Hi Again...just a general (albeit dumb) question about how tint is applied in an e/34. What I mean is, in other cars that I have had tinted, some tint shops would take off the door panels and remove the window...I am not sure if I want that done to this car. So, my question is, did any of you watch it being done? Do they just leave the window in? (obvoiusly talking about the doors) thanks for sharing your experience.
Rob

For mine they left the window in. They did a pretty good job except for the peice of weather stripping they forgot to bring up which ened up scratching the tint

The windows were left in for mine. No need to take the windows out really. Mines held up great, no bubbles, peeling, or color changing....

Left windows and door panels in mine, and there are small gaps on the edges, visible only from the outside. For the rear windshield, taking out the back seat, parcel shelf, C-pillar panels, and rear brake light helps them a lot.

Just curious, but how hard is it to apply the tint to the door windows yourself? I may do the doors then have a shop do the rear windshield since it's so inconveniently curved.

Also, how many rolls do you think it would take to accommodate those 4 windows?

the windows were left in my car, for the windows the only thing they removed was the weather stripping...the shop i used had a machine which had these specs programed, and cut the tint to the exact size...

Just curious, but how hard is it to apply the tint to the door windows yourself? I may do the doors then have a shop do the rear windshield since it's so inconveniently curved.

Also, how many rolls do you think it would take to accommodate those 4 windows?

i dont know how many rolls...i would assume if your using a standard 3m tint roll, i dont see it being more than 1..unless you do the rear and front tint strip...if your doing it urself i would practice on any spare glass you have..it requires alot of soapy water and patients to get it perfect...and i also recomend not using cheap film!!!

Mine was done with the windows in and turned out really well for a 16 year old car. I actually work at a shop in Nashville that does tint, stereo, wheels, etc called Auto House. We hired our tinter from the #1 tint shop in Jacksonville, FL three years ago. He's got 7+ years of experience and does a great job. I can't tell you that any tint shop can do it right b/c were probably spoiled a little based on his high quality, however I would hope a good tinter could handle it. If your willing to make the trip I could schedule an appointment. We use Llumar film and have a high performance line that carries a nationwide lifetime warranty.

precision-motoring.com

myspace "Auto House"

Oh and Scyrusurcys...

I would not try tinting the car yourself. I have tried to take lessons from our tinter, and after 10 months can do window strips and small quarter windows. I could probably tint a car if I wanted to, but there's no way anyone would pay for it once its done...lol There's so much more to it than just peel and stick. To get the film to curve you have to shrink it with a heat gun. This is very tedious and is not a first timer's job..lol Anyway, if your determined to try it, good luck. Use baby shampoo/ filtered water mix. Spray the film and the glass and squeegee the water out from the middle to the sides.

I have never seen a shop take out the windows to tint them. They place the tint on the outside of the glass to cut the pattern, then apply it to the inside using soapy water and a little squeegee to get the air bubbles out. It is harder than it looks if you have never done it before and if you want it to look good, I highly recommend paying someone to do it.

One other thing to be carefull with, best to avoid the metal film, at least in the rear window. Your radio antenna is in that glass and the metal film has been known to screw up your reception.

I'm going to tint my windows as soon as it warms up a little more. I've done it many times over the years and I'm getting pretty good at it.. No need to remove anything.

The law is unclear in PA. Inspection stations can pass your car if you have tinted windows but if a cop thinks it's too dark, you can still get fined and be forced to remove it. Technically, NO aftermarket tint is legal but I found a way around the fines.:alright


I only tint my side windows and leave the rear window and windshield clear, that way when a cop gets behind me, he can see straight through. Honestly, I think that's the only thing they care about because they never bother me but I have many friends that have been fined that have tinted rear windows. Just something to think about if your state has laws against it.

^ Yeah, but that looks really bizzare, and slightly defeats the point. Cars are allowed to have screens in the back and sides (and these were an option on E34's, according to realoem), so what gives with not allowing tint back there?