Tinted Windows

[Danny Boy]

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in tinting the front windows to match the rear windows.

 

If so whats the costs and any recomendations for companies in the Birmingham area whom can do it??

 

Cheers

[iainkirk]

There's possibly a law in place already (or a new one approaching) which limits the % tint on front side windows.

 

It is/will be less tint than the back side windows have as standard...

 

Aimed at the Saxo-with-a-baked-bean-tin-for-an-exhaust-pipe-and-a-bum-where-their-face-should-be drivers.

[italiastar]

As a cyclist, it's very off-putting approaching a car side on with tinted front windows - you cannot see if the driver has seen you - also off putting for car drivers.

 

I suggest, law or not, I suggest you consider leaving front tints to the bull-bar brigade.

[HJT]

Yep there definately is a law about tinting and you are only allowed a certain percentage on the side and front windows. I believe there are exceptions to this but not sure what they are you would need to look it up. Try a google search on window tinting and the law (as the BBC would say "other search engines are available" :D )

 

Howard

[_dg]

I wonder if the Police bother to enforce this law in the same sloth-like zeal as the one which says that number plates have to be in a cetain font and should not be altered to spell 'zany' words or names?

 

I'm not a lawyer, but I don't think there is a law that says you must have front side windows, so the loophole here is that you could potentially tint the windows to black, as long has you drove around with them down ie in marketing speak ..." black windows are for off road use or when vehicle is stationary".

 

Obviously, my little scheme means that you should also refrain from driving when its is raining, or perhaps in winter time.

 

I once had a car with black side windows, but got tired of people tapping the window when I was at traffic lights and asking me to sell them some drugs.

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Dark tinted front side windows will mean (1) MOT failure and (2) breach of construction and use regulations meaning that you are breaking the law if you have them, whether or not the windows are raised. Don't do it!

[HJT]

Just found this on the net.

 

Where such a vehicle is stopped and the window tints applied are such that the Visible Light Transmission level, when measured using an approved device falls to below prescribed levels, the following enforcement guidelines have been agreed with, and recommended, by the Government.

Above 30% Visible Light Transmission (Less Severe Window Tints)

The owner or driver of such a vehicle will be required to have the tinted film removed from the windows under the direction of either a Rectification Notice or a Delayed Prohibition Notice, A period of grace will apply for a limited number of days (normally ten) during which time the vehicle may be driven whilst the rectification work is to be completed. In either case, the vehicle will need to be inspected by either a Police Officer or Vehicle Inspectorate Officer to confirm that the glass has been restored to a compliant condition. Prosecution is unlikely in such circumstances provided the vehicle owner complies fully.

Below 30% Visible Light Transmission (Excessively dark Window Tints)

The owner or driver of such a vehicle may be issued with an Immediate Prohibition Notice and immediately prevented from driving the vehicle o

[Guest Andyjflet]

In 2003 there was an article in the Liverpool Echo that stated that something like 130 vehicles in the merseyside area had been impounded and ordered off the road due to illegally tinted front windows. Some I recall were Voyagers with complete side tints.

[GaryM]

Despite all the rules and regs I have tinted my fronts. It is lighter than the rest of the car at 30% but probably illegal. Anyway did it to better the looks but mainly to help the underpowered air conn.

 

It is not hard to do yourself but like everything its the preperation that takes the time.

 

Did a Mini Cooper in dark smoke and that was hard to see out of <_< Looked way B) but would not do it again on the grounds of saftey.

[Guest nimrod]

My rear windows are tinted as dark as dark as the law allows, the fronts are tinted slighty with a UV reflective film

I do find it slighty harder to judge distances in the dark while parking now and find sticking my head out the side window helps, mind you I now have reverseing lights <_< its only took nearly two years to get round to replaceing the switch :D and I didnt remove the battery tray or drop the engine mount in the proccess! B)

[Davetheref]

Nimrod. That hole thats marked LPG. Is that where you put the diesel in?

[Guest kev140766]

Nimrod, my reversing light works, but goes off when i take my hand off the lever. I cannot however, seem to get near to the swtch though. My hands aren't that big!

How did you do it?

[Guest nimrod]

Nimrod. That hole thats marked LPG. Is that where you put the diesel in?

Nah! nothing that expensive goes in there <_<

[Guest nimrod]

Nimrod, my reversing light works, but goes off when i take my hand off the lever. I cannot however, seem to get near to the swtch though. My hands aren't that big!

How did you do it?

On mine being a VR6 I dropped the coil pack off the end of the engine! with it tucked up out of the way there is just enough room to get my arm down into the depths of the engine bay and get hold of the switch! I prized open the locking clips holding it in place and there was enough slack on the loom in order for the switch to be lifted up into the space left by the coil pack so I could unplug it and change it

the hardest part is keeping the retaining clips in place on the switch while you relocate the new switch into position and then push then home to hold the switch in place

I would have thought there would be a lot more room in your engine bay? after all your missing two cylinders <_<

[Guest Elwood]

I bought my car with tinted windows, same at back and front.

 

Damn difficult to reverse in the dark with the windows closed, you have to stick ur head at the windows!!

 

My reverse light also goes out when i take my hanb of me knob (ah-hum) still the garage say they'll replace i!!!

[Guest Murdock]

If you do decide to have it done then go to Auto Spec in Barford Street, Digbeth.

they are good, a full car cost about

[Danny Boy]

Thanks for all ur comments, just had a quote from Auto Tint in Halesowen, West Mids.

[Guest SaraSeahorse]

it's not tinting but an alternative that I have now been usign for a week until I decide whether or not to afford having windows tinted - makes a big difference just with the two passenger windows alone and quick to put on and take off

 

http://www.windowsox.co.uk/

[Guest nimrod]

funny thing is they dont stock them for the face lifted version! I thought we had decided that there is no difference in the window sizes between the two models! maybe we should tell them and broaden their market :rolleyes:

[Guest tootall]

I realise this is simply turning over an old string but, hell, I'm going to do it anyway...

 

Has anyone fitted mirror tints?

 

My Galaxy is red (that metallic red every other old-shaper seems to be...) and I am not sure either pimp-black or mirror will work too well...

 

but, with 3 kids and no A/C, it's like an oven in summer, especially for the baby...

 

and, anyway, I kind of want darker windows, like the Ghia X I used to own, that got nicked last year, along with the wife's 206.

 

If I do go the midnight tint route and find myself pulled; politely enquiring as to whether I'm being stopped, so that the Plod can alert me to their imminent return, may be my opening gambit...

[Guest vr6galaxy]

No decent installer will fit window tints above the legal limit, when mine where done it was several days after the tinting firms governing body had decided to bring the UK light transferance limits in line with with the existing European limits, this meant that I couldnt go as dark as I wanted :( looking back now I'm glad as at times the loss of visability is a bit to much! especially while backing into tight spots in the dark! :blink:

you could always have UV reflective film instead! my front two side windows are done in it, the back five are tinted black, the UV film used on mine is very similar to the standard tint colour, the coke bottle green!

[davec]

is there any limit on back windows,i can understand front but there are full steel tailgate vans everywhere with no rear visibility

[Richmond]

If I do go the midnight tint route and find myself pulled; politely enquiring as to whether I'm being stopped, so that the Plod can alert me to their imminent return, may be my opening gambit...

Only recommended if you want to enjoy an internal body search and having your car stripped down looking for concealed Class A drugs, I suspect!

 

I don't think that UV reflective film on its own will help, as it isn't UV which heats things up.

[SharanTDICarat]

The company I am going to get to do my windows in a fortnight says that you are allowed a 30% tint on the drivers and front passangers window and you can have any tint on the rears. However I called my insurance (Tesco) and they say they will only insure up to a 30% on all windows dispite the fact it is legal to go darker on the other windows (so good bye Tesco insurance then)

I am going to go with a 30% tint on the fronts and 45% tint on the rest of the glass.("Limo" tint starts at 80% apparently)

:unsure:

TAM

[Richmond]

There's another thread on tints on here somewhere with some knowledgeable-sounding stuff about the legal limitations on tinting.