TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jun 05, 2005 3:04 pm

hey

so i thinking it's time to limo tint the windows in the van. all the rear ones that is. it all seems relatively straight forward except for the sliding window. has anyone done this? does it come apart so i can do the sliding bit? do i have to remove it?

thanks,

martin

Sun Jun 05, 2005 3:30 pm

There's no need to take the windows apart. Just tint them and leave them alone for at least 48 hours before you try to slide them open or else it will start curling off where it slides. Now on my westy I paid a glass place to remove the window behind the cabinets so I could tint it and then they reinstalled it the next day. The tint makes a world of difference 8) 8) 8) 8)

Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:34 pm

What did that run you? (1 window to remove and install).

Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:40 pm

My ignorance . does this stuff go on the outside or inside the windows ?
:shock: I guess inside but I have seen pictures of people sticking this to the outside .

Sun Jun 05, 2005 6:32 pm

the tiniting should go inside. the sliding windows have a bit of overlap. do people just not tint the bit they can't reach?

if i could tint the outside it wouldn't be a problem but i don't think that's an option.

martin

Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:09 pm

The auto glass place charged me $50.00 to remove and reinstall that piece of glass.
And yeah you only tint the parts you can reach. The slider windows and the little vent windows up front you have to negotiate with an x-acto but you barely notice when it's all done. Also don't use ammonia based cleaners on your tint when done.

Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:43 pm

I just got an estimate from a tinter on my '85 westy. The quote was $265 for 15% on every thing but the windshield. I was in my '84 that the PO had done dimestore tint on. The tinter said that his tint would be better. It was not a dyed tint but a ? tint. He said the price was a little higher because the sliders and all those little doodads that VW put through the glass.

Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:32 pm

:D if you cut the film a little long, you can push it past the little brush seal on the slider... wait for a while and cut off whatever is sticking out... :twisted: :twisted:

Mon Jun 06, 2005 7:10 am

I would just recommend getting the best film you can buy. $265.00 isn't a bad price to pay someone else to do it if you've never done it before. Like anything else there's that learning curve :o
I went with the darker tint in the back and the maximum allowable by state laws in the front two windows.

Mon Jun 06, 2005 3:43 pm

Ja! $265 a darn good price for hte amount of effort involved!

Mike!

Mon Jun 06, 2005 5:10 pm

Here in Georgia the law has been changed on tinting . I am still not sure what grade I can use but limo is definitely out :cry: . How does the law stand where you are ?

Does the tint really affect the inside temp of the van ?

Mon Jun 06, 2005 5:34 pm

Quote: Does the tint really affect the inside temp of the van ?

BIG TIME!!!! 8) 8)
Check out all the different types of tints. I chose a metallic tint that reflects practically all the UV rays. re the laws only restrict the maximum allowed on the front windows and the windshield so I could go pretty dark on all the rear windows.

Mon Jun 06, 2005 6:20 pm

How is it driving at night? I expect visibility would be noticeably reduced.

Tue Jun 07, 2005 3:30 pm

I found that the real shops with addresses and an actual clientel will give you good advice on the tint, especially the level you are allowed. Lawsuits suck.

I used 20% (I think) on my rig and visibility at night was fine. You rarely look out the rear except for headlights and those show up easily! Limo tint for my Westy closet window (since it is useless anyway).

Front windows are another matter... it is good to be able to see pedestrians (even if they are in a stupid place, it is unwise to run any over).

Mike!

Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:38 pm

:D some states..like california, do not allow you yo use reflective tint. You can go as dark as you want on anything behind the driver's seat, but you must have functional mirrors on both sides... If you decide to put something on the front, check your laws, and then forget about it.. Seeing behind you is not as important as in front. You could use a film that is more of a UV blocker than a tint. it will keep the inside cool, but won't hinder your vision... :twisted: :twisted: