Window Tinting

[lsokol]

I am thinking of getting my windows tinted, but i want them illegal all over( really dark). There is no problem where i live with this. I was wondering if anybody out there has an illegal window tint? And if so how does it Look? Does it look cheap? Or Stylish? THanks lance

[Art]

Lance,

Tinting is definitely a cool feature in more ways than one. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
I'm seriously looking at having it installed and found a local shop that seems quite reputable. They sell and install Llumar film in varying types and shades. http://www.supertint.com/auto_film.htm

Personally, I would go for a more neutrally lighter charcoal shade myself, saving the jet black tones for the hearses and limos. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[gregj]

I have never had windows tinted.  My suburban has dark tinted glass not an aftermarket film and I like the effect very much.  I have seen a few XC's around town with tinted windows and it really looks great!  My concern is how these hold up over time?  I remember friends 15 years ago tinting their windows and after a couple of years it would start to separate, crack, fade and become a real mess and very difficult to remove.

I don't want this to happen to a $40,000 car.  Any comments on long term durability of the new film?

Thanks,
Greg.

[Pastor John]

I have been using the metallic-embedded tint that 3M and Llumar produce for several years and have had excellent results.  This high-end film (about $185 to tint the XC) comes with a lifetime warranty and in my applications has never faded, cracked, or peeled.  It's not a mirror tint, but rather has titanium embedded in the film matrix that helps with reflection of solar rays.  I have used the gray tint and also the amber, although I prefer the gray.

The only problem with "illegal" tint - that is, tint that exceeds state regulations, is that it gets expensive when you get mulitiple citations.

My 19-year old son just removed his dark tint because he couldn't afford any more $100 fines...

John