Window Tint
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From: Nova / Rockville
Custom CLK / 05 E500 4matic / 04 Acura TL <<Daily
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From: Bellevue, WA
'02 CLK 430 & '02 Lincoln Navigator
Yeah, I dont know what I would do with out the fronts being tinted. 120 degrees over the week and my car is a sauna. I notice all the Highway Patrol have their cars blacked out...so different than Cali.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Hawaii Law
Just got my 02 CLK430 on the 4th of July. First and only thing I've done so far was to remove the 20% 3M tint and replace it with 35% ceramic. Hawaii law allows 35% max for front/sides, and rear. Limo okay for rear/sides, and no tint allowed for front. Kinda disapointed that the 35% didn't look as good as the 20%, but I'm real paranoid about being stopped for something incidental and just happen to have alcohol breath.
Ceramic tint is really cool. The heat block is way more important than the shading. This stuff keep the car cool. 35% front/sides and rear, 20% rear/sides, 5% on the sunroof, 85% on the front (although illegal). Car left out in the Hawaii sun all day has only a fraction of the heat in the cab of what the original 20% used to let in. Must also be better for the leather. Higly recommend ceramic in lieu of conventional or metalic.
Just my POV
Ceramic tint is really cool. The heat block is way more important than the shading. This stuff keep the car cool. 35% front/sides and rear, 20% rear/sides, 5% on the sunroof, 85% on the front (although illegal). Car left out in the Hawaii sun all day has only a fraction of the heat in the cab of what the original 20% used to let in. Must also be better for the leather. Higly recommend ceramic in lieu of conventional or metalic.
Just my POV
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
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From: San Diego
01 CLK 55
tint
I was told to go with a ceramic type film vs. the metallic type do to the radio antenna going through the window. Is there any truth to the metallic film disturbing the radio reception??
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From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
Just got my 02 CLK430 on the 4th of July. First and only thing I've done so far was to remove the 20% 3M tint and replace it with 35% ceramic. Hawaii law allows 35% max for front/sides, and rear. Limo okay for rear/sides, and no tint allowed for front. Kinda disapointed that the 35% didn't look as good as the 20%, but I'm real paranoid about being stopped for something incidental and just happen to have alcohol breath.
Ceramic tint is really cool. The heat block is way more important than the shading. This stuff keep the car cool. 35% front/sides and rear, 20% rear/sides, 5% on the sunroof, 85% on the front (although illegal). Car left out in the Hawaii sun all day has only a fraction of the heat in the cab of what the original 20% used to let in. Must also be better for the leather. Higly recommend ceramic in lieu of conventional or metalic.
Just my POV
Ceramic tint is really cool. The heat block is way more important than the shading. This stuff keep the car cool. 35% front/sides and rear, 20% rear/sides, 5% on the sunroof, 85% on the front (although illegal). Car left out in the Hawaii sun all day has only a fraction of the heat in the cab of what the original 20% used to let in. Must also be better for the leather. Higly recommend ceramic in lieu of conventional or metalic.
Just my POV
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 476
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From: Orange County, CA
CLK 430
I have suntek on my car and i guess that it is the metalic kind and i have no problems at all with reception, in fact i actually get really good reception, i can still get local radio station when i go to the beach which is almost 2 hours away from where i live.
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 476
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From: Orange County, CA
CLK 430
and as for tint taking away from the classyness I don't think so at all. if that was the case then Bently's and other higher end cars would be class-less don't ya think? to each their own tho
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: OC, CA
1999 CLK430 (sold) 03 CL55
thats a bad rule imo. I have black interior and blacked out windows look hot. I don't know who made that rule up, but I think that they should reconsider.
and as for tint taking away from the classyness I don't think so at all. if that was the case then Bently's and other higher end cars would be class-less don't ya think? to each their own tho
and as for tint taking away from the classyness I don't think so at all. if that was the case then Bently's and other higher end cars would be class-less don't ya think? to each their own tho
Damn, well my tint is starting to bubble & peel (ugh pissing me off) and my side windows make so much damn noise because it's starting to peel off on the sides and when I drive on the freeway it gets worse, I have to tap my roll down window to get rid of the noise somewhat and now I'm a bit tough on what new tint I should get I don't know whether I should go ceramic tint or stay with my original Metallic tint, I like the Metallic because I had it but the car is so damn hot...so i dunno if Ceramic will help this problem and look good? I might go a bit darker on the side windows, I'll leave my back windows as is with the same tint (dunno what it is to be honest) and I might even take the risk of tinting the front window because I need to keep the sun away.
help anyone? lol
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: NorCal
BMW
In the day, you can somewhat tell my windows are dark with a bit of blue-ish tint, but at night, they're completely black, and I don't think it takes away the classiness. I agree with Devil, to each their own.
John, go with better quality tint film. Your car deserves the best
Make sure to get a lifetime warranty too.
I got 3M film. The guy said that it'll rarely peel, fade, or bubble up. But if it does, that's where the lifetime warrany comes in handy.
How long have you had the tint on your car?
John, go with better quality tint film. Your car deserves the best
Make sure to get a lifetime warranty too.
I got 3M film. The guy said that it'll rarely peel, fade, or bubble up. But if it does, that's where the lifetime warrany comes in handy.
How long have you had the tint on your car?
Last edited by Jessica90; Jul 26, 2007 at 03:17 PM.
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From: Southern California
2017 W205 C43 AMG
Thread Starter
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From: NorCal
BMW
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Scratches and Blisters
Most Mercedes models require application of felt strips on the inside of the operable windows. The factory rubber molding will damage tint in no time without it. Most tint shops charge about $5/window to do this. It also better helps keep the tint clean and eliminate any squeaks. It's a must if you want your new tint to last.
Did an actual heat lamp test with the tint shop techs to determine heat transfer through different tints. 85% ceramic tint actually blocked more heat than 20% 3M and Metallics. There is actually another high tech tint that blocks even more heat transfer than ceramic. However, it's kinda new, and the shops arn't comfortable giving warranty for this product yet.
Did an actual heat lamp test with the tint shop techs to determine heat transfer through different tints. 85% ceramic tint actually blocked more heat than 20% 3M and Metallics. There is actually another high tech tint that blocks even more heat transfer than ceramic. However, it's kinda new, and the shops arn't comfortable giving warranty for this product yet.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: NorCal
BMW
Did not know that. Thanks for the heads up. Will def. do that to my next car.
Too late to do anything now, but I'm not worried too much. I'm sure my tint will be fine next year. That's when I'm planning on selling the car. Plus it doesn't get hot here. Our weather is usually 65 degrees/partly cloudy/cloudy.
On our old E class, we had our windows tinted, not sure what kind, but I think suntek. 3 years later, when we sold it, it was still in good condition.
here are some pics before we sold the car;
Too late to do anything now, but I'm not worried too much. I'm sure my tint will be fine next year. That's when I'm planning on selling the car. Plus it doesn't get hot here. Our weather is usually 65 degrees/partly cloudy/cloudy.
On our old E class, we had our windows tinted, not sure what kind, but I think suntek. 3 years later, when we sold it, it was still in good condition.
here are some pics before we sold the car;
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Joined: Jul 2007
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virginia laws
I'm thinking about going 35% on tint in Virginia, but it looks like 50% is max legal light transmission...anyone have 35% (or lower) and not been harassed by the cops? I'd hate to just go 50%, but if it means not getting harassed, it's worth it, sadly 
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'02 MB CLK 320
I went to Omega Tintworks in the Bay with the intention of doing a 20% and ended up getting an 18% ceramic tint and havent had an issue with the police. The tint looks really good and not overkill.
