[Kaishi]

Window Tinting: it changes the look of your car while offering improved visibility on bright days.

Window Film is a retrofit upgrade that is generally installed to flat glass in existing buildings. When installed to vehicles it is referred to as Window Tinting. This is due to the fact that the large majority of automotive window films are dark coloured (tinted), whereas window films for commercial installation are typically clear. The two industries are complementary, and many installation companies offer both services.

There are many types, grades, shades, colours and thicknesses of window films available today. Window Films are a retrofit upgrade for existing glass that can be used to address a range of problems inherent to glazing, such as: Heat and Glare reduction, Thermal insulation, UV Filtration, Safety and Security, Privacy, Decoration, Graffiti protection

Window Films are an extremely cost effective method to reduce heating and cooling costs in existing buildings by reducing the amount of heat transfer through glazing.

So let's talk Tinting.
Tinting comes in the form of adhesive films which are cut to fit, then applied to the vehicles windows from the interior. Installation takes about an hour if the installer has any experience. You can do it yourself, but because the films can be expensive, it's usually best to let a professional handle it.

There are many types of tinting films, from various manufacturers. Metallic films have good longevity but block GPS and cellphone reception. Dye-layer films are cheap, but fade quickly. Ceramic tints have great longevity and don't block reception, but they're very expensive by comparison. Some tints reflect heat, while others trap it. Most tints block UV radiation, which helps protect their pigment, but isn't very helpful because modern automotive glass already blocks nearly 100% UV.

Tinting films come in various VLT values, ranging from 5% VLT (blaaaaack) up to 90% VLT (clear). Different films will come in different ranges of VLT; there isn't a standard breakdown for the progression, even from the same manufacturer.

Tinting film has a usable lifespan of somewhere between 2 and 10 years (sometimes more with extremely good films), depending on the atmospheric conditions in and around the vehicle. A decade of sun exposure will make almost anything fail, and tinting films are no exception. Most professional installation shops will provide a warranty which should cover any kind of failure within the warranty period. Get it in writing if you think you'll need to call on it.

Manufacturers include: 3M, FormulaOne, Llumar, SUN-GARD

Costs, Distributors, and Recommendations
Generic tinting films are cheap ($20-50), but you get what you pay for: they flake, fall off, or fade. Good quality films can be very expensive.

Sometimes you can find tinting kits with pre-cut films for the various windows of a specific model of car. I haven't seen a kit to that effect for the VT yet.

Paying a professional to tint your VT will run you about $150-300, depending on the quality of the tinting film and quality of service. It can be as expensive as $500 if you want top-quality film. Always check reviews for a tinting shop before giving them your money, and don't be afraid to shop around.

LEGALITY
I AM NOT A LAWYER. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. BE SMART. TINT RESPONSIBLY.

In most states, the glass on a vehicle must allow the transmission of 35% of Visible Light (VLT). Windscreens must transmit as much light as possible, so no tinting is allowed. Glass itself is not 100% VLT, sometimes it can be as low as 80% VLT. When you add tinting to your windows, the effects stack. This can make it challenging to achieve a precise VLT. Thankfully, VLT is almost never checked with a photometer, for any reason.

While colored and mirror-finish films are available, they are intended for use in a building, not in a car. In most places, it is a criminal offense to drive a vehicle on a public road with mirrored or colored tints. Don't do it; it looks tacky anyway.

DIY SECTION
Removing an old tint isn't too challenging, and can sharply reduce the labor cost of having a new tint applied. Removal can be as much as $150, so save yourself some money and remove them at home. Here's how:

I can highly recommend that a $20 handheld steamer from bed, bath & beyond worked wonders for getting the tint off with absolutely no glue leftover.

Here's a quick How-To video from the chaps at Mighty Car Mods:

If you want to try applying your own tinting film, here's a sequel guide:

Let's discuss our experiences with all things tinting. Include photos!

Links
Other threads:
http://www.velosterturbo.org/forum/veloster-appearance/2306-window-tint-choices-opinions.html
http://www.velosterturbo.org/forum/veloster-appearance/1782-window-tint-check.html

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_Tint

 

[Intervalia]

I want to tint so badly, but my provincial laws state that only rear windows may be tinted. nothing at all on the windshield, or driver/passenger fronts and where the rear windows are already a bit darker, I don't really see the point.

I know around these parts, some folks do it anyway, and it depends on the officer pulling you over whether or not you get fined...but why draw unncessary attention right?

 

[jcroscigno]

I had my 30% front windows dinged after 4 days in CA. I can highly recommend that a $20 handheld steamer from bed, bath & beyond worked wonders for getting the tint off with absolutely no glue leftover. My shop was super cool and put lighter tint on for free next time I was in the area.

 

[Cinderblock7881]

Yeah, CA state regulations say you have to have 70% or lighter. on the front at least.

 

[VeloT]

I've always tinted my windows... Feel like I'm in a fish bowl otherwise. The area I live in, the cops are kinda hit or miss about it. I've had 5% all the way around on a couple trucks and have paid a few tickets. I love the look of tint, especially on a white vehicle.

 

[|]are |]evil]

Getting my silver VT tinted on tuesday. Can't wait!!!

 

[|]are |]evil]

looks total badass

I've always tinted my windows... Feel like I'm in a fish bowl otherwise. The area I live in, the cops are kinda hit or miss about it. I've had 5% all the way around on a couple trucks and have paid a few tickets. I love the look of tint, especially on a white vehicle. View attachment 4653

 

[Cinderblock7881]

god I wish I could tint that dark lol.

 

[snail powered]

I had 5% on my Integra type r in florida. The legal tint limit is 15% but never had a cop pull me for 5%. Now i live in va its 50% up front 35% rear. I got away with 35% Here tho with my black civic. But waiting till i move back to fla to tint my VT.

 

[VeloT]

Thanks...Tint laws are crazy to me, seems to just be a ticket money generator...VA is pretty tight but I live in a rural area and push it as much as I can. Ours is 50 up front which I wouldn't get because its pretty much nothing. I really don't get why you guys in Cali can't go darker, seems like the climate would require it.

 

[Keith_Stone]

Just got hooked up yesterday with free tint from an old friend I managed to run into.. I believe they went as dark as legal laws would allow which was 25% in the fronts and 15% in the all the rest.. To say the least it's dark and looks amazing.. Easy to see out of too!

 

[Intervalia]

I gotta stop looking in this thread. It provokes my envy.

I guess the excuse is it's a safety issue.
Not being able to see out at night for one, but around these parts they say it's really because when an officer approaches a vehicle, they need to see the occupant and what they're doing so they don't get shot in the gut. I suppose that makes sense.

 

[Kaishi]

Increase the interior light intensity to compensate for the darker glass, and the officer will still be able to see you much better than completely stock. At least in my case, that's true. I went with 43% ceramic on all sides, and a 90% (crystalline) ceramic on the WS, all 3M films. I had the installation done by Will at Vega MotorSports, in Waldorf, MD. Pretty impressed with the results so far. Should be well within legal limits, yet considerably darker than stock.

Installation took a really long time, I'm guessing because he hadn't worked on a Veloster before. The asymmetrical design means we don't have any two pieces of glass the same shape or size, so there's a lot of extra time spent in cutting, trimming, etc.

Just got hooked up yesterday with free tint from an old friend I managed to run into.. I believe they went as dark as legal laws would allow which was 25% in the fronts and 15% in the all the rest.. To say the least it's dark and looks amazing.. Easy to see out of too!

That is one murdered lookin' VT. It's way beyond stormtrooper. I don't think I could go that dark even if it were legal in my state. Hot though

 

[Keith_Stone]

Increase the interior light intensity to compensate for the darker glass, and the officer will still be able to see you much better than completely stock. At least in my case, that's true. I went with 43% ceramic on all sides, and a 90% (crystalline) ceramic on the WS, all 3M films. I had the installation done by Will at Vega MotorSports, in Waldorf, MD. Pretty impressed with the results so far. Should be well within legal limits, yet considerably darker than stock.

Installation took a really long time, I'm guessing because he hadn't worked on a Veloster before. The asymmetrical design means we don't have any two pieces of glass the same shape or size, so there's a lot of extra time spent in cutting, trimming, etc.

That is one murdered lookin' VT. It's way beyond stormtrooper. I don't think I could go that dark even if it were legal in my state. Hot though

Thanks a lot man, and trust me when I say this, you would not believe how visible it is to see out even at night.. Thanks for the compliment!

 

[Kaishi]

That is all

 

[MiDiablo]

How dark has everyone tinted the rear window (where the rear windshield wiper is), and how has that impacted your visibility out of the rear view mirror through that portion of glass in day/night driving?

I have always, always, gone illegal tint. Last car (2010 Maxima) was 3% all the way around, and I paid several "tint tax" tickets. I've honestly paid 10+ tint tax tickets here in FL in my driving career. But I have blonde hair, blue eyes, and the sun here MURDERS my eyes. I usually even still have to wear sunglasses inside my cars. I do it for the safety of my eyes, or at least that's what I tell the Po-9. I do it because it looks badass. And I have to evict bishes from their homes, sometimes in the 'hood, and I don't want to be eyeballed before I make the determination on occupancy status.

I'm hesitant to tint the VT too dark, though, due to the limited sight already.

 

[|]are |]evil]

Got tinted today but I don't know wtf I got, LOL. I just told the dude darkest legal tint. I like to see so limo tint is not for me. I only got the sides done, rear and roof are clear.

 

[velociraptor]

mine is 30% ceramic. daylight pics from the outside and one on the inside comparing passenger window and windshield are in my gallery. i'd add the links but i am doing this from my phone.

 

[VeloT]

MiDiablo-I have 5% on the back and I see fine in the daylight. Of course at night it's like what you're already used to... Kinda hard to see when its dark. No problem with the side view at all. I've always gone illegal too... love the look and the privacy for all kinds of reasons haha

BTW to keep with the original post mine was $140 installed at a shop using Llumar film.

 

[Simone]

20 percent on all but front windscreen. Been stopped for speeding twice. I immediately lowered my front windows and opened the sunscreen on the roof and the officer didn't say a word. Looks tough, though.