[Che]

I just came across tint film for glass at the 3M website, and on ebay I can find a heap of options starting at about $5 a roll - I didn't realise it was so cheap. 3M variations start at $15 a roll and enough to completey wrap a Sierra Hardtop's glass.

Might as well give it a crack seeing the windows are coming out... has to be one of the easiest tint job going seeing all the glass is flat and small scale. Like everything, i'm guessing prep is the key to a quality job.


Just wondering on what shades are legal and what are not, infact if there's any laws regarding tint please cough them up here, i'd be most appreciative.


Any other advice? Time to get on google videos and find some demo installs

[BUZOOKA]

think the law is like anything under 10 percent on main windows is illegal (is in tassie atleast) .. ...and if u plan on doing any night time wheeling u will only want something like 35 percent so u can still see out them

[BUZOOKA]

i find it pretty simple just lightly spray the window with water (spraybotle) (obviously take side windows out makes it easier.) apply the tint .. and use a squiggly tool to move air bubbles and water out of the area between the window and the tint ..

cheers TROLLIN

[Che]

Cheers trollin.

Anyone got pics, and if so do you remember what % tint it is?

[shabz]

I know in Vic darkest is 20% - however major tinting place recommend 35%.

I've tinted a few cars myself, and its a bugger of a job. Small areas probably not so.

Heres some tips:

-use spray bottle with water and some soap.....and don't be shy.
-spray glass AND sticky side of tint before applying, you should be able to easily slide the tint around on the glass
- once on the glass spray the tint with water, and use a rubber (not plastic) squeegie

good luck!

[lukes_89]

im pretty sure you have to be able to read a business card through the tint is how the cops do it but dont know the %

[royce]

35% on all windows in qld, WA NFI

[AdsZing]

-spray bottle, squeeze of detergent and about 2 lid fulls of metho , this will help dry out any water you have have missed. and fill the remaining with water
-make sure you clean the window thoroughly
-spray window with you detergent water, place the tint vinyl, tint side down. the water will hold the tint to the window so you can pull the backing paper off
- spray adhesive side of tint and flip, work from middle out with a squeegie

[atari4x4]

lukes_89 wrote:

im pretty sure you have to be able to read a business card through the tint is how the cops do it but dont know the %

from memory it's 35% light transmission on the front windows & a free for all on the rest.

[Che]

35% is pretty farken dark - after sussing it a bit probably only want to go 20% or so. Cool... i'll give it a crack

[royce]

yeah maybe you better go a read some more, the figure is how much light has TO BE LET THROUGH 20% is darker

[atari4x4]

royce wrote:

yeah maybe you better go a read some more, the figure is how much light has TO BE LET THROUGH 20% is darker

royce is right, the higher the number the lighter it is.

[squizzytaylor]

I had mine done last week in 35% which is NSW legal, very happy with the result and if I remember Ill post a pic tomorrow, feels good on road, heaps less glare and less general cabin heat. I could have gone darker on the rear side and rear door glass but decided to keep it all uniform.

[Che]

royce wrote:

yeah maybe you better go a read some more, the figure is how much light has TO BE LET THROUGH 20% is darker

Yeah - that's wierd. Strange logic, if the range is 0 - 100% black, you'd think 100% black would be, umm, pitch black

Yeah, i'll look into it a little more. Still a couple of weeks away from actually doing it so I should get a few more clues in the meantime.

[royce]

the number refers to teh amount of light let through, tint comes in more than just black

[atari4x4]

che_guitarra wrote:

royce wrote:

yeah maybe you better go a read some more, the figure is how much light has TO BE LET THROUGH 20% is darker

Yeah - that's wierd. Strange logic, if the range is 0 - 100% black, you'd think 100% black would be, umm, pitch black

Yeah, i'll look into it a little more. Still a couple of weeks away from actually doing it so I should get a few more clues in the meantime.

no, it's perfect logic.... it's all about LIGHT TRANSMISSION.

[PJ.zook]

What percentage is limo tint? I want some for back windows of my van

[atari4x4]

PJ.zook wrote:

What percentage is limo tint? I want some for back windows of my van

something like 5% would be dark enough or you could just paint the windows.

[squizzytaylor]

photos of 35%

[shabz]

Limo tint is 5%.

some time ago here in vic the legal limit used to be 20% - and then it changed to 35% around about 2001-2002.

The reason for this is that 20% might be too dark on some cars depending on the size of the car (how much glass) and the interior colour, making it look darker than what it is.

how do i know? coz i got my car tinted 20% a week after they changed the rules, and the tinting place was nice enough to backdate the invoice a few weeks to make sure that they, and I don't have any worries if i get pulled over.

[gregdixon]

I have 5% on my Statesman and it is like black paint unless the sunroof is open. Love it no need for sunglasses. As how the cops test it, They have a laser that slides over the edge of an open window that reads how much light get transfered through so with my car only 5% get's passed through whereas 35% lets 35% of light through. I haven't had this test done on my car but it has happened to other people I know.

[MightyZ]

sorry if i'm hijacking this thread, but need advice on removing old tint. Whats the best method? any ideas?

[shabz]

MightyZ wrote:

sorry if i'm hijacking this thread, but need advice on removing old tint. Whats the best method? any ideas?

I've never tried this before but i have read it somewhere - try spraying some water on the tint, and put a plastic bag on it, it'll stick to the tint just from the water. Then park the car in the sun for a while. The sun will heat the water you've sprayed, which is trapped between the tint and the plastic bag. Apparently this softens the tint, making it easier to pull off. never tried this myself though.

Otherwise its a heat gun, a scraper/blade, and LOTS of patience!!

[alien]

i had graphics on the side of my zuk when i got it... i couldnt get it off so got a detailer to do it - he used a LOT of citric acid and a heat gun and razor... came out mint but took ages!

[lordfury007]

I am halfway through retinting my car at the moment. In the NT at least its 35% on the front windows, Free for all on the rest. (for wagons - for sedans its 35% all round)

Easiest way i removed the tinting is with a razor blade (start it peeling with the razor blade, then peel it off without the blade), then soapy water with a razor blade to clean the window up, then a quick scrub with fresh water, (use two peices of sticky tape on the corner of the tint to remove the backing paper from the tint) spray both the window and sticky side of tint with soapy water, and stick them together. Spray the non-sticky side of the window tint with water, and squeegee the water off starting from the middle. Then use a bit of plastic to keep a razor evenly from the edge and trim the tint to size. Spray soapy water on the tint again and squeegee it harder than the first time.

I still ended up with a few bits of dust under the tint, but i'm not really bothered by it. In the end i spent about $70 all up rather than $350

[Scrawny]

Qld is 35% VLT for passenger cars. Commercial vehicles are 35% for front windows then anything for the rear.
I have 5% for the rear windows in my work van. Even with a cargo barrier with dust cover and 5% tint on rear window I can still see clearly out the rear window. But even with your nose pressed against the glass from the outside you are hard pressed to make out what is in there. 35 and 20% is still pretty easy to see out of at night.