i want tints on my MCS but i want to know that i can get rid of them at any time. how easy is it to remove tints? is it expensive? could it cause any potential damage to the car?

 

It's a PITA. Also, its an even bigger PITA when doing a rear window because of the defroster elements that can be ruined. Removing tint isn't something I'd want to do unless the tint has faded or has started to peel.

 

If you want a simple/removable alternative to tinting, go with the Removal Sun Shades sold by dealerships and Mini parts shops. They're made of the same material as the sun shade for the sun roof and are easy to install and remove if you want to. I went with this alternative rather than tinting and couldn't be more pleased, although it is only for the rear windows and hatch.

 

thats a very good recommendation, but im doing it more for looks than actual sun blockage. thanks

 

If it's not too much trouble do you think you could post some pics of them in your car? I can't quite picture it myself and don't think I've ever seen that!

I'm thinking about tinting all 6 (or 7) windows and just going through all the possible scenarios definitely helps the decision-making process.

 

I will as soon as I can. I've only had my MCS for 2 weeks now and I can't take the time to take pictures of it as I'm too busy driving it and then explaining to people why I have this huge satisfied grin on my face.

However I can tell you that even from a short distance on the outside, the Sun Shades look like tinting. Only when you get up really close to the car can you notice that it's the same mesh material as the sun roof retractable sun shade.

From inside the car looking to the back from the rearview mirror, everything is clear and visibility is only slightly affected.

The only issue is because they fit only in the rear windows and hatch window, it doesn't provide a uniform look for the whole car and all the windows/windshield.

 

Thanks Cyclism.

 

Yes you don't want to take tint off. There is special poxy you can use to help get the glue off but it's a serious hassle. I know b/c I've been pulled over in cars and had to pull the tint off not realizing that when I lowered the window w/ the glue still on it the glue got stuck in the track of the window and it would not rise w/o taking off the door panel.....the back window like posted above is difficult b/c of the defroster....if you accidentally cut it w/ the razor then you lose your defrost ability for that strip.

Check your local laws....I know NJ doesn't allow front windows to be tinted at all and NY allows anything on the back window and rear windows but the drivers and passengers sides are allowed 35% on them as long as you have two side view mirrors. I live in NY where they are usually pretty lax so I plan on tinting at 15% all around including sunroof when I get my car. My dad has an 06 MC and we did 20% all around including sunroof which looked a little light....it all depends on the color of the interior and the curvature of the windows (esp the back window)....the closer to perpendicular to the ground the less light you will actually see from behind.

just make sure whoever is doing it knows what they are doing so it does not bubble and look for lumar tint....it's top notch.

Good Luck!

 

you can always use some acetone

 

Stripes and roof graphics are all I would recommend for the install-then-change-your-mind crowd.

 

I used to work as a car detailer for a big dealership around here. I have taken tints off of several cars, all three needed new rear window defrosters. The side windows are easy enough, little solvent, razor blade and roberts your fathers brother, but the rear window, forget it, its not worth the expense to have it fixed/replaced for the damage to the defroster.

 

Or an officer of law nicely requests it's removal.

Bill

 

With some vinegar & a heat gun it's relatively easy to remove. As long as you keep the tint legal eg. 35% you should never have to remove it, some states don't allow the front windows to be tinted at all, but even then you'd only have to remove those.

If you're going to tint your windows on a nice new car like your Mini, get it done professionally & don't opt for the cheap stuff, a good tint won't turn purple after a few years & need to be removed like the crap from Schucks or Pepboys It shouldn't cost much more then ~$200 to get your Mini done. The only trouble w/ getting it done is that you shouldn't open/close your windows for a few days, but the Mini moves them a bit every time you open/close the door, I ended up w/ a very small bubble that way.

 

Removal is easy, if you use the correct method. The back window is the b!tch here. The sides come right off if you get a corner started and peel. The glue isnt that hard to deal with if you are patient. Use a good quality glass cleaner, and just spray it all over the glass, soaking the glue. At this point, let it sit for 30-40 seconds, then start with a clean razor blade and it comes right off. Work slow and wipe your blade frequently onto a paper towel. You will need to respray the glass several times to complete the job, but it has worked for me many times.

I used to drive a mini-truck, and was always getting popped with the tint removal fix-it ticket.

As for the back windows, it's legal, and you should never have to remove it if you get high quality tint installed. Get Lumar or 3M films applied and it will last forever.

My Honda has Lumar tint film. It is now 10 years old and looks like new.

 

Are these actual MINI made parts? Anywhere I can find them online?

 

mf44:

Yes, they are actually made by and for Mini, and they fit the windows perfectly. I got mine from the dealership from the Accessories catalogue. Cost me $100CDN for the whole set, but that was a discount price that I worked out with my SA. Ordinary retail is $200 for the set. There are actual tags on the sun shades with the Mini logo.

They're also available from outmotoring.com:

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...ow-shades.html

Although the picture on the webcatalogue doesn't do it justice. Mine are completely flush to the window sills with no gaps at all, and like I said, from the outside they look like tinting.

 

That's cool. Thanks Cyclism!

 

removing tint was probably the worst automotive experience of my life. Next to removing sound buffing material from my CIVIC.

I help remove the tints from a 91 GTI 16v....i will never do that again.

 

I had to remove tint from my sister in-laws 88 Camry, when my brother in-law gave her his car from texas. I guess in Houston people tint the windows really dark. In NJ she couldn't pass inspection. So I bought a special scraper, peeled and peeled and peeled, then we removed the residue with 3m adheasive remover. Not easy, but not the worst job I've ever had to do on a car.

Would it stop me from getting tint, Nope...

 

Here's a question, why do people pluralize the word "tint" when talking about window tinting?