[jtrosky]

So I took the car back to the tint shop yesterday and the owner told me straight up that they don't go all of the way to the very edge on purpose. He (the shop owner) said that going all of the way to edge increases the possibility of the tint peeling over time due to the friction from the rubber seal when you put the window up and down. He was perfectly willing to redo both windows and go all of the way to the very edge if I wanted him to, but said that they wouldn't warranty the install if I decided to have that done.

One of the primary reasons why I use 3M tint is for the nationwide lifetime warranty (that covers parts and labor), so I wasn't willing to lose the warranty over a ~1/16" gap between the edge of the tint and the edge of the window.

So, he agreed that the gap was excessive on the drivers side - so he re-did the drivers side window so that the gap matches the passenger side, which is MUCH smaller and looks fine. It doesn't go all of the way to very edge, but it's close enough that it looks great and keeps my warranty intact without any risk of the tint peeling at the edge over time.

I honestly trust this guy - he's been in business for over 30 years and they tint up to 30 cars per day. They know what they're doing. Who knows, it may be a 3M film thing - maybe it's thicker than some other films and that makes it more likely to peel at the edges in this kind of situation? Not really sure, but I truly don't believe the guy is just making it up. After all, what would he have to gain by not going all of the way to the very edge? It only makes sense that he would want less "comebacks" - and based on his experience with these types of frameless windows, you'll have more issues if you go to the very edge.

TL;DR - they redid the drivers-side window and things look fantastic now. I'm a happy camper.

 

[ehutchin]

If you're happy with it, then problem solved.
I don't have the 3M tint but mines has a lifetime warranty as well with the tint to the edge. Just assumed all tint would have the lifetime warranty and covering it all the way to the edge wouldn't make any difference on longevity. Oh well...
Case closed

 

[F8HemiRT]

All the way to the edge and lifetime warranty. I've had many cars tinted and they always go to the edge. Yours is weird looking.

 

[jtrosky]

That's pretty much what mine looks like now. THere is about a 1/16" gap between the edge of the tint and the edge of the glass now. It may just be because of the way the window edges are, where there are "rolled" at the ends that causes that small gap?

This is my first frameless window car - so I'm not used to seeing the very edge of the windows at all. Usually, it's in the door frame channel.

I'll take a new, better picture of what mine looks like now.

 

[jtrosky]

Here is the best picture that I can get of my windows right now, while the car is in the garage... As you can see, the gap is as small (or maybe even smaller) than the pictures posted above, although I still don't consider that going "to the edge". There is definitely still a small gap (maybe between 1/8" and 1/16") between the edge of the tint and the edge fo the window. If I wanted them to go to the very edge (no gap at all), that is when they said they would do it if I wanted them to, but they wouldn't warranty it because it is likely to peel if you go the very edge.

I think that my original picture was a little misleading because it was an extreme close-up, which made the gap seem even bigger than it really was. But the owner of the tint shop did agree that the original gap on that window was excessive and fixed it.

When people said that their tint goes to he very edge, I took that literally - meaning that it went to the very edge - which is obviously not the case, at least not based on the pictures posted above.

Also - regarding the "lifetime" warranty"... Almost all tint shops give a "lifetime" warranty now - but it's really just for the lifetime of that tint shop. You can only get warranty coverage at that shop. If they go out of business (and MANY do), then you have no warranty. The 3M lifetime warranty is a nationwide warranty - doesn't matter if the original tint shop is still in business or not - or if I move to the other side of the country. I can go to any authorized 3M tint shop to obtain warranty coverage and not pay a single penny - even if it's 20 years later and a different tint shop - and they also cover purpling, fading, etc (a lot of cheaper dyed films will fade and/or purple - you see them driving around all of the time). I know that 3M is going to be around for the long-haul. 3M tint file is also very durable. For example, it seems that you have to use special ammonia-free window cleaner on most tints, whereas you can use anything on 3M tint, regardless of whether it contains ammonia or not. It's also very scratch-resistant. I've found it to be excellent tint film for long-term use.

Not all "lifetime" warranties or tint films are created equal.

Now a lot of people only keep their cars for a few years, so they may not ever see or care what happens 10 years down the road. I tend to keep my cars a long time, so I thought that the 3M warranty was kind of a "nice to have".

 

[fredo]

I finally got around to tinting my 18 F8. This is probably in the wrong section.

I now understand why the first mod should be tint. Wish I would have done it when I bought it in 18.
View attachment 996809 View attachment 996811 View attachment 996813 View attachment 996814 View attachment 996816 View attachment 996815 View attachment 996818 View attachment 996819 View attachment 996820 View attachment 996817

What percent tint?

 

[Big Swede]

Do you guys think tinted cars are more likely to be pulled over? Like they think you're trying to hide something or it's just an excuse to measure your tint and then search your car?

It’s too common for that to happen.

 

[SidheTX]

Hi! New here but a LEO in Texas. The only driver I've EVER hassled for tint was a guy whose WINDSHIELD was so dark in broad daylight that I couldn't see him OR his steering wheel when he passed me on a two-lane road.

Is illegal tint a REASON to pull someone over? Sure. But it's also one of those things like a defective tag light, it's unlikely to earn you a ticket, but it is a legal reason for me to make contact with a driver.

Beyond that, picked up my new Challenger on the 22nd. It's 100° out and driving around in a fishbowl SUCKS. Tint appointment is on Friday.

 

[Carbide]

Cops are real dicks here in MN about tint.

 

[19johned53]

Hi! New here but a LEO in Texas. The only driver I've EVER hassled for tint was a guy whose WINDSHIELD was so dark in broad daylight that I couldn't see him OR his steering wheel when he passed me on a two-lane road.

Is illegal tint a REASON to pull someone over? Sure. But it's also one of those things like a defective tag light, it's unlikely to earn you a ticket, but it is a legal reason for me to make contact with a driver.

Beyond that, picked up my new Challenger on the 22nd. It's 100° out and driving around in a fishbowl SUCKS. Tint appointment is on Friday. View attachment 1027803

Welcome and that's a nice ride. Nice to see your perspective on tint stops. Fully agree.

Tint will really bring everything together on your TA.

It's been a good old hot sauna July in MO. Gotta have tint.

 

[SidheTX]

Cops are real dicks here in MN about tint.

Your mileage may vary. I know a few here in Texas that just make me shake my head.

 

[Pioneer4x4]

I've never been a fan of tint added on, especially for side door windows. It plain sucks at night, I've seen crappy tint, and supposedly super nice tint, and they just don't pass light the same. There is always some flare. My Volvo had it from the P.O. and if it wasn't such a nice installation job, I would have removed it. And my wife like the way it looked, but she didn't drive it at night, it was usually me.
Now for the rear window only, different story. I have put it in our old Vans (plus the cargo doors, but that was also for privacy/cool factor) and the rear windows of my Rampages. I have the remnants of a 1970s roll of Westinghouse approved bronze reflective industrial tint, awesome for back windows keeping the sun heat off your neck. But again, those were basically un-tinted clear plate glass.
I'm not hiding anything, I don't think it looks "cool" but for the south with brutal sun, I would want to do a side by side test, and if it helped my car in my situations, sure, as much as I could.

 

[topspin456]

I see 35% and darker all the time, but yes, they can be pulled over at any time. I think if you go lighter than 35%, and cops can see in to see you and what you're doing, for the most part if you aren't breaking other laws, they have too much else to worry about you.

I had SunTek CXP Window Tint installed 45% all sides, 18% Back. It's ceramic, great UV and heat rejection. Lifetime limited warranty against peeling, cracking, adhesive failure, delamination and color fading.

View attachment 996945

View attachment 996946

View attachment 996947

Dark dark looks great, but more likely to get you pulled over, and at night...Even if it was legal, I'd not go darker than 20% sides. Honestly, the 20% on back you don't even notice looking out the back. It still has the same UV rejection, and close on the heat rejection

A Guy

I live in michigan with strict laws on tinting as well. Did you find the 45% to be a transformative enough look? My challenger is also black and I think tinted windows would make it look amazing but also don't want any trouble with law enforcement so I'm trying to find a middle ground between changing the look without attracting unwanted attention.

 

[A Guy]

So, all in my opinion, darker looks better. I would like 35%, but in 5 years I have had no problems and I have all blacked out side markers and rear reflectors, and blacked out tail lights...and no front plate. I can see out great, even at night. If any LEO had any reason to look at me, they could see me, see what I was doing. I also drive more often than not with my windows down. I'm posting a bunch of pictures not because I'm in love with my car (I'm in love with my car ), but so you can see the difference. Mind my car is lowered and was paint corrected and coated when new

Before

After

So IMHO again, yes the look is worth it. But additionally, even 45% has great heat rejection and UV rejection is 99% no matter how dark. I got the Suntek Carbon CXP and it still looks perfect 5 years later. If you want tint, but aren't willing to chance darker, go for it

A Guy

 

[Superdog]

Just got my new 21 done yesterday. 15%. I'm liking it.
u

 

[19johned53]

Just got my new 21 done yesterday. 15%. I'm liking it.
u View attachment 1034022

That's a sharp looking ride. Perfect 😄

 

[awdchalli]

Absolutely correct. I got delivery of my car today and tomorrow is Sunday and I have my shop ready booked to apply Tint on Monday. I will also light smoke the headlights, tail lights and turn signals. Then a couple of days later I have my 3M guy lined up who will do all that work.

 

[RemyBurdett]

It's no secret that tint is one of the most popular first-time mods for cars. It's an easy way to give your ride an instant upgrade and make it look awesome. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive and easy to install, so it's a great option for anyone who's looking to customize their car.

 

[the3fishheads]

You can get a medical tint waver here in NY.

 

[Rayzaa]

Not real inexpensive. If you get the basic tint, it's still around $300 in my area. If you get the best tint of course it's more.