip it off. If you know its illegal and you get pulled over..how could you ever complain just because its not a felony. I got my windows tinted and i know i'm asking to get pulled over and i dont complain if i do.

 

[GNBRETT]

In some states you would have to go through safety inspection for a violation like that. Id just remove the tint myself. The dark tint in your back window is reason enough to pull you over even though its legal to have it blacked out in most states.

A blacked out rear window is not illegal in CT as long as you have a passenger side mirror. Trucks with cabs can't see out their rear window so Connecticut law allows the rear window to be as dark as anyone wants it to be as long as you have the passenger side mirror to see when switching lanes.

The law is really designed to prevent accidents when changing lanes vs. officer safety. It's Connecticut, would you expect anything less? It's the most liberal state in the nation..... The motor vehicle fines are quite steep tho compared to most other states which always suprised me considering how liberal we are. I think there would actually be more enforcement of speeding and stop sign/red light violators if the fines were a little less actually. People are more concerned with their insurance going up vs. the fine itself.

I think some officers have a problem citing someone in CT for $114.00 for rolling thru a stop sign on their way to work. I not defending the violators by any means im just saying I know many guys that have a hard time whacking someone with a fine like that when that is like two days of take home pay for many in the urban environment.

The speed one travels on the highway does not generally result in more accidents just the severity of impact which of course can cause more bodily injury. But statistically if the speed limit was raised to say 75 or 80 vs. 55 or 65 the rate of accidents would hardly increase.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Brett, while we are on the subject of fines, what would 126 in a 65 be worth? My windows aren't tinted though.:biggrin: Took off years ago because I don't like the driving with sunglasses on at night effect.:smile:

 

[salvageV6]

The idiot police in CT don't even have to pull you over to make you take a day off from work and have your tint inspected.

Got my inspection notice in the mail with 2 weeks to have it inspected.

I was the first car to use the light meter in Hamden at the MVD inspection station, the guy didn't even know how to work the thing.

We got the directions figured out and of course all my windows were legal.

Guy gave up after testing the two front ones. :biggrin:

Got the little yellow tags to prove it.

Gonna copy a set on plastic 1/2" tape for the GN.

Oh yeah did I mention the idiot Hamden police yet?

If you're gonna worry about a "safety violation" at least pull someone over and really look at the car and perhaps talk to the owner about their legal tint first.

 

[BuckeyeTroop]

Food for thought.............I have never tested a window that obviously had some amount of aftermarket tint installed that passed Ohio's 50% limit. I even did a demonstration for a judge on a car that looked like it had a "legal" amount of tint installed. It was still 65% (or 35% light passing thru) For the most part I leave the borderline ones alone even though I know chances are they aren't gonna pass. There are more than enough cars around with 80% tint and up.