Window tint

[TRBON8R]

I'm wanting to get my windows tinted. Basically I have two questions:

1: What is the best and longest lasting brand of tinting material out there?

2: I'm concerned that if the tinting ever has to be removed from the rear window that it will stick to the rear window defroster elements and cause them to come off thus ruining the window? Is this a problem?

 

[John Larkin]

The back window is a problem. It will bubble, period. It won't pull the defrost grid off but if ever removed, the glue removal process most likely will. As you can see, I don't like tint. Never saw a long lasting job ever.

 

[.38 special]

I removed mine a couple months ago. Didn't have any problem. No bubbles either. Use a heat gun on the outside to remove it, worked for me.

 

[87gninpa]

i jsut took my horrible purple tint off from the previous owner and used glass cleaner and a sharp razor blade and it cam right off without ruining the defroster at all.
HTH

 

[8UWITH6]

Ive had tint on my ttype for over 2 yrs now. It hasnt faded, or bubbled. The only defects in it is a few tiny marks where my dumbass knicked the inside of the window with my ring or some other object. Doh!

 

[Brian Schauder]

There are several brands of tint out there

There are:
Solargard NR Charcoal
Solargard NR Grey
Solargard HP Charcoal
Solargard HP Titanium
Solargard HP True Grey
Solargard HP Quantum

Sunguard Desert Smoke Series
Sunguard Endurance Series
Sunguard Performx Slate

LLumar AT Series
LLumar ATR Series
LLumar Centaur Series
LLumar Platnum Plus Series

3M Panther Series
3M Color Stable

Now this in in no way all the choices this is just a lsit of some of the more popular ones.Window tint is just "window tint" to a certain degree.If you put say perhaps the LLumar AT Series on yes it is going to be purple in a couple of years depending on it's sun exposure.If you say put Solargard's Quantum or LLumar's Platinum Plus on it will never turn purple.Does all film bubble?The answer is no.Does all film eventually go bad?Yes.There is no such thing as a window film that gets put on a car and can with stand the sun over the test time.The paint on your house dosen't,the shingles on your roof don't,the paint on your car dosen't,and neither does window film.Are there better films that last longer?Definitely.Realistically if you choose a "good" window film and it is installed properly it will last 8-12 years depending on sun exposure.As far ar removal of the window film it is "no problem" if you know what you are doing,and in no way will ruin the defroster.I find it absolutely hilarious that window film has so many "old wives" tales that follow it around.From removal procedures,to the product,installation,and care afterwards.I think it is one of the most often opinionated topics by people with absolutely no education.It's like asking the ice cream man "why does my car run rough?,and he tells ya "I think it could be your fuel injectors are clogged."

Now to try and answer your question all the films above have a slightly different "appearence" to them.The choice is yours as far as that goes,but I would do a little bit of research on window film. Then decide what's best for your needs.Educate yourself ,and you will make a good decision.

 

[NEWCHAPTER]

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER... USE A SMOKE GRAY COLOR NOT BLACK IT WILL LOOK PURPLE AND ALSO WATCH WHICH TYPE OF WINDOW CLEANER ... THAT WILL MAKE IT TURN PURPLE... I BELIEVE ANYTHING WITH AMMONIA LIKE WINDEX...

 

[d0n_3d]

i had a local guy tint my windows 2 years ago...there isn't a single bubble or defect anywhere to date...as long as you get someone GOOD to tint your windows you will be fine...

 

[gofstbuick]

I have some small bubbles in the lower corner of the tint on the back window. Installer indicated there may have been some dirt on that part of the glass. But it's only noticible to me (and just barely). He offered to re-tint the back glass, but I've just decided it doesn't really bother me that much. As for glass cleaner, I use Zep non ammonia glass cleaner and my tint still stays very dark.

 

[Slow91z]

I use Eagle One Auto Glass cleaner...says right on the label safe for tinted windows.

 

[Adrian87]

Solarguard HP Charcoal

I have the HP Charcoal on my GN..15% on the sides and back and 20% on the windshield.....looks completely WICKED...Anyone ever seen a completely blacked out GN with all blacked out windows?

 

[Brian Schauder]

Originally posted by NEWCHAPTER
ALSO WATCH WHICH TYPE OF WINDOW CLEANER ... THAT WILL MAKE IT TURN PURPLE... I BELIEVE ANYTHING WITH AMMONIA LIKE WINDEX...

Point and case exactly.Window cleaner with ammonia WILL NOT make your window film turn purple.That is completley untrue.It can however take the scratch resistent hard coat off of some films,but not all.Most films are safe for the use of ammonia based products.