Dan in Pasadena

I am heading off to Lake Mojave this weekend (read, "HOT!) and now is as good a time as any to get my windows tinted...I've been putting it off.

My plan is to use one level lighter than Limo tint on the hatch and then go at least one level lighter than that on the side windows.

I really don't like how little you can see out of the back of a tinted hatch but I feel like I have no other choice. Suggestions?

Sloth

My suggestion would be to make sure you go to a reputable installer. In my area installers come and go pretty frequently, however, there is one I have been using for over 10 years now. Check your local laws for tint restrictions.

Limo tint may be a bit dark, you do not relize how dark it is till you are on the inside trying to see out. My tint is a shade darker than legal (24%?) and two shades darker in the back. It is plenty.

My tint film was made by Llumar.

UDPride

I concur with Sloth. I have 35% on all my cars and it's quite dark at night trying to see out and observe neighboring traffic. I wouldnt feel safe driving at night with anything darker. 50% is legal in Ohio but 35% is dark but not ghetto. 20% is what you find on the backs of most SUVs I think. I had 50% on an older car honestly it didnt even seem like anything was tinted.

Casper

I went 20% all around. I got the silver gray from Pepboys and did it myself. I would not suggest doing it yourself unless you have some experience doing it on other cars before. The sides and rear windows are pretty easy (even easier with the door panels off).

If you feel adventurous, and decides to do the rear hatch yourself, I suggest using 4" strips and alot of patients.

I have no idea how anyone can tint that thing with one piece and a heat gun and expect the tint to last.

Casper

'87 944s

Dan in Pasadena

The shop I will use can do the hatch in one piece -so they say. I am using one level BELOW Limo tint - what percent is Limo? 50%?

Then the side will be one or even two levels below the rear. I wouldn't think of doing this myself...I'd drive myself crazy and it would look like crap because I'd never be happy with it.

icat

My first Porsche ('83 944) had an awful tint job on the hatch. It took me months of work to get it all off (or as best I could anyway). I recall wondering if the defrost wires in the glass caused the failure of the tint. Because of this I decided not to do my glass on the 951.

UDPride

50% is usually the lightest tint. Allowing 50% of the light through. I think Limo is 10%. SUVs and minivans have 20% I think. Ziebart had to do my rear hatch in a couple pieces. Cant really tell unless you look at it at an angle. They said 944 hatches were difficult or something, yet the tinter indicated hatches like Cameros and Vettes were easy. I myself cant see the added difficulty.

mideastmafia

UDPRIDE,

the convex of the mirror makes it hard for the tint to stick. for this, they have to use a heat gun to make the tint mold to the shape. usuing a heat gun excessively makes the tint stretch and eventually will either fade or tear. also, they will usually get alot of creases trying to mold to the 944 shape.


SHAUN

Peckster

Do tints reduce thermal gain inside the car? Being black, it seems weird that they would.

mideastmafia

most tints have UV protection that save the finish of the interior and at the same time, they block out extra heat. rather than shine on the car, they hit the tint and reflect off.

SHAUN

Casper

Here in Texas, they sell limo at 5%(it only let 5% of the light in just in case ya'll don't know already). They also have limo at 20%. Legal driver and passenger side windows at 35%.

@ 50%, I don't really see the reason for tenting. I think most cars that have tempered glass is already at 50%.

I've done a Honda Accord rear window with one piece and a heat gun. It lasted about 1 1/2 before the edges started to bubble and peel away.

I've also done the same window on a different car with strips and it is still looks like it did the day I put it on 5 years ago.

I think if you are able to do one piece, it looks nice (no lines), but don't expect it to last. If you want it to last, I'd recommend using strips.

Capser
'87 944S

PorscheG96

35% front and 20% rear.



Limo is 3-5%...it looks like the window is painted black, very tacky.

marky522

maybe someone can help me,i dont know how dark i want mine yet, the effect i'd like to have is i dont want some one to be able to look in, now i'm not saying limo all the way around( can anyone say TICKET) but i like the way the newer cars look how you cant see inside unless you put your face right up to it..

Mark

BRB_85.5_NA

Excuse my French PorscheG96 but your 968 looks f!ckin' sweet.

B

PorscheG96

[quote]Originally posted by BRB944:
<strong>Excuse my French PorscheG96 but your 968 looks f!ckin' sweet.

B </strong><hr></blockquote>
Thanks, I really appreciate the comment! People just keep saying that the car needs bigger wheels and to be lowered, lol.

Marky, if you tint 20% all around you'll get the effect you're looking for, but it's a bit dark. 35% allows people to see into the car and make out your appearance but it's pretty tasteful...not too dark. Here's another pic showing how much you can see through the 20% [rear] Vs. the 35% [front]...