fromthebeginnin

Would like your opinions on windowing tinting and grades of tint, thinking about it on my W212.

What you like and don't, pro and cons (other than legal issues).

One of the things I have recently learned is that ceramic seems to be the preferred for heat reflection (not sure if that is correct), it costs more and out here on the coast comes with a lifetime warranty.

Thanks FTB

kingofire

You HAVE to tint your car FTB!!! With all the mods you have going, the car will look unfinished without a tint.

Yes ceramic tints have the highest heat rejection index. The best tint by far right now is called Huper Optik. It is expensive as well. The shop here charges $350 for it vs $200 for all other tint.

I went for the Llumar Tint because it comes close to the Huper Optik in heat rejection and it has the blackest black film on the market. It has somewhat of a gloss finish when installed so it has that "wet" look to it.

I always go for 30% tint as it is not too dark and not too light plus the cops don't hassle me for it as well.

Tint that sucker FTB!

hyperion667

yes, I agree with kingOfire......
TINT it! doing mine this week too...the shop will guide me through the
% procedure.....

enjoy!

i_am_amused

metallic tint will interfere with radio signals (cellphone...) so that is another reason to go with ceramic

i use the bluetooth "puck with tail" and therefore have to rely on my phone's internal antenna rather than the car's external antenna, so ceramic is a must for me.

depending on vehicle equipment, phone, and budget, there may be options to get your phone to use the external antenna (but that may not help your passengers)

BPhillyBenz

Go for the tinting!!! Love mine. Got 30%. Perfect.

hyperion667

anyone have their windshield tinted?
'guy' was telling me about a 70% on his windshield, says it helps with glare
and lights and what not.......and being that there is no strip on the top, seems
like it could help.....did notice an antenna of some sort on driver side.....
would this be a concern?

badblackbenz550

TINT DUDE!

BPhillyBenz

Unless you want to drive like Ray Charles (sorry I couldnt resist).

MCF

Did 35% Formula 1 Pinnacle all round and it looks real nice. Not too dark and not too light.

Johnny Mo

Did Llumar 20% on back window and 35% on the sides

hyperion667

I guess I'll ask to see his windshield first......wonder what the reasoning is behind the 'no strip' on the top.......depending on that philosophy, I may get some there too......
you guys even do the back? with the sunscreen there and all?
guess it would look kind of funny without tint on the back eh?

mg-E550

I want tint like they have in knight rider where you press a button and the windows darken. Has that been invented yet?

K-A

Yes, sort of.

Check out M-B's new "Magic Sky Control" in the upcoming SLK (extremely stupid name).

mg-E550

Nice!! That is the kind of tint i want for my car!!!! Unfortunately looks like it will be a $3,000 option just for the roof on the slk. (like a contractor who was doing some remodeling in my house recently told me...."it's only money")

K-A

Lol. It is "only money" after-all. How much does it cost to print that paper anyway?

fromthebeginnin

I think this is a great look, probably a 20%, photo was way too big, instead go to the link, click on the photo.

http://www.vossenwheels.com/gallery/...0107213233.jpg

MagicJack

I am getting my car tinted today with Huper Optik 50%.

I miss the visor tint on older MB and BMW's so I am also getting a 4-6" visor tint probably at 30 or 40%.

I'll post pre/post pictures later today or this weekend.

i_am_amused

about 20 years here

hyperion667

it just dawned on me why there is no strip.....the cameras? the sensors??
guess I'll skip that section directly affected.....but that strip seems crucial....
maybe I'm just that used to having one there....

K-A

I don't think the strip is that big a deal once you get un-used to it. I had it on my Mustang years back. It gives a cooler more "low profile" look, but at the same time, could look tacky on a car like this, if it's too dark of a "banner" look, IMO.

As for the tints. I throw efficiency and caution to the wind, and like 'em black as sh*t.

fromthebeginnin

Thanks guys.

KA that looks great, have to wait two weeks for my tinting, everyone in Cali is at the SEMA show. Still not too sure on the percent, I'll figure that out when I get there.

FTB

MagicJack

Got my car back.

They scratched the paint in the rear passenger doorsill and cracked the lower plastic doorsill frame on the rear drivers side. God da!@#. !

Good amount of light artifact on the defrost bars through the rear - they said the water needs a few weeks to evaporate especially with thick HO tint.

Right now I am regretful for doing this.

I think the 50% is a good choice for functionality but I'd go for 40% or less if you are seeking a more noticable/edgy look.

To someone who asked: They tint from the inside so the optical camera is not affected for a visor tint on car's with Driver's assist package.

I think I'll end up liking the visor tint but it would be cooler if it had a gradient like aviator glasses.

Re: tinting the front windshield, I'd stay clear and stick with good polarized sunglasses.

K-A

Wow?! I can't believe they damaged the car. Did they agree to it? Are they gonna fix it?

Where did you go/where do you live?

Brett928

I am getting my car tinted this weekend 20% all around and 5% for the strip on the windshield. I had it done my 06 E350 & 08 E350 and loved it wouldn't do anything else. I had 35% before on my older car and was just too light for me. I also feel it depends on the color of the car and interior color of what percentage to do just my opinion.

MagicJack

Here are pics of 50% Huper Optik tint all around and a 40% visor tint.
The post pics are on a darker day so this makes it look darker than it actually is.


Re damage: This is in Durham. I had it tinted at the Lexus dealer -- this is where the 'authorized' Huper Optik tinter works around here. I am working on getting the damaged it fixed.