101 questions about tint!

Hi everyone. I began doing research on window tint trying to get some anwsers and came across this great site. I have a few questions that i'm hopeing a few veterens, or those with a lot more knowledge than me, can awnser. I live in Michigan and our tint law is anything on the back windows, and only the top 4" of the driver/passenger window can be tinted. Well I like to ride in privacy, therefore I have 5% on all the backs of my 94 cavalier and I had 20% on the front windows. Well i've had the tint on my front windows removed and replaced three times now (tickets). I'm on try 4 so I decided that since 20% still gets me caught I would go 5% since like I said the lighter shades aren't being left alone (if that makes since), plus I figures it would match the back windows (which by now have been on there about 1 and 3/4 years). When I had the 5% put on the front windows 2 weeks ago I was shocked at how much darker my front windows are then my back ones now, and how my front windows look black on the outside while my back windows look mirrored kinda and faded (if that makes sense too). When I got in the car the front ones had a way different appereance then the backs, the back ones look REALLY faded. So now I am unhappy. My questions are this: does the sun really destroy tint that bad over time like the guy there told me? The place I go has been doing tint for 10+ years and I think he said they use sun guard sun tech sun something or another! Also, is there anywhere that sells darker tint than 5%? I have been practicing on an old car doing tint and i'm starting to get a lot better at it, i want my windows as dark as possible! I ask these things becuase this summer i am buying a 2009 black impala SS and i want the tint job all the way around (5% or darker) to be matching and nice and dark. Nowadays when the sun is out here i can see thru one window and out the other (thru the 5% tint) easily and that bugs the heck outta me! Thanks guys for any and all replies.

While I am one here, what seems to be the concensus on the best film out there? Things like longevity, darkness, etc. Thanks.

first thing first...

If you want to get into window tinting... the FIRST thing your should be seeking out if some form of training...

2nd thing if you wanna keep getting tickets buy a full roll of 5% so you can replace it all day.

Welcome to the site, and hello from michigan too

YES, film does fade over time. Now should it fade in a year and a half? No, so the shop probably put a cheap tint on it in the first place, not a true Sun Gard or Sun Tek film. Up here in michigan, films last forever. We don't have the harsh sun like they do down south, so your first mission is to find a new tint shop that uses a true quality film.

SolarGard makes a 4% Supreme, but really it doesn't look any darker than 5. Theres a reason they only make down to 5, and thats because if you went any darker you wouldn't be able to see out of it at night, or during the day. The light has to go somewhere.

If you're from the D area I can tint it for you. I use only Lifetime films from Global and VT. any place you go to get your new car tinted the films will match. Like the other shop told you, the film has faded, which is why they look different. Believe what they say, they've been in business a long time.

Thank you for the reply! I did some research and dukes car stereo here in town (sagnasty) uses solargard (like 4 different types i think) they say it's garunteed not to fade and has a lifetime warranty. Sounds like this is where i'll be going for my next tint job. They've only been doing tint here in town at dukes for a couple years but i stopped in and seen some of there work and it looks good to me. Thanks again for the info.

How many years they've been in business does not correlate to their experience, unless its a one man show. Many times people are looking to open an accessory shop, and hire a experienced tinter from another area to do their tinting for them. So the shop could be open 6 months but have 20 years "experience" in tinting.

Thats what i was thinking, thanks. If i get nervous about going to them i could always stop at ur shop right? I travel to cedar point twice a year, once for memorial day weekend and again in august. I plan on buying my new car in late july early august, before my second trip, and the D is on the way. I could take an extra days vacation easily to stop and get my windows done.

not a true Sun Gard or Sun Tek film...............LMAO...YOUR WAY TO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!! i would think it was if it faded in a year or maybe it is

Well theres a few shops around here who advertise one thing, and put on another. Last time I checked when I do their redos, SunTek thats been on for 2 months doesn't pull off the BG with zero glue left on the glass, and doesn't turn purple in 6 months either.

Really as long as their an established shop theres nothing wrong with going to them. Of course if you wanted to stop by and have me do it I wouldn't mind, but your local shop should be fine.

You got tickets with 20% so you went darker to 5 % ???
And, you had 20% on the back windows and put 5% on the front ?
The backs at 20% are lighter than the fronts with 5%, so yeah, they are going to appear lighter.

Read it again.. He specifically said he put 5% on the BACKS and 20% on the FRONTS. But when he got a ticket he put 5% on the fronts too.

Yeah, I see that I misread it. Time to make an appointment with the eye Dr.
Haven't been in for the past 3 yrs anyway !

Same with me, its been like two years. It sucks, because even though my moms a special needs teacher and has the best insurance in the world(shes been doing it for 35+ years), since I'm a college student over 19 I don't qualify for their insurance anymore. Now I carry my own basic accident coverage in case I die pretty much, and don't have dental/eye/physical anymore. Luckily, I'm one of the people who gets sick maybe once a year.