window tinting, any suggestions on the best way to install window tint (where to buy) Options

[garin]

Thought about tinting the celica's windows. should i buy precut? a friend told me walmart brand is ok. i thought about 5 or 20% for the rear. 20 or 35% for the sides and maybe 35 or 50% for the front. also can i do this with a friend or two or just go pro? if by myself what tools are recommended? if by a pro what is the cost?

Thanks any help is appreciated!

[jason]

Reviving an old thread i know, but there doesn't seem to be a resolution here

I recommend Llumar brand tint - doesn't fade darkness, keeps a black/gray color - aka doesn't fade to purple or green like everything else out there - even the "nice" expensive store stuff

as for tinting... i personally prefer about 5-10 for the back and about 20-35 on the sides.

dark tint on the rear window because
-you can pick your nose and the guy behind you wont know
- in seriousness... people driving behind you have a nice, long, steady view into your car, and i like my privacy - plus it gives you an extra minute or so if a cop pulls you over - to hide anything, put on your seatbelt, switch drivers, get your and especially her (if shes under 18) pants on if you still do that stuff in the car (for all you highschool kids out there)

lighter tint on the side because
-you need to see out, and people (police) should at LEAST be able to see outlines of whats going on inside - if they cant they have every reason in the world to be a dick - and they are ALOT more likely to be hostile during a traffic stop if they cannot see anything inside the vehicle for their own safety
-if you park your car on a street - its nice to be able to "check" on it when you park in a rough area at night to make sure some prick isint inside it

mixing a dark rear with lighter sides is perfectly fine, however, do NOT mix side window tints - eg 35 for the front side window, but 20 for the rear side window - it looks like sh*t and you should avoid it.

this is just my opinion based on having several cars with tint. my celica is 5 rear 35 sides, everything else has been 5 rear 20 sides and i enjoy it - a nice middle ground that keep cars looking classy instead of ghetto


and a note on tint with police - when stopped, ROLL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL - read it, understand it, do it. puts their mind at ease walking up on a tinted out car, and makes a world of difference in their attitude - especially if you know you f*cked up and caused them to pull you over.


if you are not 90% sure on doing your car on your own - spend the extra money and get it done professionally - and watch them & learn so you can do that on your own later on another car.

as for pricing - 150-180 is what you *should* expect to pay.

in your area - cooper's auto in temple/reading (i do not recommend) is 150 if you pay with cash - shades of gray in philly (i highly recommend, as do many others, check tristatetuners.com) is 180 for a 4 door sedan/suv - they do GREAT work and use great materials

in PA - aftermarket tint on any vehicle, that was not equipped from the factory is illegal on ALL windows. tint is NOT an inspection requirement, however, it is some you may be pulled over for. old tint laws were blackout with paint or anything of your choosing all windows except the front three (windshield and drivers & passengers front door windows [gull windows included as a single door window] and a 4" stip at the top of the windshield if it does not have a sunblock strip already on it [that blue or green faded tint type stuff they put in the glass])

i believe a window tint violation as itself with all current fee's and such is 109.75 - but dont quote me. the fine itself is 25 ontop of another violation - speeding etc - so if you have tinted windows and get pulled over, you will most likely get some "legit" but still bull**** ticket for the stop, and then an additional 25 fine for having tint. - the reason for the stop is "unavoidable" besides not drawing attention to yourself with aggressive driving habits.

also, a 3rd brake light (on a celica coupe its in the rear window instead of on the body) MAY be covered, and rendered inoperable as long as the vehicle has no fewer than one brake light on either corner (the two rear brake lights) - so if you want to tint the rear window fully, go right ahead - thats how my coupe is done, and its 5% tint that the light still shines through to a good degree for the 3rd brake light having use