aftermarket tint
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 84
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aftermarket tint
Hey guys, anyone have any experience with after market tint? Good, bad, recommended, not recommended. I have a quad can 350 XL (no tint) and I would like to put some stock tint on it, meaning the same tint shade that comes from factory.
1. Has anyone ever done this, how did it come out, and what did it cost?
2. What are the shades that come stock? Front, rear, back?
1. Has anyone ever done this, how did it come out, and what did it cost?
2. What are the shades that come stock? Front, rear, back?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Clearwater Fl.
I have an 01 F250 that came with smoked glass on the back windows, and the two back door windows from the factory. Factory tint is not like aftermarket tint. Factory tint is smoked glass, there is nothing stuck on the windows. I went to a auto tinting place to get my front windows tinted. The tint I have installed on my front windows is a thin film that sticks to the windows. It was not a perfect match, but was pretty darn close. It's barely noticable even if you are looking for it. So if you want your windows tinted you should go to a good place and have them tinted. A Ford dealer does not even do window tinting. If you take your truck to the dealer to have the windows tinted, they have a service that comes on the premises and will tint the windows for the dealership customers. And of course, the dealership is going to charge you more money. Good luck.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 745
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Hey guys, anyone have any experience with after market tint? Good, bad, recommended, not recommended. I have a quad can 350 XL (no tint) and I would like to put some stock tint on it, meaning the same tint shade that comes from factory.
1. Has anyone ever done this, how did it come out, and what did it cost?
2. What are the shades that come stock? Front, rear, back?
1. Has anyone ever done this, how did it come out, and what did it cost?
2. What are the shades that come stock? Front, rear, back?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
I'm not a fan of tint film, because it will ALWAYS bubble. Just a matter of time, and whether you own the vehicle long enough. But if you have no tint at all I can kind of see the need.
Here are some links to tell you what is legal.
State Window Tinting Laws
auto window tinting laws
Auto Window Tint Laws - TintCenter.com
Here are some links to tell you what is legal.
State Window Tinting Laws
auto window tinting laws
Auto Window Tint Laws - TintCenter.com
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Florida Parishes, LA
Find a local shop that has been around for awhile and get quality tint with a manufactures warranty. 3M and Madico are 2 good ones with lifetime warranty as long as it is installed by one of their shops.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
I've had aftermarket tint on my truck for 10+ years, no bubbling (more than half of its life spent in AZ). I have limo tint on the rear side windows and all across the back. The driver/passenger doors have I think 30 on them. With the factory window tint, it's a little darker. I absolutely love it, will never own another vehicle without tint. I don't have the brand of tint my buddy used, did it as a side job but it's held up great over the years.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Sam
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
As mentioned, aftermarket tint is a plastic film adhered to the glass. The plastic is softer than glass, so it is easier to scratch. This can be a problem if the window is rolled up and down. If sand or grit gets trapped between the felt and window, it will carve nice long scratches as the window goes up and down.
Also, NEVER wipe dirt off with a dry cloth - it will use the dirt as sandpaper and scratch. Lots of liquid cleaner and a frequently turned cloth (so you are always wiping with a perfectly dirt/abrasive free area of cloth) are key.
All that being said, there are DEFINITELY differences in quality and durability of films! A premium film will have a better adhesive, and will also use thin coatings on the outside layer to make it more scratch resistant. Do NOT use the cheapest film and cheapest installer you can find.... unless you want to be disappointed and have an excuse to bitch and whine. Go with an established shop and get references and talk to the references.
I have used 3M film. Even installing it myself, I had absolutely no bubbling in the 10 years I had the vehicle.
Also, NEVER wipe dirt off with a dry cloth - it will use the dirt as sandpaper and scratch. Lots of liquid cleaner and a frequently turned cloth (so you are always wiping with a perfectly dirt/abrasive free area of cloth) are key.
All that being said, there are DEFINITELY differences in quality and durability of films! A premium film will have a better adhesive, and will also use thin coatings on the outside layer to make it more scratch resistant. Do NOT use the cheapest film and cheapest installer you can find.... unless you want to be disappointed and have an excuse to bitch and whine. Go with an established shop and get references and talk to the references.
I have used 3M film. Even installing it myself, I had absolutely no bubbling in the 10 years I had the vehicle.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,313
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From: Sunny, Snowy, CO
The newer felt bars on ALL of the new(er) Fords is a lot stiffer and tends to scratch the tint. My 08 F150, 09 Fusion, wife's 07 Edge and 06 Escape all scratched a little. You can use a small birthday candle and basically wax the inside lip and it helps. If it gets real hot outside it will smear a little, but will clean right off. There's a company that sells the inside strips with more felt than hard plastic if you don't want to try the wax, but I forget the name. I agree with the poster above this that the newer film, when properly applied will not bubble, or purple.
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