I am a complete beginner when it comes to window tints. What should I look for as far as getting them? How dark? Advantages/disadvantages to getting tints? Estimate price?

Any help you can be would be great.

 

While I know there are many, many folks on this forum who have much more experience than I re: window tinting, my first suggestion is to visit the Deleware Department of Transportation website to see what Deleware state law allows re: window tinting. After that, it comes down to what you want to tint, i.e. sunroof(s), side windows, & rear window(s). I just paid $120 to have my sunroofs tinted. So far, I am satisfied and am planning to have the side/back windows in my Clubman tintied later in May.

 

This site reports what the law allows. Keep in mind that the windows already have some degree of tinting, so if you apply a 70% tint you are foul of John Law.

Of course deciding to adhere to the law is a choice only you can make. But it is a bummer when you get a ticket and have to remove it on the spot.

 

Find out if they offer a lifetime warranty and remember there is no need to take off the door panels to do it. Most people prefer either LLumar tint (myself) or Huber Optik (ceramic and more expensive IIRC). I am not sure if you listen to AM radio but Huber Optik does not affect the AM radio and to be honest my LLumar hasn't either.

You should consider tinting your sunroof if you have one - I like 5% (called limo tint) on the sunroof b/c you can see out of it but it doesn't bake your car or head. Also if less light is coming in the sunroof the interior will look darker. You have the piano black interior and dark seats so the tint will look darker on your car vs. a car with a light beige interior.

If I were you, I'd take a look at 20% (which means 80% of light gets in) or 35% but I had 35% on a car once and did not like it).

Here in NY by law we can not go darker than 35% on the front two windows but that is rarely enforced so you might want to check into your local laws. In NJ, you can not tint the front windows at all.

Also make sure you get a price either including or excluding the front windshield strip (if you want it). They can cut it straight across the windshield (see my gallery) or just use the natural curvature of the windshield...the problem with that is our windshields are curved so much that it is down on the edges of the windshield but really high in the middle.

The advantage of tinted windows is it makes it easier to drive in the sun, cooler in the summer, improves aesthetics, and harder to see inside. It also cuts down on the glare from headlights in your rear view mirror...I don't have to ever touch the rearview mirror.

the disadvantages to tinted windows is that you will never be able to drive a car again without them. You'll feel naked......(kind of when I don't have my radar detector with me!)

Edit: 2 people posted by the time I finished this....

I paid $285 for my tints. If you go darker than the law provides the ticket you receive is a violation - at least in NY you don't have to pull it off on the spot (which leaves it sticky and is horrible in the summer) but you have to

a) go to court and pay fine
or
b) have a police officer sign off that you made the correction and bring it to the county clerk....same as when you have a headlight out.

 

Did you go with a 5% tint on the sunroof? If so, how does it look from the inside? Do you see any sky at all?

 

these are the delaware laws.....

Front Side Windows Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Back Side Windows Any darkness can be used.
Rear Window Any darkness can be used.

What does the Front Side Windows allow.... 70%, does that mean I could get a 30% tint job?

sorry i'm a total noob when it comes to tints.

 

oh and thank you all for your help so far.

 

Yes that is what it means. In NY I was pulled over several times with my Honda that was tinted. The first few times they said to fix it but didn't give me a ticket. The last time I got a ticket and they would not go for the fix it ticket thing. I called and asked I drove out there and had them inspect and they said I still had to pay the fine. I think it was $75. Remember it is a reason for them to pull you over when it is late and you may have had a drink. I am not condoning driving drunk, but if they can smell it at all they are going to check and that is quite a hassle even if you are fine.

I am not saying to not have it done, but think about the levels so you don't get hassled for it.

 

I have 35% on everything with an all black interior (black cloth seats, PB interior surface, gotham gray color line)... LOVE it.

And yes, that's exactly what it means. Nothing wrong with being a n00b, that's how we learn.

 

No - the percentage rating for tint is *not* how much light it blocks - it's how much it lets through. That's why 5% tint is often referred to as "limo tint" - it only allows 5% of the visible light through.

Since Delaware requires that the front windows must pass at least 70% of visible light, that means that your tint's rating must be 70% or greater. Actually, even 70% tint wouldn't be legal, because the combination of the tint film and the tint that's already in the factory glass would block more than 70%, so you'd have to go with 80% (probably still too dark), 90% (possibly still too dark) or a visibly-clear tint that would still block infrared and UV light.

 

35 is by far the best look IMO! I fully plan on the same.

And as far as state laws go, We have to have 50 here in ohio and, sure the cops can pull you over for it but its very unlikely. 5-20 percent (when they cannot see the person inside) is when they get on you, from my experiences..

 

I have Huper Optik Ceramic 30 and love it. It would be illegal for your front windows though. If you have to keep 70%, you might as well not tint the fronts at all.

 

I always thought it was the other way around... but he's right. I fact checked him with wikipedia.

 

Thanks! I love my tint. It's nice and dark and with the dark interior... you cannot see inside the car from outside because there's nothing in there to see. It's all black. But this neat visual effect only works if I leave nothing in the car. Otherwise, items left in the car can be seen from the outside. I just make sure there's nothing in there.

Ultimate theft deterrent: Don't leave stuff in your car. If there's nothing in the car, there's nothing for them to take.

 

5% on the sunroof works wonders. You can still see sky (even at night), but combined with the mesh it makes hot Atlanta sunny day driving pleasant and takes away the distraction from extremely bright sunlight coming through the roof.

I'm a Llumar film fan myself - had it on all my cars, but I'm a bit impartial since I'm part owner of a local tint shop and get all the stuff done for free :P

 

I don't think he'll be happy with 35% on everything....at least I wouldn't. Your best bet would be to find a Mini tinted near you so you can see it for yourself. Keep in mind when it rains it will also appear darker.

 

Get a perforated roof graphic for your sunroof! That will help block the sun plus you can express your individuality and love of your MINI! Tint the rest of your car though, by all means...

 

so if I wanted to be a decent law abiding citizen.... "if" .... I could get the back windows as dark as a want, but the fronts I basically cannont touch?

if I have that correct.... that sucks big nuts.

 

depending on the state, yes.. some have certain percentages on all/rear/even front

http://www.tintdude.com/laws.html

 

Most police officers have better things to do than pull you over for tint. However, if you are being an ********* to them, they could bust your chops. To be honest, most of them don't even carry around the tint meter anyway. I don't think it should stop you from tinting your car!

 

All my cars have been tinted, save my first (81 datsun 210b in mustard) and i've only gotten a ticket once. I got pulled over because i was driving like a jerk. Even minor speeding tix I havne't gotten a "fix-it" ticket for the windows. The choice is up to you though, for me, the more violations (ie, no plate, driving like a jerk) will increase your chance. Even then, removal is easy and some tint shops have specials for removal and replacement after you get your tix signed off.

i like 15s in the back and even though my fronts are technically illegal, i have 35s on them, anything darker attracts too much attention IMO. I have 5% behind the visor for the front

 

in todays economy, so many of these small townships, even big cities across the country are really hurting for cash, through government waste. so the easiest way to get some quick cash, is to go on a ticketing blitz. its easier than raising taxes.

anyhow, i got 35% on all windows and 20% on the sunroof. 3M brand. paid 350 with lifetime warranty and 1 piece tint for the rear window. And although you dont have to take the door panel off to put the tint on, i recommend you do. when i had mine put on, the front driver started peeling at the bottom edge and had to be redone twice. the last time they took the door panel off so that the could lay the tint down further.

 

This is what the owner of "Eclipse Tinting" in Buffalo, NY told me... In NY, it's illegal to have any tint on your windows at all, unless your car is an SUV or a crossover, the laws are a little different. On a sedan or a coupe, the legal limit is 35% (which is on the windows from the factory). Cops can't measure windows that don't roll down, so you can do whatever you want with the 3 rear windows on the MINI, and the other two are up to you, depending on the chance you're willing to take.

I got 5% on the rear 3 and 10% or 15% (I can't remember, but they're not too far off from the 5%) on the front (I didn't get the sunroof tinted, I didn't really see a point to it, in my opinion the screen makes everything just as dark, and with it tinted, you wouldn't see anything). I think it looks great, and it cost me $130+tax, and a lifetime warranty as long as I don't use window cleaner with ammonia.

I've been pulled over twice for speeding since I got the tints, but I have yet to have any cop mention the windows being too dark. As long as you're not a jerk to them, I think most of them have better things to do than write you a ticket for that. NY is pretty strict on most traffic laws, but tinting has never really been a problem with me or any one I know.

Go for it!

Makes your MINI look so much better.

 

I just got mine done.. 15% ceramic all around
before:

after:

 

20% 3M Color Stable. Pics taken at approximately the same time of day in the same location.

Before:


After: