Tint ticket FTL :'(

[Tekk]

So today on my ride home I received my first ever window tint violation from the CHP. [headbang] Despite having medium tinted windows on the front driver/passenger windows on all my cars for the last 13 years of driving, NOW I get pulled over. He did mark it as a fix-it ticket but Im debating on what I should do. Should I get it taken off and just deal with not having tint on the front? This is the least expensive method I believe. Or maybe just move to a lighter tint in the front (right now its 'medium'...not sure of the exact %) and risk future tickets? Or just pay the infraction outright (although I have no idea how much this is)?

I figured some folks on here might have experienced this recently so I wanted to see what ya'll did. And any insight into the actual infraction cost to just pay the ticket would be awesome (it happened it Laguna Hills if that matters)

[RAudi Driver]

Take it off, then reapply Air 80 or the new 3M Crystalline.

[S4 00 2.7]

Take it off, then reapply Air 80 or the new 3M Crystalline.

This.

What I did one time was remove tint, wait a couple months and got it tinted again same shade.

[Rhino85]

Take it off, then reapply Air 80 or the new 3M Crystalline.

I'm hearing this is the way to go. Your preference ultimately. I'm going to look into this when money and time is right.

[Older_not_Wiser]

Yup, did that too. Scraped and cleaned it off the front windows, took it in to the local police station to get it signed off, then had it re-tinted a week later for like $60

IIRC the actual fix it ticket did not cost anything. I just had to show that the voilation was corrected before a certain date in order to avoid a fine.

[skiracerblah]

I thought fix it tickets for tint was like $25

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Air80 and done.

[S4 00 2.7]

Air80 and done.

Can you pm me a quote to do my front windshield (00 S4)? What about the rumors that they distort view when driving at night? Does it make windshield look blue?

[krew53]

I thought fix it tickets for tint was like $25

Its $25 if you FIX the violation.. That is the processing fee.

[RAudi Driver]

Can you pm me a quote to do my front windshield (00 S4)? What about the rumors that they distort view when driving at night? Does it make windshield look blue?

I just had Air 80 applied to my entire car, windshield included and no distortion that I can tell.

[S4 00 2.7]

I just had Air 80 applied to my entire car, windshield included and no distortion that I can tell.

Noticeable blue hue on the film? Thanks.

[xamp]

scaring me now... I have 20% all around ....

[Quattro]

if you haven't had a ticket in the last 13 years, that's a great thing! I've always ran tint on my car and out of the 6 years I've had tint :: knock on wood :: have only been pulled over once. I recently lowered my tint to 40% ceramic all around and it's light, but "dark" at night. It's a good compromise with what I had before and I suspect I will not have an issue with this.

You can go lighter in the front or go with Air 80. I recently tinted my moms car with Air 80 and it has made a huge difference with UV protection despite being very transparent. I couldn't rock the fishbowl look, but you will have the UV protection you need without EVER needing to worry about the police.

-Randy

[Tekk]

Well the total bail according to the court website is $198. Im trying to price out how much its going to cost me to take off the tint and replace it with Air80 because I definitely do not want to go without the UV protection / heat blocking. I'll just be sad that the uniform tint will be gone and the nice stealth look will be slightly degraded :(

In any case, anyone know if VZWAlex is still lurking around? I worked with him last time to get my tint done (by his business partner I believe) but according to the AZ profile he hasn't been active since about March. I hope I still have my receipt stored away somewhere because the only other place I communicated with him was via AZ PMs.

[Quattro]

Well the total bail according to the court website is $198. Im trying to price out how much its going to cost me to take off the tint and replace it with Air80 because I definitely do not want to go without the UV protection / heat blocking. I'll just be sad that the uniform tint will be gone and the nice stealth look will be slightly degraded :(

In any case, anyone know if VZWAlex is still lurking around? I worked with him last time to get my tint done (by his business partner I believe) but according to the AZ profile he hasn't been active since about March. I hope I still have my receipt stored away somewhere because the only other place I communicated with him was via AZ PMs.

Knowing you still remember him because of the work he/his friend does make me proud of them. He already replied to this thread though and I am sure he will take care of you! He owns a business now with his old friend - Extreme Autowerks. '

website - http://www.extreme-autowerks.com/
telephone - (562) 449-3464
facebook - www.facebook.com/ExtremeAW

-Randy

[skiracerblah]

Cops will rarely pull you over just for tint since its very little money to them and not worth their time. However, if you get pulled over for something like speeding which involves a lot more $$ and they'll tack on the tint while they have you pulled over.

[oc-drop]

Randy, how many signatures would we need if we wanted to repeal tint laws in CA?
I think we can band together and make something like this happen, make the movement go viral!

[oc-drop]

Or perhaps we should all go complain to our optometrist of light sensitivity and get a scrip :D



V C 26708. (a) (1) A person shall not drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows.

(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(10) Sun screening devices meeting the requirements of Section 26708.2 installed on the side windows on either side of the vehicle’s front seat, if the driver or a passenger in the front seat has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a medical condition, or has in his or her possession a letter or other document signed by a licensed optometrist certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a visual condition. The devices authorized by this paragraph shall not be used during darkness.

[Owoodee]

I just tint the windsheild so there is no clear difference. Its factory officer!!? lol

Just to add my 2 cents over alot of these tickets. If there is a certain look you want to keep find a good shop and some will work with you on a good fix it deal. Free to pull off 50-100 to reapply. Depends where you go etc. It is typically cheaper than the ticket but of course you have to take the time to get it done and signed off etc.

[oc-drop]

FWIW, I am not sure who, but I've heard of some shops that remove and reapply at no cost if you get a ticket.

[Slave IV]

FWIW, I am not sure who, but I've heard of some shops that remove and reapply at no cost if you get a ticket.

Yep...The shop that did my S4 gave me that guarantee...I've mentioned the place here many times before. Highly recommended!

[oc-drop]

Signature Tint, right?

We should make a list of shops that carry that guarantee!

[Slave IV]

Yep...I don't want to flat out say they do it for everyone because I don't know..I just know they said they would do it for me. If anyone has been there recently and they got the same deal, then cool.

[Owoodee]

oh wow thats nice i ve never heard of that. thats awesome!

[S4 00 2.7]

oh wow thats nice i ve never heard of that. thats awesome!

X2

[vwong]

I've had mine removed, ticket signed off, then re-applied the tint on the same day before. Yeah...I don't like it without the tint. I even went back with the same shade, which is dark (approx. 20%).


Noticeable blue hue on the film? Thanks.

I recently had the windshields of both my cars tinted with the AirBlue 80 film. There was no blue hue on the film, however at certain angle, the windshield looks like there's a rainbow on it.

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Well the total bail according to the court website is $198. Im trying to price out how much its going to cost me to take off the tint and replace it with Air80 because I definitely do not want to go without the UV protection / heat blocking. I'll just be sad that the uniform tint will be gone and the nice stealth look will be slightly degraded :(

In any case, anyone know if VZWAlex is still lurking around? I worked with him last time to get my tint done (by his business partner I believe) but according to the AZ profile he hasn't been active since about March. I hope I still have my receipt stored away somewhere because the only other place I communicated with him was via AZ PMs.


Hey Hey there! long time no see! Like Randy mentioned in his reply .. I'm Still Around (VZWalex) I rarely use my personal sn now a days ... call me up at the shop 562 449 3464

For everyone else .. we always take care of our Audizine members Please call and ask for me (alex) and I will honor this years summer pricing ! there you go done deal.

Ed thanks for your input on the Air 80 ... we have been messing around with stacking air80 with other films and our finding have been amazing. Air80's performance is very underrated and by far is superior to any other product like it out in the market. We have a functional display here at the shop and everyone is welcome to come check it out. See ya guys soon!

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Signature Tint, right?

We should make a list of shops that carry that guarantee!

I know Slave IV has a good relationshop with the majority of the shops he works with and this type of warranty is very dooable for the most part especially with lifetime std films. Ceramics are much more expensive but given some of the prices out there I would have to say that something may be worked out. there is a few variables to look at but all in all it looks like it can work.

In the meantime we offer free removal and provide a discount for the retint.

As we work on the variables of how a free re tint would work I will finish by saying thank you all for your support and the reason we are here is because of you. Thank you.

[oc-drop]

I know Slave IV has a good relationshop with the majority of the shops he works with and this type of warranty is very dooable for the most part especially with lifetime std films. Ceramics are much more expensive but given some of the prices out there I would have to say that something may be worked out. there is a few variables to look at but all in all it looks like it can work.

In the meantime we offer free removal and provide a discount for the retint.

As we work on the variables of how a free re tint would work I will finish by saying thank you all for your support and the reason we are here is because of you. Thank you.
Perhaps later down the line, a package deal can be worked out up front for new tints, which can include a "ticket insurance" for a small premium :)

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Perhaps later down the line, a package deal can be worked out up front for new tints, which can include a "ticket insurance" for a small premium :)

That is exactly what I just had a meeting with my fellow peeps about. We are looking at a few options. More details to come as we put some ideas together.

[Slave IV]

Good ideas! What up Alex?!

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Good ideas! What up Alex?!

Oh nothing bro Just was stating how you have a good relationship with many shops and how its a good thing :)

How u been?

[Slave IV]

How it should be right? Shop owners are people too!
I especially like the ones who realize their customers are also people. ;)

I've been good...I know you are always busy these days but you should try to come out to one of the smaller meets sometime. You replace the GTI yet?

[S4 00 2.7]

Hey Hey there! long time no see! Like Randy mentioned in his reply .. I'm Still Around (VZWalex) I rarely use my personal sn now a days ... call me up at the shop 562 449 3464

For everyone else .. we always take care of our Audizine members Please call and ask for me (alex) and I will honor this years summer pricing ! there you go done deal.

Ed thanks for your input on the Air 80 ... we have been messing around with stacking air80 with other films and our finding have been amazing. Air80's performance is very underrated and by far is superior to any other product like it out in the market. We have a functional display here at the shop and everyone is welcome to come check it out. See ya guys soon!

I was asking above if you can pm me a quote to tint my front windshield. 2000 S4

Thanks!

vwong, thanks for your reply!

[OrangeA4]

I had ( a long time ago ) a tint fix it and I pulled the tint and got it signed off, HOWEVER.....
They did not even come out to look at the car!!!!
I could have just paid the fine and not pulled off the tint!
It was like 2x the insult! Man what a joke.
So I'm curious to hear if they actually want to see the car. I figure they don't bother to confirm because if you show up they assume you of course have pulled the tint off.

[Quattro]

I had ( a long time ago ) a tint fix it and I pulled the tint and got it signed off, HOWEVER.....
They did not even come out to look at the car!!!!
I could have just paid the fine and not pulled off the tint!
It was like 2x the insult! Man what a joke.
So I'm curious to hear if they actually want to see the car. I figure they don't bother to confirm because if you show up they assume you of course have pulled the tint off.


this is honestly your luck! I've had them come and inspect the car...

[Bomiz]

I have Air80 on Every Window. It adds a slight tint of blue, but imo it looks really good.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7978614338_db3c2367a1_c.jpg

[Quattro]

it looks baller not blue...you are just making me feel blue :\

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Love the way that looks ! like Randy said it looks baller


I have Air80 on Every Window. It adds a slight tint of blue, but imo it looks really good.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7978614338_db3c2367a1_c.jpg

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

How it should be right? Shop owners are people too!
I especially like the ones who realize their customers are also people. ;)

I've been good...I know you are always busy these days but you should try to come out to one of the smaller meets sometime. You replace the GTI yet?

That is correct ! Man I been trying so hard to get out to a meet .. I still have the GTI think I am going to keep it for a while longer and mod it a bit more.
It has a really bad dent right now on the hood from some debris that hit it so it will be going in to the body shop soon .. gonna shave the mouldings fix the rock chips and new hood and fill in the notch. maybe wrap it after. If someone wants to buy it at anytime .. I'd be willing to sell it . price has to be justified of coarse. I will however look into making to a meet asap. Havent seen a bunch of you guys in a while.

[Slave IV]

Cool!

As for the Air80...Alex, didn't you say something about it bringing out the hue of the OE glass? Basically, if your glass already has some blue to it, it will be more prominent..and same for any other color like green, etc...

Whatever the case, there is windshield tint on every car I drive and I never notice that it's there. Only makes your car cooler and look better if anything.

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Ill give you an example ... on My GTI the glass is Blue OEM from the factory so the OEM blue stands out more than lets say a new A6 or A7 where the glass is a clear brownish color .. the glass will look more like crystal than just plain clear glass.

as far as the side windows they will take on a very light hint of blue in some cars and in others that crystal look. Look at Bomiz car ... it looks like it has Huper Optik on it or like a crystal like color rather than just plain glass. ALso it depends at what angle you look at it .. at some angles you cant see it at all. Allot of variables will always go into play .... the real wildcards are the Tiguans and Touregs ... those are a fun green lol

When your inside the car you cant tell any color difference from what I can see . This is the case at eye level as well for the most part.

hope this helps


Cool!

As for the Air80...Alex, didn't you say something about it bringing out the hue of the OE glass? Basically, if your glass already has some blue to it, it will be more prominent..and same for any other color like green, etc...

Whatever the case, there is windshield tint on every car I drive and I never notice that it's there. Only makes your car cooler and look better if anything.

[Slave IV]

Well, it looks great on my R32 (also slight blue, like your GTI)..and on the Benz you did, it probably looks more like the crystal you describe.
Love it either way.

[S4 00 2.7]

I have Air80 on Every Window. It adds a slight tint of blue, but imo it looks really good.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7978614338_db3c2367a1_c.jpg

Baller +1.

Any distortion on front windshield at night?

Alex, thanks for the pm.

Alex

[Slave IV]

Like I said, I don't notice it at all in any negative way...if anything, it slightly reduces glare from lights at night. There is really no reason to me that you wouldn't get some sort of ceramic film all around on any car you own and everyone I know who got it can't imagine how they lived without it before.

[Quattro]

I wasn't a believer of ceramic tint until it was applied to my car, I love it.

[R1CH-5100]

Cops will rarely pull you over just for tint since its very little money to them and not worth their time. However, if you get pulled over for something like speeding which involves a lot more $$ and they'll tack on the tint while they have you pulled over.

It is rare for them to pull you on just tints alone, unless they're trying to fill quote, or it a new cop. It's not impossible for this to happen twice in a two week period. Ask me how I know [headbang]

[Slave IV]

Funny thing...I went to the CHP office to try to get them to sign off a front plate ticket and not only did they come out to check, they had an entire list of things that you had to clear or they won't sign you off. The guy couldn't tell if I had tint or not on the front sides so he made me roll my windows down halfway and was picking at the edges for a while to see if I did or not. Once he determined I did have tint, he wouldn't sign me off for the front plate and he almost wrote me a ticket for the tint! They do it for the money just like everything these days...since CHP normally signs off tickets for free, I guess they devised a plan for them to produce income in other ways. Either by writing you another ticket or making you go to the regular police station where you have to pay and then they don't care as long as you fixed whatever you were originally ticketed for. Lame.

[Rhino85]

Well that sucks. So are you just going to go to the regular police station? I got a front plate ticket once but only had to pay like $25 online. I never had to get it written off. I received it from the sheriff while parked at school. I saw the guy driving around that week too, I just figured he was patrolling to make sure the lots were safe.

[S4 00 2.7]

That sucks.

[Slave IV]

Yeah, I ended up going to the police station...they charged me almost as much as the ticket was to write it off ($20 and $25).
Bastards...all of them for making me follow their silly rules.

[Bomiz]

Baller +1.

Any distortion on front windshield at night?

Alex, thanks for the pm.

Alex

No I can't even tell that I have tints from the inside.

[S4 00 2.7]

Thanks Bomiz.

[Myxyzxo]

FYI to everyone, I believe that in 2013 there is a change in the tint law. It's no longer going to be a fix it ticket, they are turning it into an actual fine.

[Rhino85]

^ do you have a link to anything relating to that. I'd much like to read up on it.

[sadpandas]

Alex your GTI looks sick. had to go to pas vw this morning.... its been a rough week buddy. Will talk this week and get the passat in there asap.

[Extreme-AutoWerks]

Alex your GTI looks sick. had to go to pas vw this morning.... its been a rough week buddy. Will talk this week and get the passat in there asap.

Thanks P just hit me up when you can send me those pics of the car.

[joebleu]

FYI to everyone, I believe that in 2013 there is a change in the tint law. It's no longer going to be a fix it ticket, they are turning it into an actual fine.

I'd like to see this as well since I'm in the exact same situation. On a lazy morning with literally no one around, a cop blessed me with his attention and gave me a fix-it ticket. I had a 35% in the fronts and it was kind of funny because as he was giving me the ticket, almost all the cars passing by had front tints [headbang]. Just finished getting the tint removed and inspected, and am now wondering if I should get tint reapplied; thinking about Air80 (just learned about that here) or a regular 50% tint. If it is true that they're making it a real fine, it will make my decision easier.

Cost for this fix it was: $15 tint removal + $19 PD inspection + $25 ticket processing fee = $59 so far depending on whether I want to get new tint added.

[dhcivic27]

Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?
The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:

The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.

The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

[joebleu]

So I found something about a new law in 2013... law enforcement can now have tinted front windows LOL but not the rest of us.

http://www.windowfilmmag.com/index.php/archives/3084

[Slave IV]

Yeah..I've seen undercover cops in DT LA in all black Chargers, regular plates and dark tint all around (except maybe the windshield). Can't see anything inside them until they flash the lights on the rear deck and even then, barely noticeable since their tint is so dark. Only reason I knew was because there was one driving very fast and erratically and I didn't do anything really dumb but just kept up with him. He eventually turned off and flashed his lights at me when he did.

[sadpandas]

Yeah..I've seen undercover cops in DT LA in all black Chargers, regular plates and dark tint all around (except maybe the windshield). Can't see anything inside them until they flash the lights on the rear deck and even then, barely noticeable since their tint is so dark. Only reason I knew was because there was one driving very fast and erratically and I didn't do anything really dumb but just kept up with him. He eventually turned off and flashed his lights at me when he did.

Just saw my 1st one today. intimidation....

[Echo4Tango]

Lets see if I can reopen this post:

Just got the same ticket and for the ticket theres a fine ($198) that you can pay, or a $25 fee after you proved you've taken the tent off.

So... what if you just pay the fine and walk away? Will there be a bigger fine next time or just a repeat of the same ticket??

If anyone has any insight I'd love to find out before April 25th haha

[adub]

Do you drive a lot? See if you can get a doctors note for tint to help skin cancer prevention.

[Tuvix]

Do you drive a lot? See if you can get a doctors note for tint to help skin cancer prevention.

http://i.imgur.com/mZ1BG7Y.gif

[Quattro]

Lets see if I can reopen this post:

Just got the same ticket and for the ticket theres a fine ($198) that you can pay, or a $25 fee after you proved you've taken the tent off.

So... what if you just pay the fine and walk away? Will there be a bigger fine next time or just a repeat of the same ticket??

If anyone has any insight I'd love to find out before April 25th haha

If you pay the fine you do not have to remove the window tint. It is more probable that the next time you receive a tint ticket the price will increase as a result of a second offense. However, at that time you will have the option to also remove the ticket. The increase also depends on how often you are cited. I received one tint ticket many years ago and another one recently, same price no increase. However, if you receive one weekly or within a few months, it is possible the price will increase. Most officers also have the discretion to either mark the offense non-correctable or correctable violation. Irregardless of what they write, you can have the offense corrected.



Do you drive a lot? See if you can get a doctors note for tint to help skin cancer prevention.

Andrew, there is no legal exception for a doctors note recognized under California, unfortunately. If you did have this note, an officer would have the discretion of citing you upon showing him the note. I would imagine you would go to court and show this to the judge and he would tell you no legal exception either. I asked my professor about this many moons ago and we assume you would need to appeal that decision and fight to have this conviction overturned because of a legitimate excuse. Other states recognize a doctors note as an exception, but as mentioned prior not California. I would encourage you to go this route if you have a legitimate doctors note encase they needed proof of an actual condition. Perjury is a serious offense which no one will condone.

-Randy

[Echo4Tango]

If you pay the fine you do not have to remove the window tint. It is more probable that the next time you receive a tint ticket the price will increase as a result of a second offense. However, at that time you will have the option to also remove the ticket. The increase also depends on how often you are cited. I received one tint ticket many years ago and another one recently, same price no increase. However, if you receive one weekly or within a few months, it is possible the price will increase. Most officers also have the discretion to either mark the offense non-correctable or correctable violation. Irregardless of what they write, you can have the offense corrected.

-Randy

Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for the great info Randy!