Automobile window tinting has come a long way from the days in which it would bubble and turn purple over time. My question is can you get windows tinted on a four year old car and expect to have the same results as if the tinting was applied when the car was new? Thanks.
Auto Window Tinting?
- Thread starter SaturnFan
- Start date
Absolutely.... How old your car is doesn't change the colour of the film they put on you windows. AS LONG AS the interior of the windows you want tinted aren't damaged (scratched) in any way the tint should look the same as if it were put on a new car. You mentioned the tint bubbling and turning purple over time, the bubbling is from poor installation techniques and the tint turning purple is from inferior quality (cheap) tint film being used. Most reputable installers will offer some sort of guarantee to protect you from a cheap job.
When I had my black '80 Z28 done I went to Tint King (don't know if they're still around) and they did a fantastic job for me, no bubbling or turning colour in the years after I had the work done. I was so impressed with the guys there I had them put in a sunroof for me as well.
Make sure that you go to a reputable installer (Apple Auto Glass?) and discuss your concerns with them BEFORE you have the work done. It might help to read heir guarantee before the work is done as well.
When I had my black '80 Z28 done I went to Tint King (don't know if they're still around) and they did a fantastic job for me, no bubbling or turning colour in the years after I had the work done. I was so impressed with the guys there I had them put in a sunroof for me as well.
Make sure that you go to a reputable installer (Apple Auto Glass?) and discuss your concerns with them BEFORE you have the work done. It might help to read heir guarantee before the work is done as well.
It's all in the installation and the materials.
Keep in mind that the darker the tint, the more difficult it is to see out at night, particularly when backing up. On the other side of the coin, I found that generally the interior of the vehicle was cooler than if there was no-tint.
The installer should know local rules and regulations regarding how dark the tint can be. Generally speaking there are four levels of tint. Usually the front driver/passenger window cannot be darker than Level 1, while the rear windows can be Level 3. I don't believe that Level 4 is legal in Canada in any jurisdiction except for use in livery (limo) vehicles where the driver's window is not tinted.
I had my car tinted in Ajax and they did an excellent job. Do your homework, ask to see pictures of recently completed work and phone numbers for clients to confirm - a reputable place will be happy to showcase their work.
Keep in mind that the darker the tint, the more difficult it is to see out at night, particularly when backing up. On the other side of the coin, I found that generally the interior of the vehicle was cooler than if there was no-tint.
The installer should know local rules and regulations regarding how dark the tint can be. Generally speaking there are four levels of tint. Usually the front driver/passenger window cannot be darker than Level 1, while the rear windows can be Level 3. I don't believe that Level 4 is legal in Canada in any jurisdiction except for use in livery (limo) vehicles where the driver's window is not tinted.
I had my car tinted in Ajax and they did an excellent job. Do your homework, ask to see pictures of recently completed work and phone numbers for clients to confirm - a reputable place will be happy to showcase their work.
If I remember right the Tint King location that I had my work done at was somewhere in North York. That was the original "head office" of the company before they started selling franchises and Al (the now owner of the whole shebang) was the sales rep that sold me the work. Tint King used to do a lot of custom car shows like Speedorama, Motion, etc. I hear they're still around. Take a look for them online for their current locations.
As far as how dark the tint can be on certain windows they should be able to tell you what the laws are. I had "double privacy" on the rear window of my Zd and single privacy on the side windows. Got pulled over by a cop up north who was going to make me remove the tint off the side windows right then and there by any means necessary.... Until that is he found out that I was staying with an uncle of mine who was also his drinking buddy at the local legion.
"It's all in who you know!!!"
As far as how dark the tint can be on certain windows they should be able to tell you what the laws are. I had "double privacy" on the rear window of my Zd and single privacy on the side windows. Got pulled over by a cop up north who was going to make me remove the tint off the side windows right then and there by any means necessary.... Until that is he found out that I was staying with an uncle of mine who was also his drinking buddy at the local legion.
"It's all in who you know!!!"
from the HTA:
73. (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway,
(a) with any sign, poster or other non-transparent material or object placed on the windshield or on any window of such motor vehicle; or
(b) with any object placed in, hung on or attached to the motor vehicle,
in a manner that will obstruct the driver’s view of the highway or any intersecting highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (1).
Colour coating obstructing view prohibited
(2) No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway where the surface of the windshield or of any window of the vehicle has been coated with any colour spray or other colour coating in such a manner as to obstruct the driver’s view of the highway or any intersecting highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (2).
Colour coating obscuring interior
(3) No person shall drive on a highway a motor vehicle on which the surface of the windshield or of any window to the direct left or right of the driver’s seat has been coated with any coloured spray or other coloured or reflective material that substantially obscures the interior of the motor vehicle when viewed from outside the motor vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (3).
Nice and vague eh?
73. (1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway,
(a) with any sign, poster or other non-transparent material or object placed on the windshield or on any window of such motor vehicle; or
(b) with any object placed in, hung on or attached to the motor vehicle,
in a manner that will obstruct the driver’s view of the highway or any intersecting highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (1).
Colour coating obstructing view prohibited
(2) No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway where the surface of the windshield or of any window of the vehicle has been coated with any colour spray or other colour coating in such a manner as to obstruct the driver’s view of the highway or any intersecting highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (2).
Colour coating obscuring interior
(3) No person shall drive on a highway a motor vehicle on which the surface of the windshield or of any window to the direct left or right of the driver’s seat has been coated with any coloured spray or other coloured or reflective material that substantially obscures the interior of the motor vehicle when viewed from outside the motor vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (3).
Nice and vague eh?
the cheap stuff turns purple because the organic dye degrades with the sunlight over the years. the bubbling is because of poor workmanship or materials.
the metallic and ceramic tints do not degrade over time and are much better imho, but they are more $$$. the metallic tints mess up with your AM radio if you have a crappy am/fm radio in the car with hidden antennae. both the premium tints keep the car cooler.
go to audio heaven in richmond hill. the metallic tint will cost ~250+ depending on # of windows. ceramic tints are not as common and a little more $ than metallic.
the metallic and ceramic tints do not degrade over time and are much better imho, but they are more $$$. the metallic tints mess up with your AM radio if you have a crappy am/fm radio in the car with hidden antennae. both the premium tints keep the car cooler.
go to audio heaven in richmond hill. the metallic tint will cost ~250+ depending on # of windows. ceramic tints are not as common and a little more $ than metallic.
I know this is an old thread, but I was looking to get my new car tinted recently and found this discussion, so I thought I'd add my 2 cents....
I ended up going to a place called Tint Guys up in the Vaughan area, and they did a great job! Apparently they have cheaper tints, but I paid $225 for a dealer quality tint film.
One thing to be careful about is certain metallic films can block signals such as cell phone and gps so make sure you discuss this with the tint shop first.
I ended up going to a place called Tint Guys up in the Vaughan area, and they did a great job! Apparently they have cheaper tints, but I paid $225 for a dealer quality tint film.
One thing to be careful about is certain metallic films can block signals such as cell phone and gps so make sure you discuss this with the tint shop first.
