Window Tint question

[aspw]

So couple of co-workers and I are getting our cars tinted this Thursday.

I have a couple of questions/comments to the tint installer before then. Was wondering if you guys can make sure I covered everything, or if there is something I missed that I need to go over with him:

1. 3rd brake light, make sure it is not a "cutout" around the brake light. Instead, make sure the whole piece of tint goes over it.
2. To do #1, will the rear deck need to be removed?
3. The dot matrix around the rear window, make sure the tint goes over it. (I am just curious to see what he will recommend, I think this is my preferred option)
4. How close to the edge of the windows can he get? There should be no even a sliver of light showing thru after tint is applied.

Thanks in advance,

ps. notice I did not use "tint + s", I know some audiziners will spontaneously combust at the sight of that word.

[Brent27]

The rear window should be one piece and not cut out, the rear deck does not need to be removed they should have the proper tools to push the tint flat.

I had the tint go over the dot matrix, I think if they know what they are doing you shouldn't have any worries about them getting bubbles in the dot matrix, he may suggest to shave it down smooth, which I dont recommend.

The closest he should be able to get is about 1/8th of a inch and the max gap should be about 1/4, but it wont look as good if its off any more.

also make sure they dont cut the rubber lining around the bottom of the window on the inside, some places do this because they are lazy and dont want to take the panels off or don't know how to get the tint all the way down, with the proper tools/technique.

Also find out what tint they are using, there are many diff types, normal tint that last about 3 years then there's metallic,ceramic which should last longer...

another good area to find info is on the tint dude forum.

So couple of co-workers and I are getting our cars tinted this Thursday.

I have a couple of questions/comments to the tint installer before then. Was wondering if you guys can make sure I covered everything, or if there is something I missed that I need to go over with him:

1. 3rd brake light, make sure it is not a "cutout" around the brake light. Instead, make sure the whole piece of tint goes over it.
2. To do #1, will the rear deck need to be removed?
3. The dot matrix around the rear window, make sure the tint goes over it. (I am just curious to see what he will recommend, I think this is my preferred option)
4. How close to the edge of the windows can he get? There should be no even a sliver of light showing thru after tint is applied.

Thanks in advance,

ps. notice I did not use "tint + s", I know some audiziners will spontaneously combust at the sight of that word.

[AlexK]

4. How close to the edge of the windows can he get? There should be no even a sliver of light showing thru after tint is applied.

In my previous car the film came about 1/8" to the edge of the window and no light goes through. If you're taking your car to any reputable shop don't even worry about this.

[NateW]

So couple of co-workers and I are getting our cars tinted this Thursday.

I have a couple of questions/comments to the tint installer before then. Was wondering if you guys can make sure I covered everything, or if there is something I missed that I need to go over with him:

1. 3rd brake light, make sure it is not a "cutout" around the brake light. Instead, make sure the whole piece of tint goes over it.
2. To do #1, will the rear deck need to be removed?
3. The dot matrix around the rear window, make sure the tint goes over it. (I am just curious to see what he will recommend, I think this is my preferred option)
4. How close to the edge of the windows can he get? There should be no even a sliver of light showing thru after tint is applied.

Thanks in advance,

ps. notice I did not use "tint + s", I know some audiziners will spontaneously combust at the sight of that word.

First, you should have a brake light cut out unless your car has a spoiler with a brake light in it or it is on the body of the car. It's a federal law that the brake light must not be covered.

The dot matrix across the border of the glass, there's not much you can do about that, the installer shouldn't cut it out. Just deal with the border, most people don't notice it.

I'm a window tinter, and I file all glass, so there is no gap across any roll down window. Most good installers will either file or shave, or their hand cuts are tight enough so that there is little to no gap.

[Bllzll]

it looks soooooo retarded when people cut out the break lights.. screw the federal law.. its hideous looking

[stephengraham]

Mine is cut out and I think it looks fine. The shop I went to did a great job, its perfectly matched to the shape of the light housing, no gap.

A gap or a jagged cut would look stupid though.

[aspw]

First, you should have a brake light cut out unless your car has a spoiler with a brake light in it or it is on the body of the car. It's a federal law that the brake light must not be covered.

The rear window should be one piece and not cut out, the rear deck does not need to be removed they should have the proper tools to push the tint flat.

So are both of you talking about the same thing? There should be no film over the third brake light? Wouldn't it look weird?

Also find out what tint they are using, there are many diff types, normal tint that last about 3 years then there's metallic,ceramic which should last longer...

Llumar ATC Charcoal is what I was told, more flat black than glossy. It is a dye film right? He has a lifetime guarantee that it won't turn purple (which I was told is a common problem with dye film).

another good area to find info is on the tint dude forum.

Yep that's a very informational forum. Thanks!

[Blarg]

Make sure they have a clean install shop otherwise you'll get tons of dust and stuff under the tint.

[NateW]

I am talking about the 3rd brake light, it needs to be cut out. similar to this (you can kind of see it from this pic):


the rear window pattern itself should be 1 piece. they should heat shrink it.

[artinmoTTion]

Don't be stupid. They're there for a reason, and were found to decrease the chance of a collision. I know that here in The Land of the Sick and the Phat, blacking out everything (excuse me, "murdering" out everything) is just plain "sick", but the rest of us might call the reduction of others' ability to see your Audi's brake lights ghetto and just plain stupid. Each of my tinted cars has been tinted legally and had a brake cut out, without any problems or regrets.

[aspw]

I am talking about the 3rd brake light, it needs to be cut out. similar to this (you can kind of see it from this pic):
the rear window pattern itself should be 1 piece. they should heat shrink it.

So the pic you attached shows the third brake lights "cut out", basically meaning, there is no tint over the brake lights?

It doesn't look bad at all, I guess I have just seen some bad cuts that leaks light through and it just looks messy.

This I can accept, in fact I think this is what I'll tell the installer.

Make sure they have a clean install shop otherwise you'll get tons of dust and stuff under the tint.

He is doing it in a friend's garage that's clean. Very good point.

Thanks!
-A

[akasch]

To tell you the truth I think it looks better when the tint is over the brake light and not cut out, its not that big of a deal. When the light is on you can see it perfectly. And definitely make sure that the tinter cleans the window well before he does it, or else you will have bubbles everywhere. Btw what % are you getting op?

[aspw]

To tell you the truth I think it looks better when the tint is over the brake light and not cut out, its not that big of a deal. When the light is on you can see it perfectly. And definitely make sure that the tinter cleans the window well before he does it, or else you will have bubbles everywhere. Btw what % are you getting op?

I'm only going for 35% Llumar ATC Charcoal all around, now that I thought of it I had the 35% tint over 3rd brake light in my Jetta.

[bcramer]

If you're using someone who is reputable and knows that they're doing then all of your concerns and null and void.

[kastro]

5% all around ftwftfwtwfw plus 5% windshield :)

[aspw]

If you're using someone who is reputable and knows that they're doing then all of your concerns and null and void.

I'll be the first to admit I am anal retentive, I need to know everything that I should look out for just in case. I'm just leaving my car there and going back to get it after work, and I'd prefer to have everything done right the first time.

5% all around ftwftfwtwfw plus 5% windshield :)

Totally dood, and while I'm at it, I should drive with no headlights on, go for the total "murdered out" eh ;)

[agorich]

20% is great for me. i had 10% all around before. it was real hard to see at night. esp when parking or going through residential. (watch out for kids!!!) also, what type of tint is it? i have ceramic. and i love it. good luck!

[Alkemix]

ASPW, mind if i post up a quick side question related to tint on your thread?

[aspw]

ASPW, mind if i post up a quick side question related to tint on your thread?

sure! why not?

[Brent27]

So are both of you talking about the same thing? There should be no film over the third brake light? Wouldn't it look weird?

no the film is normally over it, I was saying they shouldnt have to remove the rear deck. I am not sure on the Federal Law about covering the light with tint but I never heard a cop pulling someone over for having tint over the 3rd brake light. I have 20% and you can see my brake light fine day and night...good films allow light from the inside show through especially at night..

[cstarky15]

Mine is cut out. i think it looks fine:

[NateW]

I didn't mean to get everyone all giddy about the 3rd brake light cut out, if your state doesn't have centralized state inspection lanes (like we do in DE), then it's really not a big deal. We have inspection lanes in DE where they check things like that. We aren't allowed to have tint on the front 2 windows, loud exhausts, extremely lowered cars, "cleared" headlights, aftermarket tails, blah blah.

[aspw]

Mine is cut out. i think it looks fine:

To be honest I can't even tell, what % is your tint?

I didn't mean to get everyone all giddy about the 3rd brake light cut out, if your state doesn't have centralized state inspection lanes (like we do in DE), then it's really not a big deal. We have inspection lanes in DE where they check things like that. We aren't allowed to have tint on the front 2 windows, loud exhausts, extremely lowered cars, "cleared" headlights, aftermarket tails, blah blah.

In MO we have safety and emission tests, but neither of the test target aftermarket modification. No tints on the 2 front door in DE? Wow.

[Tiesto]

Don't be stupid. They're there for a reason, and were found to decrease the chance of a collision. I know that here in The Land of the Sick and the Phat, blacking out everything (excuse me, "murdering" out everything) is just plain "sick", but the rest of us might call the reduction of others' ability to see your Audi's brake lights ghetto and just plain stupid. Each of my tinted cars has been tinted legally and had a brake cut out, without any problems or regrets.

Hahaha this post made my day.

[cstarky15]

[QUOTE=aspw;2942224]To be honest I can't even tell, what % is your tint?
QUOTE]

35% all the way around. I have been stopped once for speeding and the guy measured it at 27% but let me off with a warning!!