Hi guys, sorry about all the tint questions, but bear with me...

Is it bad to leave a gap between the film and the top of the roll-down windows, and why would that be the case? I just talked to a guy that leaves an 1/8th-inch gap to "prevent the film from catching" when the window is rolled up. Also, have you ever heard of anyone tinting the entire windshield or does everyone go for the 6-inch strip across the top?

 

In general, the larger the "gap" at the edge of the glass, the less skilled the installer. He's giving you BS. I've seen tint all the way to the edge with no visible gap.

As for the windshield. I wouldn't do the whole thing. I just think of it as a safety hazard. Plus it's usually illegal for the same reason. If you were in a wreck where the fault was in question, that could be a deciding factor (the fact that your windshield was obscured in any way).

 

yeah thats true about the windshield... will it look ok to have the roll-downs all kinda dark and then only have the strip in the front?

 

Harvey, have you ever seen a tinted car before? I guarantee you if you have, then you saw a car that *ONLY* had the side and rear windows tinted, and maybe a strip across the top of the windshield. If you think that car looked ok, then I'm pretty sure you'll think the same about your car after the tint install. I'm not big on the windshield strip though... that's what yer visors are for.

 

yeahyeahyeah... by the way what % do you have?

 

The "gap" you speak of is there for a purpose. It has NOTHING to do with skill. You are correct its done this way so the tint wont catch on the guiders in th door. It stems from the days when GM would use metal guiders in their doors. Its probally a moot point with late gen cars. 90's and up since now all guiders are plastic or plastic over metal. But I would think it would be better to have the gap then to possibally re tint because of a tear.

 

I'm not a fan of the windshield strip either. Looks kinda ghetto to me.

As far as a gap goes...the more gap the less skilled the installer is exactly right. I'd look for a shop that advertises "seamless" window tinting, which means the tint goes right to the edge of the glass. Also, make sure they use one piece of tint for the rear window. Many shops use two pieces, which sometimes leads to peeling after a while.

Just my .02

Whoops, almost forgot. Any tinting on your windshield below the AS 1 line (look for "AS 1" below the factory windshield tint) is illegal. Depending on where you live you might get hassled by the police.

 

Thanks guys...

As far as the back window goes, its one piece and this guy has been doing this for years and comes well-reccommended.

Anyone heard of Llumar Film or had any experiences with it?

 

to the edge is no good..1/4 inch is too much...get it to about 1/8 to 1/16th of a inch and you're good to go.

getting it to the edge just gives it the "factory tint" look.