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Car window tinting.
 

[Closed] Car window tinting.

 benz
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[#5965335]

My wife recently got a Mini Clubman.

With daughter and dog in the back, think good idea to get rear windows tinted for those sunny days.

Asked for quotes for some local places. Prices range from 2 tinting specialists quoting £130 all in to local auto glass place at £300. Auto glass place want car basically for a full day and overnight.

I'm tempted by the tinting specialists for cost and each think 2>3 hrs to do job.

Any questions to ask about prep, application, etc?


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 5:41 pm
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Thinkseriously if you really need it. Had a mondeo for work with heavy tinting and rear visibility when reversing was awful. We managed 100 years without tinted glass


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 6:04 pm
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My estate has got a fairly dark window tint (although in my defense it did come with it). Reversing is never an issue during daylight but at night the rear view camera and parking sensor are really needed. Note to self my RTFMS and remember how to use the self parking too!


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 6:37 pm
 m0rk
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I would consider blinds instead - like these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Clubman-2008-On-CAR-SUN-SHADES-BLINDS-TINT-/180633669756?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AMini+Clubman&hash=item2a0e9b107c

I've had them on the last three cars, and just pop the rear one out in winter

Works a treat to protect my little one from the sun (and from people peeking at my bike if that's inside)


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 6:42 pm
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It might be worth looking at mirror coating. I've seen it with around 15% tint, so from the outside all you see is your own face, but from the inside they're a very pale grey! not very dark at all.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 8:24 pm
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Please don't. As said before just not needed.
They are impossible to see through and make forward observation etc very hard for others, especially cyclists.
Come the revolution when I become dictator they will be banned along with dog coats and below knee shorts.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 8:43 pm
 benz
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Sorry folks, got factory fitted tinted rear glass in my Cayenne turbo S which does not impede visibility, so wanted some for the mini.

Seriously, my own car has factory rear tint and no issues with visibility...not talking limo tint here.....


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 9:00 pm
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Got to agree with Benz here. No problems seeing anything here. Front side windows are very lightly tinted. At night you can see cyclists with lights no problem.

Oh and Forward view?? You just over the top of my car on a road bike.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 9:12 pm
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Have you tried Old School Windscreens in Chertsey (not too far from Reading) top company, they did mine, I just had to pick the colour and they took care of all the details; 2 years on and no problems whatsoever.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 9:23 pm
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I have a Lumar tint on the b pillar back of my Golf and have no issues at all seeing through it.

My local detailer did it for £120 and it was done in a day.

Make sure they're using a quality film and look for examples of their work to make sure it's good.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 10:16 pm
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i did my own, no problem with visibility as im a bus driver and used to not having an interior mirror or rear window*.
i did my mondeo myself, it looks fine.
i would never do it again though it was a complete pita to do.

*awaits comedy response*


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 10:41 pm
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£120-130 is pretty good value, I did my own and it took 2 of us a whole day to do it!

Day rate labour at £100 a day makes this look like good value.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 10:42 pm
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I meant that you can't see through a car to see what else is out there.
Yes I know vans are like that but why add to it.
Look tack as well unless you are a dealer 😆


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 10:53 pm
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benz - Member
Sorry folks, got factory fitted tinted rear glass in my Cayenne turbo S which does not impede visibility, so wanted some for the mini.

[Sweeping Generalisation] Is that the Dealer option pack?[/Sweeping Generalisation]


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 11:02 pm
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Sorry folks, got factory fitted tinted rear glass in my Cayenne turbo S

Top bit of WW there...


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 11:08 pm
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Look tack as well unless you are a dealer
blimey you must know some pretty odd dealers to be driving round in diesel estate? 🙂

Oh and I still say - just look over cars. Never an issue in years of road cycling.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 11:11 pm
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We had the rear windows in my wife's Clubman tinted by Fleet Autoshades, from one of the posts above it sounds like you may not be too far from Fleet. The guy did a very good job, and had the car for about four hours or so. I think the tint we had was Dark Smoke, basically one down from the really black limo tint. My wife has managed fine and hasn't had any issues with it being too dark. Overall I think it has improved the look of the car, but it is a pretty pimped up mini, so maybe not to everyone's taste.

It is hides anything you have in the boot if you don't use the pull over cover.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 11:16 pm
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I've had limo tints on many vehicles - no visibility problems at all - use your f*****g mirrors when reversing! - if you can't reverse just by using your mirrors then you shouldn't be driving.
They're great for stopping scrotes seeing into the car and in sumner they stop it getting too hot ( the aircon works more efficiently ) - and it doesn't matter a toss to me if anyone can't see through my car or not.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 11:34 pm
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I had rear tints in an estate car, but the rear screen itself wasn't tinted. Was more like a vinyl (perforated so you could see out). No problems with visibility at all.


 
Posted : 16/02/2014 11:38 pm