Got her tinted :) Pics.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:14 pm

Hey y'all,

I really tried with this car to leave her alone and stay a law-abiding citizen... (in the state of PA the law requires all five windows to omit 70% of light through)...but I just COULDN'T do it! lol

I'll tell you...I don't know how people stand non-tinted windows! Every car I've ever owned, I've had tinted...the blinding lights at night; people gawking at you at red lights; etc. etc.

So, here's the little story. I called on Monday and discussed with my guy that I wanted to get a 2003 Neon tinted, 30%, all the way around. He quotes me the usual $199+tax and schedules me for Friday at 11am. Well, I show up to my appointment and run into the installer (who happens to be OCD which I LOVE. If it isn't perfect the first time, he literally rips the tint off and starts over!)

So, he informs me he is completely out of 30%...AND 35%. Now, when I had 20% all around on a previous car, I did get stopped & fined by two state troopers (hence why I stuck to 30%-35% afterwards). Well, he wasn't getting in a new shipment for 3-4 days and I was not waiting another night (to be blinded once again!) so I said "Ah screw it. I was in between going 20 & 30%...throw on the 20!" So...with further ado..here she is

The pics would have been even clearer but I dropped my phone a couple months ago and just so happened to scratch the damn lens...out of all places!

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sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:20 pm

That doesn't look very dark for 20% tint.. PA tint laws suck. I just want to get 35% tint but I know my dad would give me a bad time about it since he inspects my cars for me.

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:25 pm

Looking good, but I agree with Ryan. It doesn't look dark enough to be %20. Maybe it's the white snow in the background.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:20 pm

lol yea it's the combo of the snow and the height/position I had my phone. It was actively snowing & freezing when I took 'em though so I just snapped them and went inside haha I was actually going to make a comment up above that the windows appear to be lighter, but in person they're about pure black. Lifetime warranty on the tint though - so if it ever bubbles, discolors, fades, etc. they'll replace it for free. I'll try to get better pics tomorrow if it isn't as cloudy

My next thought was to get some extra 20% tint and tint over the 3rd brake/tails. But I can't decide. With tint vs nightshades at least I can remove it if the cops ever b1tch about it. But if I did decide to tint the tails, I can't make up my mind if I'd want to cut out the reverse lights or just tint it all

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:19 am

Tint is not made for the outside. It'll fall off long before you get pulled over for it. The car looks good though!

UriahRR · Post by **UriahRR** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:36 am

I have %10 all the way around and only got pulled over once here in PA. It's all how grumpy the officer feels that day.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:44 am

darth!! What's up brother?

Haven't talked to you in a while haha Thanks man - she's coming along from what she was before...I'll have to upload the pics from the accident so you can compare and see the work I did

It's all how grumpy the officer feels that day.

Yea man I agree with you. I think it's total bullsh1t too to pull someone over specifically for window tint when 1/2 of the country has their windows illegally tinted.

Just because we have dark windows doesn't mean we're all drug dealers & gang members looking to cause trouble. When it comes to the officer's safety, as in approaching a vehicle he pulled over (For a LEGITIMATE reason like doing 85mph in a 55mph zone), c'mon! Who doesn't already have their window down before he even gets out of his car? Stupid...

I bet half of the friggin' officer's have their own personal vehicles illegally tinted

There are more benefits to window tint then cons. It blocks the sun's harmful UV rays thus helping in the prevention of skin cancer (sorry, I'm a nurse LOL), it prevents glass from shattering in the event of an accident or vandalism; it protects the driver's eyes at night from glare through the rear-view mirror (mostly from those a$$holes who install HID's in halogen housings); if a thief can't see what's inside, he's less likely to waste time breaking in... etc. etc.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 1:31 pm

Dark tint also prohibits you from seeing clearly through side view mirrors and rear view mirrors meaning you aren't as aware of your surroundings as you should be. Plus add the fact that an office cannot see into the REAR of your car while approaching... which, as we all know, is how a cop approaches. So you could very well have a gun pointed out the window and he wouldn't notice it until he sees the muzzle flash.

You're right, most people a cop pulls over are not going to try and kill them... but it only takes one, and that is the reasoning for tint laws.

If you are so worried about cancer and glare... wear sunglasses and sunblock.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:28 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:Dark tint also prohibits you from seeing clearly through side view mirrors and rear view mirrors meaning you aren't as aware of your surroundings as you should be.

It doesn't affect your ability to see any more clear than cars that come standard with auto-tinting rear view mirrors & side mirrors. My Audi had them on both side mirrors, not just the driver. Believe me, if a driver is THAT bad at using mirrors, or simply turning his head to look behind him - maybe he shouldn't be on the road?

As far as the cops go - yes, I agree with you on the fact that they approach from the rear of the vehicle and with or without window tint, their lives are constantly at risk. But guess what - they chose that career. Nobody forced them. I have many friends who are law enforcement officers. However, if you are going to make a tint-law due to reasons as you just stated, they should be carried and applied to every state, not just certain ones if it is truly a law due to the fact of an officer's safety/life at risk.

According to the information from tintlaws.com -

FLA laws allow: 28% Front Sides, 15% Rear Sides, 15% Rear Window.
TX laws allow: 25% Front Sides, 25% Rear Sides, ANY% Rear Window.
OH (my neighboring state): 50% Front Sides, ANY% all other.
IL (YOUR state): 70% Front Sides, ANY% all other. Must be nice, dude.
CA laws allow: 70% Front Sides, ANY% all other.

PA and RI are the ONLY two states, out of the 50 states, that require all 5 windows to be 70%. AK is next on the list of limitations that requires your back to be 40% or lighter (which is still pretty dark.) ALL other states allow your back window to be 35% or darker - with most of the limits either being 20% as the darkest, or ANY% allowed.

Also, out of 50 states, only 12 states have tint laws regarding the Front Sides to remain at 70% (factory window).
.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:39 pm

You got your windows tinted. You know the risks, we know the laws, we know you are going to keep it that way because you like it. Keep it civil - end of story.

Congrats, I'm not a big fan of tint, but if it works for you then:

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:41 pm

First off, watch what you say. This is a public forum here and if you don't want to hear other people's opinions, don't post. I will post in any thread I want whether my opinion goes with or against the person who created it.

That said...

Auto darkening mirrors only darken when lights are shone right in them, and they do not prohibit someone from seeing what is behind them. However 20% tint won't allow you to see what is back there when you don't have bright lights shining right in the mirror, which is pretty much exactly the point I was making.

As far as your cops choosing their careers argument, yes cops do choose that career. However if a state feels that they need to do something to make a cops job more safe why shouldn't they do it? The federal government allows each state to make laws as they see fit on things above and beyond federal law, which is exactly what we see here. If you don't like the tint law where you live then move. It's a very simple solution.

No argument you try to make will change anything about the facts I have presented here, so stop trying to sound all high and mighty by showing off a website you googled. I have looked at tint laws as well, big deal. Those states that have less strict regulations on tint obviously feel it is less of a problem than the states who have the more strict laws.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 2:56 pm

Ok, well not to upset anyone due to vulgarity - I did remove the last remark.

In regards to the auto-dimming mirror remark: have you ever driven a truck/suv/van with OEM tinted windows? They are 20%. Sure, the front windows are not tinted, but as far as the rear view mirror, it is the same thing. I have had 5 vehicles tinted, and never once had a problem seeing out of my mirrors w/ the tint, even at night. You either know how to drive, or you don't. You should drive what you are perfectly capable of driving: what I mean by that is, if someone has bad vision, then yes, I agree with you - maybe they shouldn't have tinted windows. Just like that mother driving that Yukon Denali XL who can't park to save her life should be looking at Rav4's instead. LOL

However, obviously TheRandom1 and I have different opinions. We are all entitled. But honestly, TheRandom - you make the argument that you are going to post your opinion in any thread you want - That's perfectly fine and you're entitled. However, your post was directed at attacking me by your little comment at the end. Not at the topic "window tint." So, in regards to that comment, I got defensive as anyone who feels they're being ridiculed, would do.

I'm not on here to pick fights so I'm going to apologize, and hope you can as well.

Bottom line I was trying to make: Yes, officer's are out to enforce the laws (in each and every state, even if they are different in each state). I said from the beginning that tint has its pros and cons. IMHO, I feel it has more pros (what I mentioned above) than cons (a cop's life for example). I feel that it is unfair, as with any state law, that we are a country who doesn't even follow each other among states. How "united" are we, truly? We can't even enforce a law in one state, and have it carry onto the next. *shrugs* I don't know.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:25 pm

03SXTGUY wrote:darth!! What's up brother? Haven't talked to you in a while haha Thanks man - she's coming along from what she was before...I'll have to upload the pics from the accident so you can compare and see the work I did

Not much! Just work and school and the internet in-between, lol. Looking forward to the pictures!

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:34 pm

Auto-dimming mirrors and such... yes, I have driven dozens of vehicles, some with factory tinting, some without and a factory tint isn't a big deal. It's not at all what I'm talking about. From what I recall, a factory OEM tint is actually about 75%, meaning it will allow 75% of light to pass through, so I don't know where you get 20% from unless you mean certain vehicles with a "tint package" which is 20-30% on rear windows only. You can still see out the side windows. Perhaps you have your numbers confused?

Therefore, if you had a very light tint (OEM style) you are right, you can still see everything just fine. You however, are saying your tint blocks 80% of light coming through, meaning your windows should be much much closer than an OEM front window.

Now, with this part of the discussion straightened out, let's focus on what happens when light is not transmitted... shit gets dark. Meaning that when you are trying to see through this tint in a less than perfectly lit area (backing into a parking spot at night for example) you cannot tell how close you are to a car (assuming you can see the car at all) and are therefore less aware of your surroundings (see what I did there?) than you should be.

As far as my initial comment goes if it was truly offensive then I also apologize. However, the statement still holds true. If you are that worried about light and cancer you need sunblock (you do have to walk from the car to the building, after all) and sunglasses. Besides, you spend most of your time looking forward through the windshield which must remain untinted, negating the benefits of the side and back windows.

Now, I won't even comment more on how you think your potential cancer scare is worth more than the life of another human being, but I will comment that one of the great things about this country is that we do in fact have laws that go from state to state. For example, drugs are illegal in every state. Murder is illegal in every state. Theft is illegal in every state. Each form of government can choose to add things they will enforce that go above and beyond the federal law however. Window tint falls into that category. Emissions laws are another example. Therefore, why is it such a big deal if one state enforces a law that states you must allow a certain percentage of light while another state wants to concern itself with other things?

Is window tinting such a big deal in every state that it needs to be regulated by federal law? No, it does not. Not to mention even if it WERE a federal law, each state could add to it. For example, if Washington stated that all vehicles must allow 60% of light through, PA or IL or any other state could step in and say that's all fine and good, but in that state, they want a higher standard, say 70% of light.

All in all your argument is holding less water than a bottomless bucket here...

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:36 pm

Alright guys. You're now boring me to death.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:38 pm

Then check out other threads.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:40 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:Then check out other threads.

This is the only one that's active.

Let it go, Sean. Just let it go.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:51 pm

RI's law is like that because a state trooper was shot at by a guy in the backseat of a dark tinted Cadillac when the driver was pulled over on Interstate 295. They changed the laws after that to protect fellow officers who are simply trying to do their job. If someone in RI has a medical excuse then an exemption certificate is issued but not after months - years of the medical board reviewing it and approving it based on a valid, documented condition not "my doctor says I have this today so I do". To date there are ~240 of these statewide.

OEM glass is 70%, says it right on the stamp.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:06 pm

TheRandom - I'm done arguing with you.

Honestly this thread was to never start an argument, to everyone else reading it and my apologies.

FACT: 70% glass is indeed what an OEM windshield (as Crystal stated), front/rear side windows, and the rear window on passenger sedans, looks like. They come light tinted because we all know that we would not be able to withstand the glare and brightness through pure glass. The percentage stands for the amount of light PERMITTED to shine through. Not the amount of light blocked.

FACT: The four rear windows (two rear passenger, two rear sides of the open cargo area) and the rear window on the majority of SUVs, Trucks (esp. crew cabs) and Passenger/Family Vans (i.e. Dodge Caravan) are indeed 20% tinted. (20% of light is omitting through.) The reason why the factory tints these windows is due to the safety fact (as I stated above about deterring thieves) that these vehicles indeed have an open cargo area, not a closed trunk like ourselves.

FACT: Limo tint allows 5% of light to omit through, meaning it is almost purely blacked out.

For anyone wanting a comparison who is considering tinting their windows:

(Left -> Right) 50% | 35% | 20% | 15% | 5%

To everyone else, I am done. My apologies, once again. I'll let him rant and rave all he wants...I won't bore you again.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:08 pm

Soooo... you're saying in your post that the information I posted is incorrect even though you stated the EXACT SAME INFORMATION I posted?

Kudos, you fail at reading. And no, I'm not arguing just to argue, I'm arguing because you seem to have your head in your ass and jumped on my shit for no reason and I'm trying to get you to see that you are in fact wrong.

Go ahead, walk away now.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:16 pm

Yep.... 70% OEM and 20% (most often sometimes a hair lighter) on OEM sunroofs, and B-pillars back in minivans, SUVs, etc.

70% blocks 30% of light and lets 70% in
20% blocks 80% of light and lets 20% in

So yeah you have it right.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:18 pm

Thank you Crystal. I am not new to cars or to tint

But anyhow, how are ya? D'you end up changing or keeping the yellow in the tails? (IMHO I think you should keep it - I like it)

DetergentCandy · Post by **DetergentCandy** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:55 pm

Tint always makes a car look better

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:17 pm

lol detergent - where'd you find that side decal? I saw a guy driving around campus with one similar that went down the sides and up over the wing. He had a black decal on a silver SXT and I thought it looked pretty good.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 4:22 pm

The 'Cuda stripes?

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 4:26 pm

Ryan is from your area and he did have the cudas on his car, but not over the spoiler.

iThane · Post by **iThane** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 5:37 pm

your car could use a wash

tint looks good! for some reason everyone thought i got new rims when i
tinted my windows... ?? the only thing i don't like about having such dark
tint in the back, is that backing up at night totally sucks.. i've almost hit a
power box and a car because i can't see anything. it looks really nice, but
its a pain at night.

any future plans for the car besides debadging??

UriahRR · Post by **UriahRR** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:22 pm

iThane wrote:the only thing i don't like about having such dark
tint in the back, is that backing up at night totally sucks.. i've almost hit a power box and a car because i can't see anything.

Indeed sir, I had this same problem until I got the depot led tail lights. These reverse lights are like two flashlights shining behind you. Ugly during the day, but damn useful to see through garbage-bag-dark tint.

03SXTGUY · Post by **03SXTGUY** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:39 pm

darth: Yea I guess that's what stripes I'm referring too...those are it in the picture by Danteneon. I don't think this neon I see driving around campus is Ryan, and he definitely has the cuda stripes going up over the spoiler...possibly this person continued them in a custom job?

iThane: LOL thanks for the compliment - about the wash...do you see how much snow is around the car?

It was freezing cold, had just snowed like 5" and the roads are a slushy mess, even still. I did wash her 2 days before that...didn't matter apparently haha I didn't even get home from the car wash and the sides were filthy again!

Future plans besides debadging...? Are you talking to me? lol I don't recall ever mentioning plans to debadge the neon...I debadged my Audi A6 but I'm not putting anything into this car. It's a salvage title that I fixed myself after my sister totaled it 12/2009. I guess I have had a couple ideas run through my head but nothing big

I always say I'll leave a car stock and I NEVER can. But I lost about $20k on the Audi so I'm sort of learning my lesson on putting big bucks into a car. I'm starting to realize it's just a car. Most people who buy it afterwards, don't want all of that add-on sheet anyways b/c it's all your own taste...it might not be theirs. Unless of course it improves the overall function (i.e. if you spent a lot of money putting retrofit HID projectors and a good HID kit in over factory halogen).

About the dark tint and reverse...hmmm I've never had a problem. I think factory reverse lights on all cars suck, IMHO. LOL The only car I owned that I thought had somewhat good OEM reverses was my '02 Grand AM GT1 - only b/c there were reverse lights in the tail lamps as well as ones as big as fog lights in the rear bumper! haha

CaLiBuM · Post by **CaLiBuM** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:48 pm

Hey i posted pics of my silver sxt in the depo headlight post