So I am getting my daughters car tinted. 2006 VW Beetle. Rated like #1 most hated car to tint. Actually found a local guy to tint it and asked him to give me a quote on the coach windshields and forward side windows. Tired of roasting in the sun driving west every year. He also measured up the remaining windows, not that we are planning but getting a quote never hurts. Doing the VLT 80% on the windshields and probably the same or a little more tint on the sides and back of the coach. Thought he had ghosted me on the coach. Today he called me and went straight to the entire coach price. $1800. I thought about ten seconds and agreed to his price. Still have to get DW to decide what color tint she wants and how dark or light she wants the back of the coach. I do drive at night so that is the reason for little tint in the front. It still has over 90% heat rejection. Amazing stuff. Can't wait to get it done. Anyone have any input I would appreciate it.
Scott
If you go too dark you get reflections off the side window.. I did the whole coach too... It helps.
It's a game changer when driving into the sun for me. Went from having to run roof air at 75 to dash air working for me up to 85-90ish. Had to replace my windshields after Alaska so need to get it done again.
Ceramic tint for the win.
I'm probably more concerned about going too light. Mainly chasing solar rejection and better tint color. Think it comes in green,blue,gray. Installer will bring by samples for DW to choose from
How much of the windshield is done ?
All of it. Very little tint but almost complete solar rejection. Have had it done on my trucks and suburban and just love it. At night it takes the edge off the people with illegal unfocused LED headlights but doesnt effect vision that I can tell. I was very worried about that initially but have become very satisfied since having. Would never want to go back. Spoiled. New manufactured glass has added this UV rejection but our old glass doesnt have it. This is simular to what he is using
Amazon.com: Nano Ceramic Car Front Window Film 99% Anti UV Heat Insulation... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087R6YNYW/?coliid=I85R3QLF6INMU&colid=12M94CNUE9SD1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1)
10 years ago, our new-to-us coach came with the "heat rejection" ceramic film on the windshields. It is clear over 90% of the glass, with a dark band at the top. We've never been without it, so can't say how effective it is, but the prior owners said it made a big difference in the perceived driver compartment temps when driving into the sun. No reason I would doubt them.
One thing I noticed right off was my prescription polarized sun glasses didn't play nice with the film. I saw a kinda random rainbow effect when looking through the glass that was unpleasant. Switched to non-polarized glasses, the bothersome effect disappeared. My solution was to get one pair of non-polarized prescription sun glasses that I keep in the coach. Problem solved.
I don't know if the clear solar tint they sell today would have this same problem, but it's something to check...
Chuck funny you mentioned that. My co worker Gary yesterday mentioned his wife has been putting her feet on his Jeep windshield and has micro scratched the tint in that area and it drives him crazy with his polarized glasses in that area only. Everywhere else is okay. I recall the horizontal lines cause the problem and the vertical lines are hidden? Would affect cleaning tint im sure
Chuck I had the same trouble with the Silverleaf computer I had to get non polarized sun glasses
to view it.
Just like looking through the heated windshield on the Buff, right Chuck.
jk
Kinda, although I don't think the old school flying glasses were polarized. But don't quote me on that...
Now I'll have to dig mine out of my old helmet bag and check them... :thumbsup:
We just so happened to have the windshields done in ceramic today; $550, local guy came to us. Expecting nice improvement from the heat / sun.
Thank you that is helpful
Have you any improvements to report?
Justin the window tint guy was able to make it over today and the wind held off long enough to get the two front windshields done today. He had convinced me to go darker being it is such a large area of glass. I was real concerned about them being too dark, but once on they look great so far. I had pre removed everything and cleaned the windows better than I had ever before. Used a razor blade inside and outside over the entire window. On the second picture is a scrap I put on the fiberglass for comparison. Last picture is the windshield and the outside. The door is facing the camera so it doesnt take up any of the picture. DW is real happy so that helps.
Scott
Scott,
SO, the film is applied to the exterior surface of the glass? I would have thought it would go on the inside. Just curious.
Does the coating help stop rock chips. It looks great.
No because its on the inside not on the outside
They use the exterior to fit the piece then it goes inside.. Unless this is different but I have never seen anything like on the exterior of the glass
Yes they fit/shrink on the outside. Install on inside. No doesnt help with chips. Yes my windshields possibly may be the factory originals and are filled with damage and repairs. Tint also add.s a little safety element to the glass if it was to get actually broken being it is basically glued to the inside. 90% heat rejection and 99.9%UV protection👍👍
Also, there is a elastic product available for the front painted areas that is added to a new gel coat. It is an elastomeric by Sikkens.
The older 3-M mask I had before is really harder to remove when re-painting is needed. Don't ask me how I know this -though Rapid Remover (Amazon) and a using a steamer are extremely helpful. Still a 6-8 hour job though.
Jim
I thought it was strange the they were putting it on the outside that's why I thought it mite help
with chips.
I am a believer 3M™ Automotive Window Film Crystalline Series (https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00016683/)
Looks great.... Now I'm trying to imagine how and why your friends wife got her feet on the windshield... What I would give to be young again...
It's a Jeep. No legroom and she was putting her lazy feet on the dash. He should have smacked her for doing that. I'll bet she hasn't been busy in a Jeep ever!
So in tinting the windows we are just amazed at the difference and wish we had done years ago. Huge difference driving west with sun to the south. I used to cook now it's cool.