Window tinting?
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Arlington, VA
Window tinting?
And a second, quick question: Has anyone tinted the windows in their MINI? I was thinking of using the dealer (yes, more expensive, but was looking at the convenience of the warranty service) but would like feedback on
a) Would you/have you tinted your windows
b) Who would you/have you used to tint your windows
My on-order MINI is jet black/jet black with aero kit and I was looking to darken its appearance further with the tinted windows.
BTW, does anyone know the limits allowed in VA (where I live), DC and MD?
Thanks,
John
a) Would you/have you tinted your windows
b) Who would you/have you used to tint your windows
My on-order MINI is jet black/jet black with aero kit and I was looking to darken its appearance further with the tinted windows.
BTW, does anyone know the limits allowed in VA (where I live), DC and MD?
Thanks,
John
I have tinted both of my MINIs and had 0 problems. MD law is 35% all around for cars. 5" strip on windshield.
$150 from a great guy in Laurel. Name is Carlos. 301-498-7333. 0 problems and he warrants his work. Which is basically what a dealer will do. But with the dealer a tint person will come in to do the work and fix it if needed.
$150 from a great guy in Laurel. Name is Carlos. 301-498-7333. 0 problems and he warrants his work. Which is basically what a dealer will do. But with the dealer a tint person will come in to do the work and fix it if needed.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
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Originally Posted by jdandeneau
BTW, does anyone know the limits allowed in VA (where I live), DC and MD?
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/VA/
Don't know about DC
For installation try http://www.hprcustoms.com/
Mine cost maybe $100 (I forget) maybe 150 for all the windows
HPR is a speed shop that does a booming business and many tinting installations, seen several BMWs in there.
You do need to be careful of what, for example, 35% means. Your rear windows and tailgate window is already tinted. If you get 35% tint, you will be illegal in that state.
1st Gear
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Tinting in Virginia
Got my dark silver MCS tinted at Roadblock in Sterling. Cheaper than Mini of Sterling (MOS) dealership, which uses the same shop and charges an additional fee.
I went in to get sunroof tinted because too much heat and light were coming through and the car and its occupants (and stuff inside) were cooking. Ended up getting side and back windows done too.
Percents are the amount of sunlight allowed to come in, so lower number equals more tint. Top is 5%, which may or may not be enough -- I'll see how it works out with a few long drives on sunny days. Side door windows are 50% and rear side and hatchback windows are 35%, all of which are Virginia legal, according to MOS's client services rep Bill Cason and Roadblock honcho Al Rodriguez. One note: After tint film is applied, you have to wait 3-5 days before rolling down door windows. I gave it 6 days just to be sure. My limited experience so far is that the tinting keeps the car a lot cooler -- and it looks pretty cool too. Cost was a shade over $300 with warranty for life of car for bubbling and peeling.
John.
I went in to get sunroof tinted because too much heat and light were coming through and the car and its occupants (and stuff inside) were cooking. Ended up getting side and back windows done too.
Percents are the amount of sunlight allowed to come in, so lower number equals more tint. Top is 5%, which may or may not be enough -- I'll see how it works out with a few long drives on sunny days. Side door windows are 50% and rear side and hatchback windows are 35%, all of which are Virginia legal, according to MOS's client services rep Bill Cason and Roadblock honcho Al Rodriguez. One note: After tint film is applied, you have to wait 3-5 days before rolling down door windows. I gave it 6 days just to be sure. My limited experience so far is that the tinting keeps the car a lot cooler -- and it looks pretty cool too. Cost was a shade over $300 with warranty for life of car for bubbling and peeling.
John.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Manassas, Va
Here is a link to a pic of my mini. I bought it in Las Vegas so I am sure it is not legal. It looks good though.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...i_tint-med.jpg
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...i_tint-med.jpg
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Coordinator :: Hawaii MINI Motoring Club
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Austin, Texas - U.S.A.
tint for Mini
--Hot new thing is Ceramic tint. My old roommate got that for his Rx-8 and he said his air conditioning doesn't have to work half as hard now. The heat blockage from ceramic tint is really dramatic when compared to standard tint. Neat stuff. Expensive tho. His rx-8 tint cost him $500. Ask for a demo, it can't hurt. We love our tint in Hawaii.
--pyratio
--pyratio
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Augusta, GA
Originally Posted by pyratio
--Hot new thing is Ceramic tint. My old roommate got that for his Rx-8 and he said his air conditioning doesn't have to work half as hard now. The heat blockage from ceramic tint is really dramatic when compared to standard tint. Neat stuff. Expensive tho. His rx-8 tint cost him $500. Ask for a demo, it can't hurt. We love our tint in Hawaii.
--pyratio
--pyratio
-Paul!
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Arlington, VA
Thoughts on different shades of tinting?
So now I'm having to decide between 35% tinting for rear and rear side windows and 50% tinting for front sides (giving a "two-tone" look) or maybe going with 50% tinting all around instead for a more consistent, darker look.
Has anyone else dealt with this yet? More pics helpful - thanks!
john
Has anyone else dealt with this yet? More pics helpful - thanks!
john
Originally Posted by jdandeneau
So now I'm having to decide between 35% tinting for rear and rear side windows and 50% tinting for front sides (giving a "two-tone" look) or maybe going with 50% tinting all around instead for a more consistent, darker look.
Has anyone else dealt with this yet? More pics helpful - thanks!
john
Has anyone else dealt with this yet? More pics helpful - thanks!
john
Like my car:
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Arlington, VA
I do like the consistent look of your car's windows 
In VA, however, 50% is the max legal on the front side windows, so 35% all around isn't an option.
Anyone know what the tint % on the stock MINI are?
john
In VA, however, 50% is the max legal on the front side windows, so 35% all around isn't an option.
Anyone know what the tint % on the stock MINI are?
john
Originally Posted by jdandeneau
In VA, however, 50% is the max legal on the front side windows, so 35% all around isn't an option.
Coordinator :: Pitt Stop MINI
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Steelers Country
Originally Posted by pyratio
--Hot new thing is Ceramic tint.
With the small volume of a MINI (compared to an SUV or large sedan), I don't know if it would be worth the money for the heat block ability of ceramic. Carbon costs more than metallic, but not quite as much as ceramic. Might be a better way to go.
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
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yea my shop charges 160 for the mini and its warantied for life against any fading or bubbling or peeling, youll find many price ranges, just do a surch of tinting companies in your area and im shure youll come out on top, use the dealer as little as you can if money is a concern, i used to work for the bmw\mini dealer in michigan and they used outside servise for everything(graphics-tint-windsheild replacment-ect) and then charged the customer a premium
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
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From: Everett, WA
State - Front, Sides / Back, Sides / Rear
DC- 70 / 50 / 50
MD- 35 / 35 / 35
VA- 50 / 35 / 35
http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/S...aw%20Chart.htm
DC- 70 / 50 / 50
MD- 35 / 35 / 35
VA- 50 / 35 / 35
http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/S...aw%20Chart.htm
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Manassas, Va
It's only illegal if you get caught.
Originally Posted by jdandeneau
I do like the consistent look of your car's windows
In VA, however, 50% is the max legal on the front side windows, so 35% all around isn't an option.
Anyone know what the tint % on the stock MINI are?
john
In VA, however, 50% is the max legal on the front side windows, so 35% all around isn't an option.
Anyone know what the tint % on the stock MINI are?
john
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Arlington, VA
Originally Posted by mpwald05
It's only illegal if you get caught.
My brother-in-law, whom I hang out with, happens to be a Fairfax County police officer.
I don't want to put him or his buddies in a position of having to decide to let me slide everytime they see me in my MINI.
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Arlington, VA
I stopped by Autobahnd Roadblock, in Sterling (this is the shop that MOS uses). I chatted with the guy about my concerns. He suggested I consider going 45% all around. Close enough to 50% to pass scrutiny, but a touch darker than the weak looking 50%.
He had someone's EB/W MCS in the shop with the aerokit, so I was checking it out.
He was applying the Roadblock paint protection to the front-facing surfaces. I was pretty impressed with their thoroughness - they had the headlights and cowl vent removed so they could wrap those surfaces and then put the pieces back in. *** Has anyone done Roadblock or Invisishield? Do the MINIs front ends get as beat up as I hear? [Maybe we should start a separate thread for that...]
He had someone's EB/W MCS in the shop with the aerokit, so I was checking it out.
He was applying the Roadblock paint protection to the front-facing surfaces. I was pretty impressed with their thoroughness - they had the headlights and cowl vent removed so they could wrap those surfaces and then put the pieces back in. *** Has anyone done Roadblock or Invisishield? Do the MINIs front ends get as beat up as I hear? [Maybe we should start a separate thread for that...]
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
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Originally Posted by Wagnbat
State - Front, Sides / Back, Sides / Rear
DC- 70 / 50 / 50
MD- 35 / 35 / 35
VA- 50 / 35 / 35
http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/S...aw%20Chart.htm
DC- 70 / 50 / 50
MD- 35 / 35 / 35
VA- 50 / 35 / 35
http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_Chart/S...aw%20Chart.htm
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4th Gear
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From: Arlington, VA
Tint laws in VA
And here's the laws for VA (from the VA State Police website, http://www.vsp.state.va.us/faq.htm).
- Interesting - it allows for a +/- 7% deviation in the allowable light. (para D)
It also seems to hold the tint shop accountable for the work - (last part of para C)
Does anyone know what the factory tint is on the MINI?
john
What are the tint laws in Virginia?
Section 46.2-1052 states:
- Interesting - it allows for a +/- 7% deviation in the allowable light. (para D)
It also seems to hold the tint shop accountable for the work - (last part of para C)
Does anyone know what the factory tint is on the MINI?
john
What are the tint laws in Virginia?
Section 46.2-1052 states:
Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties.
Any person or firm who applies or affixes to the windows of any motor vehicle in Virginia sun-shading or tinting films that (i) reduce the light transmittance to levels less than that allowed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding twenty percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense.
- Except as otherwise provided in this article or permitted by federal law, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle on a highway with any sign, poster, colored or tinted film, sun-shading material, or other colored material on the windshield, front or rear side windows, or rear windows of such motor vehicle. This provision, however, shall not apply to any certificate or other paper required by law or permitted by the Superintendent to be placed on a motor vehicle's windshield or window.
The size of stickers or decals used by counties, cities, and towns in lieu of license plates shall be in compliance with regulations promulgated by the Superintendent. Such stickers shall be affixed on the windshield at a location designated by the Superintendent. - Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, whenever a motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of such vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, any or all of the following shall be lawful:
- To drive a motor vehicle equipped with one optically grooved clear plastic right-angle rear view lens attached to one rear window of such motor vehicle, not exceeding eighteen inches in diameter in the case of a circular lens or not exceeding eleven inches by fourteen inches in the case of a rectangular lens, which enables the driver of the motor vehicle to view below the line of sight as viewed through the rear window;
- To have affixed to the rear side windows, rear window or windows of a motor vehicle any sticker or stickers, regardless of size; or
- To drive a motor vehicle when the driver's clear view of the highway through the rear window or windows is otherwise obstructed.
- Except as provided in § 46.2-1053, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, no sun-shading or tinting film may be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such motor vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of the vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the sun-shading or tinting film is applied or affixed in accordance with the following:
- No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than thirty-five percent;
- No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the front side windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce total light transmittance of such window to less than fifty percent;
- No sun-shading or tinting films shall be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle that (i) have a reflectance of light exceeding twenty percent or (ii) produce a holographic or prism effect.
Any person or firm who applies or affixes to the windows of any motor vehicle in Virginia sun-shading or tinting films that (i) reduce the light transmittance to levels less than that allowed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding twenty percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense.
- The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to § 2.1-446, shall determine the proper standards for equipment or devices used to measure light transmittance through windows of motor vehicles. Law-enforcement officers shall use only such equipment or devices to measure light transmittance through windows that meet the standards established by the Division. Such measurements made by law-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.
- No film or darkening material may be applied on the windshield except to replace the sunshield in the uppermost area as installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
- Nothing in this section shall prohibit the affixing to the rear window of a motor vehicle of a single sticker no larger than twenty square inches if such sticker is totally contained within the lower five inches of the glass of the rear window, nor shall subsection B of this section apply to a motor vehicle to which but one such sticker is so affixed.
- Nothing in this section shall prohibit applying to the rear side windows or rear window of any multi-purpose passenger vehicle or pickup truck sun-shading or tinting films that reduce the total light transmittance of such window or windows below thirty-five percent.
- As used in this article:
"Front side windows" means those windows located adjacent to and forward of the driver's seat;
"Holographic effect" means a picture or image that may remain constant or change as the viewing angle is changed;
"Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is (i) designed to carry no more than ten persons and (ii) constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use;
"Prism effect" means a visual, iridescent, or rainbow-like effect that separates light into various colored components that may change depending on viewing angle.
"Rear side windows" means those windows located to the rear of the driver's seat;
"Rear window" or "rear windows" means those windows which are located to the rear of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and which are approximately parallel to the windshield;
"Holographic effect" means a picture or image that may remain constant or change as the viewing angle is changed;
"Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is (i) designed to carry no more than ten persons and (ii) constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use;
"Prism effect" means a visual, iridescent, or rainbow-like effect that separates light into various colored components that may change depending on viewing angle.
"Rear side windows" means those windows located to the rear of the driver's seat;
"Rear window" or "rear windows" means those windows which are located to the rear of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and which are approximately parallel to the windshield;
- Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, sun-shading material which was applied or installed prior to July 1, 1987, in a manner and on which windows not then in violation of Virginia law, shall continue to be lawful, provided that it can be shown by appropriate receipts that such material was installed prior to July 1, 1987.
- Where a person is convicted within one year of a second or subsequent violation of this section involving the operation of the same vehicle having a tinted or smoked windshield, the court, in addition to any other penalty, may order the person so convicted to remove such tinted or smoked windshield from the vehicle.
- The provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement vehicles.
- The provisions of subdivision C(1.) of this section shall not apply to sight-seeing carriers as defined in § 46.2-2200 and limousine and executive sedan carriers as defined in § 46.2-2500.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
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Originally Posted by jdandeneau
And here's the laws for VA
- Interesting - it allows for a +/- 7% deviation in the allowable light. (para D)
It also seems to hold the tint shop accountable for the work - (last part of para C)
- Interesting - it allows for a +/- 7% deviation in the allowable light. (para D)
It also seems to hold the tint shop accountable for the work - (last part of para C)
Also, MD does NOT hold the tint shop accountable, in fact, there are signs in the stores (usually) saying your on your own and they usually advertise they will professionally take the tint off! In fact, technically, in MD your supposed to go to the MVA and get it certified. yeah, thats on my schedule today.:impatient
