Jump to content

Getting my car tinted

Guest Hadoken

By Guest Hadoken
in Window Tinting - General Discussion

Recommended Posts

Guest Hadoken

Guest Hadoken

Posted
Posted

My car is a black 84 Mazda RX-7 and I'm getting the windows tinted to help block some heat out of the car, but I don't want the tint to look rice or anything while I'm at it. Here are some pics of the car if needed http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/oxspeshul...m/oxspeshuledxo

The local place here has quoted me $149.99 for the 2 side windows and the rear. That seems like a pretty good price to me and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Now, for $149.99 they told me I could either get Llumar ATR-CH or Llumar Platinum Plus. The max legal in North Carolina is 35%, so that would be what I end up with. Which is the better choice? I think Platinum Plus is better at blocking heat, but I don't want it to look like my car has tinfoil on the windows..How reflective is it? The Llumar website says 18% but the number means nothing to me..

Anyone have any pics of a black car with Llumar Platinum Plus on it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 36
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Guest metint

Guest metint

Posted
Posted

Law enforcement will have you roadside occasionally, if you use PP35... they find it too reflective even though it meets the reflectivity standards of their tint law.

ATR 35 CH may bring you grief at inspection.

NC law is net 35% with 3% margin for error... glass and film must not go below 32% visible light transmission (VLT). Both films you've listed come too close to not passing given the extreme variations in glass density in different cars.

When it comes to auto tint you are doing great to have performance over 50% TSER. Keep in mind, you're driving a poorly insulated metal and glass canister. Window film is creature comfort while you occupy the car and truly is difficult for the skin to perceive minor differences in performance values.

If you truly want PP film, ask for PP 45. It is made specifically for State laws like the one NC has. Also, ATR 40 CH is available for NC installers to more easily comply with the law in that state.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Hadoken

Guest Hadoken

Posted
Posted

I haven't seen Platinum Plus on any cars, so I'm not sure how reflective it is, I hate it when a car looks like it has mirrors for windows..So I have a feeling PP may be too reflective for my liking.

I forgot to mention that in the email the place I'm getting it tinted said that to meet the laws they would use 40% for the ATR-CH and 45% for the Platinum Plus so between it and my windows it wouldn't go over the legal limit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Hadoken

Guest Hadoken

Posted
Posted

Sorry about the double post, but I can't find the EDIT button.

The reason I'm wanting tint to block some heat, is because my air conditioner is poorly matched with the car. The A/C in older RX-7s just doesn't get cold enough to cancel out the heat from the big back hatch.

A guy I know with a car like mine said he always had the A/C all the way up until he got window tint and now he can turn it down.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TinterforLife

TinterforLife

Posted
Posted

Go with the Charcoal.The Platinum Plus will pick up a greenish hue to it on some vehicles which looks hideous IMO.It might not since you are going with such a light number but it isn't worth the risk when the charcoal will look good for sure.

I would maybe ask the tinter some questions on your rear window to make sure he plans on doing a proper job.Those cars are kind of a pain.Not from a shrinking stand point but the hardware.

I take the glass completely out.I make nice perfect circles around where the struts go,and the hinges at the the top of the window.It also has an open frame back window.So make sure it has a nice tight border around all four edges.

The rest of the car is a breeze.

Good Luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest Hadoken

Guest Hadoken

Posted
Posted

I think the company is trustworthy on doing a good job, so I hope they will do it the right way.

The reason I think they're trustworthy is they have tinted windows in several sky scrapers in the area. They do houses and buildings as well as cars.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest tintgod

Guest tintgod

Posted
Posted
Auto is completely different than flat...Just because they can tint a skyscraper with flat windows don't mean jack as far as tinting a car.  :beer

:trustme:bingo

by the way..I hate fukking tinting those cars... :beer ..no offense..

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sisqouc

Sisqouc

Posted
Posted

Many times the hardware on that car is already loosened up/stripped or really damn tight. The rubber/plastic pieces that APPEAR to be "washers" are actually acting as bushings...I.e. preventing the bolts holding the struts&hinges from contacting the glass both on the surface and through the glass. If the hardare ain't put back right, and compleate, you could later break your glass on closing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest BCCwintint

Guest BCCwintint

Posted
Posted
Law enforcement will have you roadside occasionally, if you use PP35... they find it too reflective even though it meets the reflectivity standards of their tint law.

ATR 35 CH may bring you grief at inspection.

NC law is net 35% with 3% margin for error... glass and film must not go below 32% visible light transmission (VLT). Both films you've listed come too close to not passing given the extreme variations in glass density in different cars.

When it comes to auto tint you are doing great to have performance over 50% TSER. Keep in mind, you're driving a poorly insulated metal and glass canister. Window film is creature comfort while you occupy the car and truly is difficult for the skin to perceive minor differences in performance values.

If you truly want PP film, ask for PP 45. It is made specifically for State laws like the one NC has. Also, ATR 40 CH is available for NC installers to more easily comply with the law in that state.

The law is similar in Oregon, so CP just started shipping ATR 40 CH out here. I love this film. Legal and looks sweet! :beer

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  •   Sponsored by
    tintwiz

    auto-precut.com

    signwarehouse

    martinmetalwork.com

    tinttek

    filmvinyldesigns

    ride wrap

    Conco

    Lexen

  • Activity Stream

    1. 0

      Commercial Residential Window Tinter Needed - Colorado

      We need commercial/residential window film installer. 303-986-0190 info@columbinewindowtint.com
      cwtColo in Classifieds • Employment • Marketplace
    2. 7

      Removable rigid window tint sheets - WTF?

      I created an account just to respond here. I'm not a "tinter" or whatever yall may call yourselves but I came across this product and thought that it looked pretty cool and something I could do myself. I ordered from Lazeway and spent like $150 for two packages. The product is from China although they claim all this America stuff on the website. All i received was two simple rolls of tint, nothing special. I was totally scammed and now I'm looking all over the internet for anyone talking about this product to let them know. Dont buy from them.
      Mario L in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    3. 7

      Air80 vs Stratos70 Windshield

      Since there is no limit of darkness on the top strip, I have wanted to tint it. But I would go very dark, to help with sun glare in the evening.
      mikenot in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    4. 7

      Air80 vs Stratos70 Windshield

      Yeah that’s a very fair point to a degree I’m probably overthinking it. I don’t see really significant glare reduction until you get into much darker tint. Like you I think visibility for me is more important living in the country. I’ll probably see what the specs list the differences between 70% and 80% and then double check with the tinter as to what they recommend. Likely will end up with 70% with a strip along the top. Air80 seems to be much more popular, not sure if it’s due to performance or the difference in cost being so much more for the stratos. thank you
      joshiemcduck in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    5. 0

      Process

      Hey guys - so I work for a vinyl graphics company that is adding window tinting to their repertoire and I had a question about your guys' ideal process. I have my plotter set up and my window tinting software ready to go, but I am completely ignorant about the way that tint installers prefer that things be cut. Currently, I will plot/weed the tint and cut the backing away as much as I dare before handing it over to the installer. I was thinking that the installer would prefer the tint to be cut to shape which I believe I can achieve with the perf cut on my plotter. Is that the typical process or should I not be worried so much about it being cut to exact shape?
      DonMeads in Plotters and Cutting Systems
    6. 7

      Air80 vs Stratos70 Windshield

      Im in TX, plenty of of what you mentioned. While I do sit higher in an SUV, glare reduction is not improved much at all with what I have. My 80% is almost clear, not dark at all. With all tint, it adds a bit of reflectivity from the outside, which I notice makes it slightly harder to see from the outside looking in, in the form of a glare not darkness. At the end of the day, it's not permanent, it's only money!
      mikenot in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    7. 0

      PPF installer for hire in SoCAL

      Hello. My name is Adrian i have good experience with paint protection film and i just moved to California, Irvine, i'm open to travel one hour away for the right job. You can contact me at 5717330693
      adrianpaun in Classifieds • Employment • Marketplace
    8. 11

      Boat window tinting tips

      or "bust out another thousand"
      TintDude in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    9. 11

      Boat window tinting tips

      Best tip would be, “Sorry, no boats”.
      pbalentine in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    10. 11

      Boat window tinting tips

      The answer is to not heat that area too much so that you leave some slack in the film for when you get it to the inside. Also cut your pattern a little large so that you can trim a thread off the edges after shrinking to not have a furled edge. After you do a few of those you'll figure out how much to leave/trim to not have any light gaps. Also I'll leave a hardcard wrapped in a microfiber in the bottom overnight to collect water and keep pressure on the film while it dries. Sometimes you can take the top rail off the glass if the jackwagon boat builder didn't put too much pressure on the glass package when it was installed. If you pull the rail off of a tight package it's a pita to get back on, looking like it could crack the whole time. Congrats on getting it done. I've seen plenty that couldn't, which is why I price them like I do.
      Dano in Window Tinting - General Discussion
×
×
  • Create New...