Window Tinting

[Jeff]

I am gonna try to tint the windows in the minivan myself sometime soon. Has anyone here done it before? I can actually remove all the side windows so it should be easy to make them look professional. My questions are...

1. How dark can I go in VA?
2. How do I get coverage on the rear window? The film is not tall enough to do it with one piece, how do I make it look professional?
3. Is any particular brand better? Or just whatever is at autozone?

Any other comments would be great!

[white_2kgt]

If it is your first time, it will look like shit, autozone tint is not equal to the tint a GOOD tint shop uses, it is thin, doesn't stick well and will turn colors after time. Just do yourself a favor and take it somewhere.

[Jeff]

If it is your first time, it will look like shit, autozone tint is not equal to the tint a GOOD tint shop uses, it is thin, doesn't stick well and will turn colors after time. Just do yourself a favor and take it somewhere.

I dunno, a lot of my "first time" tries on things turn out pretty good. I know how it is done and I have helped with it once before, but never been the one doing it. If nothing else I RTFM and I live by it. As far as the tint not being of the same quality I kinda figured that much. I just don't have the $150-$250 its gonna take to get the whole thing tinted. I wonder if there is some online place that sells pro-grade supplies at a manageable retail price?

[CaptainHenreh]

1. How dark can I go in VA?

OMG, dude:

Search.

We've been over the tint % question like, a dozen times.

[Feersty]

My buddy has a Nissan Pathfinder, and has 10% on the front windows and 5%(limo on all th rear windows(five of em) and has never been pulled.

[HAULN-SS]

im pretty sure on vans you can go as dark as you want - I know you can on full size vans like you see construction workers driving sometimes.

[CaptainHenreh]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-1052">http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... +46.2-1052</a><!-- m -->

Your answers are there.

C. Except as provided in § 46.2-1053, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, no sun-shading or tinting film may be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such motor vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of the vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the sun-shading or tinting film is applied or affixed in accordance with the following:

1. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than 35 percent;

2. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the front side windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce total light transmittance of such window to less than 50 percent;

3. No sun-shading or tinting films shall be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle that (i) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent or (ii) produce a holographic or prism effect.

Any person who operates a motor vehicle on the highways of this Commonwealth with sun-shading or tinting films that (i) have a total light transmittance less than that required by subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a traffic infraction but shall not be awarded any demerit points by the Commissioner for the violation.

Any person or firm who applies or affixes to the windows of any motor vehicle in Virginia sun-shading or tinting films that (i) reduce the light transmittance to levels less than that allowed in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense.

[white_2kgt]

My buddy has a Nissan Pathfinder, and has 10% on the front windows and 5%(limo on all th rear windows(five of em) and has never been pulled.

I was pulled over twice in VA for tint in 1 month, and I don't drive in VA that often anymore! Once was on the way down to an MM car show, lol

[Feersty]

My buddy has a Nissan Pathfinder, and has 10% on the front windows and 5%(limo on all th rear windows(five of em) and has never been pulled.

I was pulled over twice in VA for tint in 1 month, and I don't drive in VA that often anymore! Once was on the way down to an MM car show, lol

Well the chrome and dark tint draws attention.

[ViPER1313]

"Nothing in this section shall prohibit applying to the rear side windows or rear window of any multi-purpose passenger vehicle or pickup truck sun-shading or tinting films that reduce the total light transmittance of such window or windows below thirty-five percent."

Looks like you're good to go dark son 8)

[JustinG]

minivan you should be ok, ive been pulled for mine being at 20% but my car isnt very inconspicuous *sp. I would wait though until you could afford the good tint. Ull be pissed when that shit starts to bubble. Plus doing a van youll probably need, like 6-7 rolls of tint, at about $15 a pop. theres your pro tint job right there.

[Feersty]

minivan you should be ok, ive been pulled for mine being at 20% but my car isnt very inconspicuous *sp. I would wait though until you could afford the good tint. Ull be pissed when that shit starts to bubble. Plus doing a van youll probably need, like 6-7 rolls of tint, at about $15 a pop. theres your pro tint job right there.

+1 to have a pro do it.

[HappyIdiot]

I did my back windows with the help of a friend. It really isn't that hard. It looks fine from the outside, but the inside is scratchy looking. I got a really good price from a shop so i'm going to get it redone. I would recommend you get it done from a shop.

[WRXtranceformed]

I got a ticket for dark tint when I got my speeding ticket the other day... how gay ! =P

[Jeff]

So, a Van = ok to be BLACK I read? So Super limo on the back 5 windows and "dark smoke" on the front two?

[Feersty]

Whatever you choose I would use that on all the windows. The same tint percentage rather. 5% all around might be too dark. 20% all around would probably be good.

[JustinG]

i wouldnt go any darker than 20% for safety reasons, i kkinda hate my tint at night when raingin, its a little hard to see, also pretty hard to see at night without the rain.

[Jeff]

I think I might just do 35% all the way around. That would keep me legal and be plenty dark.

[Apoc]

I think I might just do 35% all the way around. That would keep me legal and be plenty dark.

Your front side windows would actually be illegal since they have to be 50%. The exclusion for vans applies to the rear side and rear going as dark as you want but the front still have to be 50% or higher.

[Jeff]

Yeah, my bad, I'm doing to much posting and not enough reading today.