C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe
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Tinted Windows W203 Thread - All You want to know about window tinting a C Class

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Old May 18, 2005 | 12:31 PM
  #876  
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Originally Posted by ctC230K
where do you buy that?
Supposedly the tint shops are supposed to use it, but all the ones I called said they didn't. I should have kept calling...
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Old May 18, 2005 | 12:37 PM
  #877  
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excites your girlfriend
my tint guy said that if i buy the felt or velvet or moleskin he would install it cheap. either that or he would have to constantly replace all my side window tints lol!
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Old May 18, 2005 | 12:39 PM
  #878  
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Originally Posted by ctC230K
my tint guy said that if i buy the felt or velvet or moleskin he would install it cheap. either that or he would have to constantly replace all my side window tints lol!
Purple velvet would be sick!
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Old May 18, 2005 | 12:51 PM
  #879  
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The interior is the light gray/exterior midnight blue. So 35 sides and 20 back sounds like the winner? Is there 2 different shades as well? I know theres a charcoal tint and more of a black tint. What looks better?

They told me they use the good stuff (sorry forgot the brand) and they purchase it for something like 400 and some a roll? I'm sure every tint place tells people this but the local Mercedes dealer sends all their customers their with no complaints and they seem like alright guys. I'm in the East Bay, Bay area and tried 4 different places, this was the best deal for what they use. Should I go metallic?

I think I'm gonna pick up some moleskin at the fabric store....called to see if they use it but the tint guy wasn't their. How much should I get-? yards?
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Old May 18, 2005 | 12:59 PM
  #880  
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Originally Posted by Blake P
Where did you get it done in the Bay? I've had some trouble finding a good tint shop that will do moleskin. The place I originally went said their tint is "scratch resistant", but I've got vertical scratches all over!

Blake, I got mine done at a Formula One Shop in Livermore called Rocky Mountain Window Tint. You can check out their website for other locations. Moleskins are also referred as Synthetic Strips. It's no guarantee that your window won't scratch, but it will definitely reduce the amount having it especially if you have a BENZ. Before I had my windows tint installed, the installer rolled my window all the way down. he had me stick my finger to feel both sides of the factory installed strips. The one strip outside of the car has a more of a felt feel to it, as opposed to the rough feel on the strip within the inside of the car which is where the tint will be applied. Hope that makes sense. It cost $25 for each window. My installer did it without taking apart the door, other shops say that they need too. I specifically looked for an installer who has been tinting for years. He told me that it's best if you don't take apart the entire door cuz why mess with it and possibly have rattling noise after the install. I believe he just remove the speaker and slightly pulled away the top of the door to install the strips.
For those who say they have lifetime warranty, be sure to ask if scratches is covered. Don't take a verbal response either. It should be in writing. Also, there is a high turnover in tint shops, so pick one that has been around for awhile and has the warranty to take to another shop located in a different location. What good is it if you have lifetime warranty and the shop closes years down the road.
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Old May 18, 2005 | 01:15 PM
  #881  
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Originally Posted by Kojack
The interior is the light gray/exterior midnight blue. So 35 sides and 20 back sounds like the winner? Is there 2 different shades as well? I know theres a charcoal tint and more of a black tint. What looks better?

They told me they use the good stuff (sorry forgot the brand) and they purchase it for something like 400 and some a roll? I'm sure every tint place tells people this but the local Mercedes dealer sends all their customers their with no complaints and they seem like alright guys. I'm in the East Bay, Bay area and tried 4 different places, this was the best deal for what they use. Should I go metallic?

I think I'm gonna pick up some moleskin at the fabric store....called to see if they use it but the tint guy wasn't their. How much should I get-? yards?
Yes, 35% all 4 side windows and 20% back sounds like a winner. I would have gone with that, but didn't want the tint to be too obvious to cops.
The concept of having a darker % for the large back window is that it creates more of a balanced look to your car. Because of the sloped angle of the window and the size of it, it lets in more light. A lighter % in the side window is actually going to appear darker though. if you stand at the side of your car a feet away, it's going to look darker because not only are looking at one window tint (drivers side), but the other window (passenger side) too. This seems to be the classy way to tint now....same % for all 4 windows.
Since you have a dark exterior, I would go with the black vs. charcoal. Mettalic if you don't have NAV or listen to AM (news, ball games, etc).
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Old May 18, 2005 | 01:32 PM
  #882  
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No Wer E- I've heard good things about that tint place but couldn't pay the 470+ they were trying to charge me. I'm going with a car stereo/ tinting place in Walnut Creek. I'm crossing my fingers. They told me their tint guy has been tintig for over 20 years so that gave me a little reassurance. I never knew tinting could be so stressful! LOL!

Think I'll have a problem with 35% on the sides for the Bay Area?
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Old May 18, 2005 | 01:55 PM
  #883  
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Originally Posted by Kojack
No Wer E- I've heard good things about that tint place but couldn't pay the 470+ they were trying to charge me. I'm going with a car stereo/ tinting place in Walnut Creek. I'm crossing my fingers. They told me their tint guy has been tintig for over 20 years so that gave me a little reassurance. I never knew tinting could be so stressful! LOL!

Think I'll have a problem with 35% on the sides for the Bay Area?
I paid $404 (tax included) all 4 window, rear large window, and synthetic strips for each door. Since I felt pretty good about the installers experience and knowledge, I didn't mind paying that much. He installed the back large window in one piece. A very clean job. Inexperienced installers have to dou multiple pieces. Each window tint goes all the way to the top of the window. So when you roll down the window, you can barely notice that tint was applied. I'm trying to believe, "you get what you pay for". 20 years is a long time. Make sure you get his name and he is the one to install it. Again, ask details as I've conveyed here and about the warranty.
35% should be fine....having the same % on the side windows will not make it as noticable than front seats tinted (35%) and back seat/back window (20%).
keep it looking balance and classy....just my IMO.
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Old May 18, 2005 | 02:08 PM
  #884  
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Thanks for the help.....will let you know the outcome with some pics as soon as I can clean my car. I hate waiting that period to let the tint settle but don't worry, I'll do it. I will not pay to have it done again just to roll down the windows for a day! Whats the wait....5 days?
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Old May 18, 2005 | 02:12 PM
  #885  
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excites your girlfriend
i paid $170, the shop i use and have used a few times before has been around for 20+ years in the same location and the guy that runs it has been there for 10+ years. like i said their lifetime gaurantee covers anything, scratches, bubbling, discoloring, etc, it's written on the recipt. he offered to change out that window's tint on the spot. they do about 10 high end cars a day and they're always booked a week or two out.

and yes, i think with a light interior 35% / 20% is the way to go, any lighter and it won't look dark enough. maybe even 20% / 15% but since it's illegal you might not want it that dark lol.

Last edited by ctC230K; May 18, 2005 at 02:17 PM.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 12:01 AM
  #886  
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So was mine too dark?...I thought id get more feedback on the tint. Those are my first pics of my car btw.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 12:06 AM
  #887  
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excites your girlfriend
post pics of yours in daylight outside. i can't tell in those pics.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 12:49 AM
  #888  
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Originally Posted by TheBossman
So was mine too dark?...I thought id get more feedback on the tint. Those are my first pics of my car btw.
20% is second darkest to limo. it looks even darker from that angle and being inside a closed garage. looks great though, especially with the dark exterior of your car. yes, take a side profile pic.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 12:57 PM
  #889  
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excites your girlfriend
some shops can do 15%. today i looked at my window and i noticed a big huge scratch, i think i need that moleskin stuff.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 01:28 PM
  #890  
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Just dropped off the car for the tinting. Went with 35% on all sides and 20% for the back window. Crossing my fingers that I will like it. The guy doesn't do the moleskin but there is a lifetime warranty in writing on the tint.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 01:40 PM
  #891  
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Originally Posted by Kojack
Just dropped off the car for the tinting. Went with 35% on all sides and 20% for the back window. Crossing my fingers that I will like it. The guy doesn't do the moleskin but there is a lifetime warranty in writing on the tint.
Congrats. You will definitely want to make sure the "lifetime warranty" covers wear and tear scratches, because mine does not according to the fine print.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 01:57 PM
  #892  
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Originally Posted by Kojack
Just dropped off the car for the tinting. Went with 35% on all sides and 20% for the back window. Crossing my fingers that I will like it. The guy doesn't do the moleskin but there is a lifetime warranty in writing on the tint.
I'm sure you're going to like it. That's a great combo. If you can, post pics when the weather gets better. Maybe I'll see you around town.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 02:17 PM
  #893  
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I'll do my best to post some this weekend. I'm wainting for this horrible rain to pass. Its supposed to be almost 90 this weekend so Saturday is my official first wash of the car. I cant believe how excited I am to wash the car! Just cant touch the interior windows. I'm spending the early morning tomorrow stocking up on quality products and towels. I'm even gonna go to a fabric store to get some good cloth. If I could afford it I would probably wash my car with avion water. LOL
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Old May 19, 2005 | 02:44 PM
  #894  
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Originally Posted by Kojack
If I could afford it I would probably wash my car with avion water. LOL
Actually, that might not even be a good idea if you could afford it. We have Evian water at work and I noticed on the bottle that it said it has a certain amount of sodium (salt) in the water!
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Old May 19, 2005 | 02:51 PM
  #895  
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Originally Posted by drexappeal
Actually, that might not even be a good idea if you could afford it. We have Evian water at work and I noticed on the bottle that it said it has a certain amount of sodium (salt) in the water!
Now that's what i call an observation! Always reading fine prints.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 02:56 PM
  #896  
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Just a joke, would never really do that. LOL. I'm gonna go pick the car up now. They didn't do the felt/moleskin thing. Has anyone ever attemted to put that in themselves? What does someone charge to do that? I really don't want to go back every few months for scratches. I do drive with the windows down in the summer and I hear thats how it happens, from the dust and particles getting in the sill and rolling the windows up and down. I was just reading some responces in a tint forum ( actually pretty informative!) and one guy had his C class done and the tint guy told him to roll down his windows as little as possible. He asked the tint guy how long he should keep the windows up and the tint guy said always! Cmon!
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Old May 19, 2005 | 06:55 PM
  #897  
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Got the car back.....I think its ok, the GF doesn't. She says its too dark on the rear window. Now that I'm looking at it I tend to kinda agree. I feel if I did 35 all the way around it would have been better than 20 on the rear and 35 everywhere else. I called the guy back and he said he'd charge me 75 to redo the rear.

It could be the weather though. It is a cold ugly dark day and the tint is gonna look darker in this weather. I think I'm gonna wait until Saturday to make my decision and see the car in the sun. Might look a lot better.

I ultimately want a classy look and I think the 20 on the back is slightly too dark for my taste. Just my opinion. They used Matico and it looks pretty nice. Hopefully the sides will stay in good shape.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 07:20 PM
  #898  
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Originally Posted by Kojack
Got the car back.....I think its ok, the GF doesn't. She says its too dark on the rear window. Now that I'm looking at it I tend to kinda agree. I feel if I did 35 all the way around it would have been better than 20 on the rear and 35 everywhere else. I called the guy back and he said he'd charge me 75 to redo the rear.

It could be the weather though. It is a cold ugly dark day and the tint is gonna look darker in this weather. I think I'm gonna wait until Saturday to make my decision and see the car in the sun. Might look a lot better.

I ultimately want a classy look and I think the 20 on the back is slightly too dark for my taste. Just my opinion. They used Matico and it looks pretty nice. Hopefully the sides will stay in good shape.
You're gonna be happy you got the darker rear tint once the weather gets warm and on a sunny day the tint will not seem so dark. Might be my imagination (or that I just got used to it) but my tint seems to have lightened up slightly since I first got it done.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 07:29 PM
  #899  
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Probably right.....I have to kick myself in the *** because I always have to find something wrong with a good thing. The perfectionist in me! lol

Out of curiosity, No Wur E do u have a pick of your tint?
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Old May 19, 2005 | 07:34 PM
  #900  
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To tint or not to tint?

So far I have had my car now for 5 months and I have not tinted it yet, but with summer coming I am itching to get some tint. Silver exterior / Charcoal interior...what do you guys think? I am thinking about maybe putting 25% all around plus does anybody know of a good tint place in south Fl around palm beach county? I have had limo tint in the past and man it was tough to see some nights.... has anybody put a front tint strip on their car and do you think it would look right??
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