I want to get my windows tinted and am amazed at how few dealers there are here on the East Coast. I found one dealer in NY that is a 3M Prestige dealer and sells/installs 3M carbon fiber film. The cost is $295 with $45 additional for the sunroof.

Is this 3M carbon fiber film what I want?

How do I judge how dark I want it?

Can you folks post some pictures of your tinted windows and tell me what % they are? Maybe that will help.

Thank you in advance for your help.

dean.

 

never heard of carbon fiber film...

 

These two MINIs have 20% all around.





The percentage refers to the amount of light the film allows through. And don't forget to check your State's laws for maximum percentage of film.

BTW, we paid $100 for each of these MINIs but it was a club event price. Still, that price you're getting quoted is extremely high. And I don't know what carbon fiber film is either.

 

I'd say the price is about double what it should be.

 

I paid $170 for mine, I have 20% all around. I've never heard of that type of film... I think they are trying to rip you off.

-Cody

 

First thing to do, is find out what percentage of tinting your state allows!

The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:

The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.
If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.
The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

 

Here is a site .......

http://home.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/

In OH it is 50% so that is what I got with 35% on the sun roof.

 

you can find pre cut tint on Ebay for $16 to 20
Then just find a local shop to aply it or try it yourself
if you mess up its only 20 bucks

 

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the pictures and the comments.

Sam's makes no mention of carbon fiber film on his site:

http://www.samstinting.com/auto.html

...but that is what he said and it was in an email, so I did not hear him wrong. I think the high pricing may have something to do with the Lambos and Ferraris in his Gallery.

I guess I'll keep hunting. I have not found a single dealer in the state of CT. I thought tinting was common?

dean.

 

I'll tell you some information about tints from personal/known experience. I'm currently taking an OPOTA (Academy) to become a police officer in the state of Ohio, even though I have another 3 years before I am eligible. Anyway, MOST cops will not stop/bother you if you have tints unless you are acting in a certain way to attract their negative attention. Now, it is known that tints are used for several outcomes, ranging from hiding drugs/weapons to just the "look" factor, or to cool your vehicle. I personally have my tint for appearance value.

One thing to keep in mind when having tints, if you get pulled over, and you are over the legal limit, it's your fault. Most of the time they will order you a fix-it-ticket. If a police officer pulls you over, ESPECIALLY at night, expect another officer or two to come as back up. Now, that doesn't mean that you necessarily did anything to deserve the extra attention from the police, but just keep in mind it is for their safety.

Anyways, I have 20% in Ohio, legal limit is 50%, and I've been pulled over twice since having the tint, and have passed many police officers and none have said anything about it. Most police won't tend to hassle you unless you deserve it, ie. acting stupid, disrespectful, etc.

Edit* Redline, I would highly NOT recommend that. My buddy and I tried it on his mustang, and the film is cheap, and the result were, uh...rather poor. I would leave the tinting up to the professionals. Why waste $20 + dollars, when you can get a professional job for not much more? I hate seeing tinted cars with cheap tint and bubbles. Doesn't make me think very highly of the owner, or the car.

-Cody

 

In our area a lot of the detailers.....stripes, clear bras, etc do tinting as well so you might check them out. I got mine done last year at MOTD and it was a great job...we'll get our 2nd MINI done this year.

 

I'd look into ceramic tints (huber optik) as opposed to carbon fiber tints.
They're pricey but very good & only a limited number of installers are certified to install. The film is alot thicker as well. I've had both the ceramic & metallic tints and they're both effective. The ceramic imo looks better and does a better job in heat rejection & it doesn't interfere with radar detectors.

 

15% Here... Legal is 35% in Tennessee, but unless they really pick you out of the crowd for some other reason, they usually won't bother you here... and I paid $175... Just windows, no sunroof tint...

 

I got 5% and a strip for 160 bucks, 295 is way to much to pay

 

I don't have a picture, but I got 18% on Lewis and it looks pretty dark. The dark interior and small space does that. It's not legal here except that I have a prescription for it.
Keep in mind how much driving you do at night and around things you don't want to run over. It can be harder to see in low light, for obvious reasons. I personally don't have much of a problem with it, but my mom refuses to drive my cars at night.
Don't drive stupid and you won't get pulled over. But if you do, I've found and heard that your best course of action is to roll down both windows, take the key out of the igniton, put it on the dash, and keep your hands on the wheel. If they see you cooperating and not trying to hide anything, they're more likely to be nice.
That is high though - I paid $149 for the MINI. There are a ton of places around here that do it.

 

Just thought I would show my tinting. This is with 35% tinting and 65% Nebraska Road Grime. Equals 100% no visibility!!!

 

you even got a laser plate protector out of it. What a steal!!

 

Thanks for all the help folks.

The suggestion to contact detailers was a good one and I have found several detailers that tint windows. But, they all use "no name" tint and none of them inspire much confidence over the phone.

I did find another place that uses 3M film and they quoted me even more money than the first place. They also have a ceramic film which was equally expensive.

Its not so much about the money. Don't get me wrong, I can't afford to be throwing money around ...but its more important to me that the results be first rate than I save $150.

So, my search continues.

Thanks again.

dean.

 

anyone got 5% (limo) tint????

 

I have 5% all the way around to include a sun strip on the windshield on my 2004 MC40. It is not bad at all to see through as one of my friens commented. Even at night it is not bad at all. I have a job that requires some discretion and privacy. Usually when I do get pulled over the officer is understanding and drops the issue of dark tint and usually starts asking me questions about my job. It is prestige tint by 3M. I paid $160 for the job here in Georgia.

 

Thanks.

My search has pretty much come up empty. The only guy around with a sterling reputation charges about twice what I am told it should cost and I can't find anyone that is pleased with the guys that are affordable.

So, I'm still looking ...and may just end up paying more than everyone else.

Dean.

 

Now if you would not mind traveling a little ways I know a very good place in Hagerstown MD. Dr. Tint I have had them tint three cars for me and they can and will get any tint you request. They also are very fair on their prices and never once have I had to take any car back to them to redo the tint due to faulty workmanship. Below is their contact information, hope this helps.
Doctor Tint
701 Dual Highway
Hagerstown MD 21740

Local: 301.416.7927
Toll-Free: 877.540.TINT (8468)

 

reelsmith.:
He does a lot of new car dealers.
And has done all my cars.
May be close enough for you.
http://philstint.com/

 

Thanks. That's not too far at all.

Now just to decide how much tint.

Dean.

 

soo.... wut kinda job do u have that u need dark tints and lets u get away with cops???