When did you go into business? (date on business lic.)

I got so worked up over this unfortunate development that I did alot of research in advance, should some of you need it. After researching the law in NY, it occured to me that alot of you haven't got a leg to stand on legally. These statutes were enacted in 1991, and went into effect as of Jan 1, 1992. SO, unless you were in business PRIOR to Jan 1, 1992, these laws should come as no suprise. If you opened up shop and applied !llegal film after that date, you did so knowing full well that you were engaged in !llegal activity. You cannot elicit sympathy because they changed the laws after you were in business. You KNEW or should have known what the laws were when you opened your shop, and made the descision to go ahead with business under the existing laws. The fact that only 70% is legal is immaterial. It was up to you to decide whether or not you could make a living under those laws/conditions.
I can understand those who were in business when the laws were changed crying the blues, but anyone who went into this business after 1/1/92 knowing what they were getting into have just been shot out of the saddle.
Some of us have a legitimate gripe. The laws were one thing when we went into business, and then the powers that be changed them on us. That had a huge impact on our livelyhoods. We then had to decide whether or not to abide by the new laws. If you went into business after the fact, quit crying, you knew what you were getting into beforehand.

"We then had to decide whether or not to abide by the new laws."

According to the law there was no decision to make, except to move to your business if you found it too hard to make a living.

After smoking bans restaurants don't have a decision to make they obey the law or move their business where smoking is legal.

Your actions speak louder then your words.

We ALWAYS have choices. Some of us complied with the new laws, some didn't. Where did you get the impression that "my actions" were less? I have always promoted legal tint. Like almost everyone else, sure, I have done my share of dark film. But we are talking over 30 years ago. I got older, and believe it or not, wiser. I do not do !llegal window tint, and haven't done so in recent m,emory.

damn i am so happy i moved to florida

Listen N.Y tinters are not " Crying" we are just stuck in a bad situation.You guys from georgia and florida for the most part dont understand.I started my business in 1989 before the laws changed but I dont think that matters.If tommorow florida decided to change the law to 70% maybe you would understand.But I have a feeling you would still see tint shops opening up everywhere.70% means basically no tint at all.So according to your theory no tint shops should have opened after 1992, come on now.They dont want tint at all in N.Y. so that means there should be no tint shops at all in N.Y but there are hundreds if not thousands.I am not condoning tinting 5% by any means,I know myself and all the tint shops in my area wont go near the stuff, but here even 50% is !llegal.We try our best to talk people into 70% but 99% of them think it is to light.Like said in another post some mercedes come factory with 68% on the front windows so if a cop wanted to bust balls he could give all of them a ticket by law! That is just crazy.Even if we do 70% on that car it would still be !llegal.Dont forget to in the early days 1992-2002 most of us tinters,Or anyone else for that matter, didnt even know they changed the law because they didnt enforce it at all.Now all of a sudden it is a big deal. Just put yourself in our shoes and you may have a different opinion about the whole thing. We are not looking for sympathy just other tinters to vent to.

f^%$ 70% I feel for you guys in NY. I think it would be in the best intrest to the state of NY to allow darker films. 1- it will generate more revenue and taxes on sales alone. 2- what does it really hurt?

I'm moving this thread to the tint laws section....

70% is a RAW deal for customers and tinters for sure..but Illlegal IS Illlegal


I don't know what I would do if I was in that situation ..I cant really say because I'm not in your shoes ..thankfully

we have 70% in the UK - it sucks ass!

New Yorks window tinting leader has been tinting since 81 and Inc since 89.. I get return on my investment 365 days... getting better every year ..I only market to high end clients and as horrilbe the current law is a real money maker for the state... NYS has been a good customer over the years they need tint to.

tuff topic

PA is no better, 70% all around. I feel your pain

at least you can out tint on the front rollups. Michigan doesnt even let us look at the fronts, let alone putting it on... unless of course the customer would like a 5% strip of tint 4 inches from the top of the glass. it looks as hideous as it sounds.... people dont want that. they want the sun, glare, or whatever off them, and they want to have a classy looking ride. I think MI (NY, PA etc) should loosen up the laws. or change them around. MI says you can spray paint for rear windows for all they care, but, nothing on the front windows. I agree that it would help the economy too allow darker fil on the fronts (35 or 40). I think MI should make stricter rear window laws, such as 20% or 25%. we have hot days, but nothing like florida. many more people will follow the law, and many many more will consider buying tint if the law allows them to have their car tinted more their way.



doesnt mean it will happen... but who knows. when granholm gets out of office, maybe the Michigan economy will turn around from this mess our super awesome governor has gotten us into.

NYS law is 70% Glass and film combined on the sides of a passenger car. No tinting of the side windows! period end of story!

I believe it's the same for us here too 70% net. Even with a medical exemption only clear film is allowed

I feel for you, too. Tinting in Rhode Island sucks! It's 70% VLT MAX ... so if you put some 70% you're already over the limit.. :(

In NY you rarely have to worry as long as the police can see through the window, very few cops are running around with light meters.

NJ is the place I feel bad for, your car wont pass inspection, and can not be bought or sold with tint on front windows.

That being said I cant believe anyone would question legality and business with regards to automotive modifying (which tint is). I mean how many things mechanics do break laws, how many auto part add ons (i.e. chips, performance mufflers, intakes, etc. etc. etc. break laws), would you suggest no one sell, it's up to the customer to decide how he's using his vehicle. Also are you saying you never drive above the speed limit, and always cross on the green and not in between, my point being is many people define the law themselves when they feel it infringes on our liberties.

The problem there is it doesnt matter how "people" define the law, if the man wants to come down on you, it's how the man defines the law, and right now a lot of installers can get in some for installing a 70 vlt....

No doubt, by my point really is why, do they go after the muffler shop installing the after market exhaust or the vendor selling it, or HIDs (etc.,etc.) no, why because they put it in the customers hand with a disclaimer that this is for off road use (etc. etc.). Should be handled the same way.

Also that it sucks worse in NJ, because of how they enforce the law.

I agree, your in between state, CT has a pretty decent law, 35 sides, any on the b/g. I used to ride down to englishtown, you could always tell the jersey cars before seeing a plate cause there was nothing on the 2 front doors....CT is the same though, you get pulled over, most of the time you get a fix it ticket, they could fine you, $176 I believe, but then you have 20 days to go through insp. or they suspend your reg.

as far as tint laws go in NY, i came into this bus. six years ago with a boss who would put anything on anything. i was just an installer, and never in my life have i heard people talk about tint laws the way most of you guys do. i grew as a tinter thinkin if a custy wants it, put it on. most of you dumped on me a lot because of that. in my entire career i have NEVER seen a car with 70% on it. i have also never had a custy get a ticket ($55) for having 50% on the front doors. even the black c class benz i did in 15% and 35% on the windshield never got a ticket. he was stopped twice at seatbelt checkpoints and let go both times w/o even getting a warning. (i stripped the windshield when he gave the car to his wife.) if the police dont enforce the law then i dont see why everyone is up in arms about not doing anything darker than 70%. ive had !llegal tint on my car since i started tinting. suntek HP15% all around and HAD HP50% blue on the windshield when i was pulled over for doing 80mph in a 55 zone. the cop wrote me a tint ticket instead of speeding, and my lawyer got the ticket thrown out. that is my only exp. with police and !llegal tint. since joining the forum i have changed my thinkin a little bit but im sure not enough for some of you. im just stating my experience, dont need anyone blasting me for this reply.

I learned the same way, noone where I worked cared about legal not legal, 5%, or 50%. Just get the car in get the money call it a day. Now I still break the rules, I advise everyone whats legal whats not, your choice, sign a waiver, (admission of guilt, I know) but I have my limits. I turned a guy away today that wanted his windshield done in 35. Thats just not safe, but 20 on your front doors still helps me feed my family..