Okay, so I'm not usually the smartest kid in the room, but I recently got me a 2009 Hot Chocolate and I went to a guy today to price out getting my windows tinted. He's basically telling me that the rear side windows and barn door windows are plastic and that, while he CAN tint them, he can't warranty them because he can't guarantee there won't be issues. Him and his assistant were tapping on all the windows and he said he's pretty sure they are plastic. Now, the passenger side rear window still has the Mini logo on it, so I'm pretty sure it's not some cheap replacement. The driver's side has the FM antenna grid, so I'm assuming the same. The rear barn doors have the defrost grids, so again I believe I'm looking at all original glass. I'm in Tampa and it's hot and sunny as all hell and I really want these things tinted. Is this guy on bath salts and completely wrong? I've searched through the forums and I have exhausted all of my Google Fu and have yet to see anything mentioning plastic windows or issues tinting Clubman windows. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated!!

 

I would find a different window tinter as the back glass on that car is tempered glass. I worked in the body shop for many years and I just had mine tinted and I can guarantee you that it’s not plastic. I also have the sunroofs tinted to reduce the light and it made a huge difference in heat. Don’t worry about the sunroof stories you’ve heard that you can’t tint them or it will ruin them, they are just one piece of solid tempered glass.

 

I think you'll like the looks of the car after the windows are tinted. I have a clubby the same color and a previous owner had all of the side windows done. It looks nice. The back barn door windows were not done though and I'm glad of that. It's hard enough to look at things when backing up.

 

I also went with the Limo reflective commercial on the sunroofs to block as much of the light possible since the sunshade is just mesh and was just right. With the shade pulled I can see the sun and look at it and not be blinded.

 

Yea, go to a different window tinter. There's no way Mini's rear windows are glass.
I have all of my windows tinted (windshield, driver's, passenger's, rear, sun roof). It makes a huge difference in the hot California sun. Even when sitting out in the sun for hours, the interior isn't too hot.

 

Plastic, I don't think so. If those guys are such idiots to think they are plastic when they are a window tint shop you need to go somewhere else as they don't know what they are talking about so I wouldn't trust them to do any work.

I would also suggest spending the extra for ceramic window tint as it blocks more of the heat out, I have it on my MINIs and by far works better.

 

Yea. How would you get defroster elements to work on plastic without melting. Morons.

 

Hey OP, where are you?

 

His post said Tampa.

 

I meant "are you coming back?"


I smell a troll!

 

Did he really say plastic? Has anyone ever used plastic for Windows? He can't tell the difference in plastic and glass by simply tapping on it? (sigh) My JCW is limo tinted 'll the way around but the windshield. I love the look, the privacy, and how cool the car stays in the brutal Texas summers. Slightly illegal but I've ran vehicles like this for 10+ years and never had any trouble.

 

sorry for the delayed response, I got busy with some family issues! I did finally get the windows tinted and they look great! The first guy I went to must have been on bath salts or something.

 

Looks good.

I also got the sunroof tinted and the windshield clear tint (forgot what its called)...live in Miami and it does a decent job keeping the car cool.