No need to remove the panels...the guy that did mine knew MINIs, so he opened the door, flipped the tumbler, and what do you know the window does its little push up haha...after the job he just flipped the tumbler back and the window went down

 

no door panels removed,
20% on rear, cal legal on roll downs,
2 hour job very happy with Llumar tint product
boxcars

 

Any tips out there in regards to tinting the rear window on a 2006 S Hatchback? I've done it several times, even using a heat gun (which got most of the bubbles out) but I'm still getting creases in the film. I've got visible 'veins' around the edges. Any advice is appreciated.

 

My tint guy did a good job on my Jag's rear window. He did not use a heat gun and did not get enough adhesion around the rear window heater element wires. So at night I get some distortion of headlights in rear view mirror. Not a big problem -you just have to get used to it. This may be a normal effect with tinting. No problem daytime. He just pushed the tint below the window seal on the side windows. I would still go to an installer rather than DIY. I plan on getting my Mini windows tinted also.

 

Your windows look really nice. Do you know what percentage they are? I'm going in the next couple of weeks to get mine done.

 

You should think about whether you want all the windows the same tint (Cal legal) or you want the rear and non-rollup windows darker. Notice some cars already tinted and what look you like best.

 

Had mine done 20% all windows with 3m tint

 

If i have scratches on my window, after tinting, will they very more or less noticable?

 

I'm sorry I don't but it isn't super dark, the black interior helps it look darker than it is when you are standing at the car

 

I was thinking of tinting my windows before my Mini arrived, yet now that I have my Mini it appears that the windows use darker glass from the factory. My windows are definitely not clear, they appear to be dark on all sides except for the front window. It's very subtle, yet not sure my Mini needs tint now.

Do the new 2008 R56's come w/ tinted glass from the factory? is this a new thing???

 

Did anyone have "mole skin" felt applied to their window jams to reduce scratching? Do all installers now use that material?

 

mine has that, didn't know it was an option, came standard (I believe). I have a July 2008 Mini S one of the last 2008's.

 

I think all cars seem to have some tint done to them already, but its built into the glass not a film that you would put on afterwards.

 

you mean all Mini's? Because not "all" cars have tinted glass windows. Most seem to not have any tint what-so-ever. I was just a little shocked (pleasantly) to notice that my Mini had tinted glass.
..yes, sorry, that's what I meant, tinted glass from the factory. (My porsche has tinted glass, yet my wife's Toyota Camry does not).

 

Most cars have roughly 5% tint built into the side glass. Enough that when you use say 50% tint (aftermarket) a tint reader will read 45%. Just keep that in mind when you tint right at the legal limit for your state.
FWIW the 5% tint is pretty hard for most people to see, but just crack the window in the sun and you'll see it. I can't remember any of my cars ever not having a slight tint. Most have it listed on the window sticker as "tinted glass" even thought it's not the "tint' that you'd think it was.

 

I think you have your numbers reversed. 50% tint only allows 50% of the light in and is basically clear compared to aftermarket.

5% is nicknamed Limo tint and is basically black. It only allows 5% of light to shine through. Most states make it legal to have 30%, but 20% (which is darker) can pass in most places

 

no need to disconnect the battery.

you just open the door, and take a flat head screw driver and flip the little latch in the door jam, and it "thinks" the door is closed, so the window goes up.

then just pull the door handle, and the latch releases, and its "open" again.