Curtains or Window Tint - pluses and Minuses

[petergariepy]

Any feedback on the benefits of curtains vs window tint?

I like the blackout look and its maintenance free.

Curtains allow light in, but is it a big deal?

This is for a Westfalia btw.

Love to hear feedback.
_________________
Peter Gariepy
Webmaster
Click to view image

[Red Ryder]

[MarkWard]

Both.
_________________
☮️

[Zeitgeist 13]

This ^

False dichotomy.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[jimf909]

I truly dislike dark tint because I want the inside of the van to be as bright as possible with the least interference to the view outside. If it's cold or rainy and the van needs to be closed I still want to see outside. Based on comments over time this opinion is part of a tiny minority. If I could live in a glass house I would.

If you like the blackout look, don't mind reducing the light inside, want some privacy and want it darker for sleeping then you need both tint and curtains.

_________________
- Jim

[SCM]

I have both. And my tint is super dark. I love the look of the van from outside but would still remove tint if not for the hassle of pulling out my closet to do so. All for the reasons Jim mentioned/
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[skills@eurocarsplus]

if you wanted to try both you can get window tint that you can apply on the outside of the glass. pretty handy if you have a camper
_________________

[pemz0r]

I have limo tint and I carry around those suction cup curtain things, which are awesome for blacking out and keeping the van cool/heat depending on the season. I do have a Tin Top, so no mounting for curtains.

Looks like you are in Arizona, so the tint, might keep the van cooler and block some UV..

[bobbyblack]

I want an option with the Ceramic type that is very light. I got some that doesn't seem too dark, and does have very good heat reduction. That is as important to me as the curtains.

I live in a state that does not allow any tints other than Factory on the forward windows and windshield. But, I find that I really really WANT an almost 0% reduction of light, but the ceramic heat rejection magic. If a 95 (meaning 95% of light allowed) existed, I think I might be tempted to break my state law.

My tint guy said he couldn't find such a thing. Lowest he has is 70. I'd have to dig up my old posts on mine, I think it is something like 67 including the factory tint amount. I can barely tell the difference personally, in the looking out perspective, seems plenty light inside too.

My next bus will be darker tinted, I just have to get a whole slew of things done before I get to that part of the to-do jobs list.
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Vanuber]

I had my turn with tint in high school and college and today I just find it cheapens the look of the car. My vote is keep it looking classic with no tint or with clear ceramic tint for heat/UV reduction and go with the curtains for privacy. Tint also scratches over time. Definitely go with high quality ceramic tint that won’t fade or turn purple if you go that route.

Here's an opinion article from Lucas at Go Westy for whatever that is worth: https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=66
_________________
'85 Westfalia 1.9L
'72 BMW R75/5
'71 BMW R75/5
'02 Subaru Forester 2.5L

[MCM73]

I have an '84 Westy. I got mine tinted & love it. I chose 15%. If I had to do it again I would go 5%. I still have the original curtains. I like both. I went for ceramic tint. No regrets. I'm sure some will opt for an unmolested look & staying more true to the original look. I respect that but have Zero regrets. I love it & it looks great. I paid I think around $750. I got one quote for I think $2200. What a joke. I think that was an I dont want to do it price. I'll get a couple pics & post them.

[Jake de Villiers]

We use the curtains either alone or in conjunction with homemade Reflectix shields when we're camped in some baking hot bluegrass field.
In the low light coastal rainforest its often nice to be able to see the birds, etc, clearly.
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com

[RGS Paul]

Both. Curtains for privacy (you can probably see through even limo tint if it's bright in the van and dark outside) and tint for thermal management. Even a relatively modest tint substantially knocked down the temperatures in our 7-passenger and made things more comfortable.

Paul
_________________
'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

[Ahwahnee]

I see the OP is in AZ. If that is in the part that gets intense sunshine (most of the state population-wise) then I think a high-end tint will help a lot in keeping the inside temperature comfortable for year-around use. I don't think the A/C could keep up if I didn't have that 3M Crystalline.

Curtains for the evening & privacy of course and also for warmth when needed.

The look is 'tinted' but not limo dark:

[kiltedhiker]

Ceramic Limo Tint. Need it to drop temp and allow AC to work.

_________________
1989 Syncro Westfalia (bought new) sold
1990 Syncro Westfalia sold
1990 Syncro TinTop

[dobryan]

I have 35% on all rear windows and 70% on the front doors. 3M ceramic. Excellent heat block and does not really affect the view to the outside. We use the curtains for privacy when camped too.
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[MCM73]

Here are a couple pics. It's 15% ceramic.

[Selsk]

I think it depends on your location. Arizona? Definitely tint it. Personally, I like the stock look of an untinted vehicle. But the PO limo tinted the van and I am glad he did. Makes it nice and private inside.

[petergariepy]

[SCM]