Window Tinting - recommendations required

[Pii]

Hi Guys

Was just thinking today how nice it would be to tint the windows but am not sure how dark to do the fronts. I don't particularly want to be pulled for 'unacceptable' darkness on the front windows.

I dislike the idea of the rear windows being alot darker than the fronts and feel it's a waste of money to just have a light tint on front and back.

What has everyone gone for or recommend against doing?

Can anyone recommend a decent establishment down South London / Surrey areas? What are the typical costs on a 3 door S3.

Thanks
Pii

 

[V6Pete]

If you tint the fronts dark enough to match a dark rear tint, then you are asking to be pulled over.

Your choices are dark tint all round and risk getting pulled (we won't even go into the safety issues), light tint all round, or a lighter tint at the front than the back.

You don't seem to like any of the 3 options, so not sure what else you can do!!!!

 

[smudge_don]

I don't even bother with tinting the fronts now Phillip, just asking for trouble from the police, especially around our area.

If you must get something on the fronts, get a very very light smoke and then a dark smoke on the rear

I've got a mate over near Staines that do an excellent job, and lifetime guarantee as well

PM me when you're next on and i'll give you the details

 

[garyburton29]

I had my front tints removed a few weeks ago...They weren't that dark but I've heard that you can get points now etc. The factory tints are good anyway on my fronts windows...PLUS car insurance void...!!! ( I think )

 

[AuldReekie]

The information you need to stay legal is linked in the FAQs.

 

[smudge_don]

The information you need to stay legal is linked in the FAQs.

Basically, if you want to be legal, you have NOTHING on the fronts

 

[AuldReekie]

Basically, if you want to be legal, you have NOTHING on the fronts

Where do you get that from? The VOSA guidlines (in the FAQs) state you are permitted 30% tint/70% light transfer on front windows.

 

[smudge_don]

Where do you get that from? The VOSA guidlines (in the FAQs) state you are permitted 30% tint/70% light transfer on front windows.

Really?

I've just been told by 3 traffic cops and a mate of mine who runs a tinting/audio place

 

[Pii]

If you tint the fronts dark enough to match a dark rear tint, then you are asking to be pulled over.

Your choices are dark tint all round and risk getting pulled (we won't even go into the safety issues), light tint all round, or a lighter tint at the front than the back.

You don't seem to like any of the 3 options, so not sure what else you can do!!!!

That's my dilema! I think I'm just being awkward!

 

[Pii]

I don't even bother with tinting the fronts now Phillip, just asking for trouble from the police, especially around our area.

If you must get something on the fronts, get a very very light smoke and then a dark smoke on the rear

I've got a mate over near Staines that do an excellent job, and lifetime guarantee as well



PM me when you're next on and i'll give you the details

PM coming your way dude!

 

[smudge_don]

That's my dilema! I think I'm just being awkward!

Pretty much :icon_thumright:

Get the damn RNS-E done 1st

Btw, you know you were asking me the other night about the steering wheel going shiney, i think the RS6 wheel is a slightly different material to yours Phillip

 

[AuldReekie]

Really?

I've just been told by 3 traffic cops and a mate of mine who runs a tinting/audio place

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Tinted Windows Oct 2008.pdf

I am merely pointing out the legal position and cannot answer what people have told you. I looked into getting the fronts tinted and went to a reputable company who pointed out that they couldn't match the rears (or anywhere near it for that matter). When he put his light doodaa on the window you can see it comes tinted from factory, to a certain degree; I can't remember how much exactly. I the end I left it as he would only fit a tint with 15% or something, which looked damn near clear. So to that extent I agree with you - don't put anything on the front. But the legal answer is as linked above.

 

[smudge_don]

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Tinted Windows Oct 2008.pdf

I am merely pointing out the legal position and cannot answer what people have told you. I looked into getting the fronts tinted and went to a reputable company who pointed out that they couldn't match the rears (or anywhere near it for that matter). When he put his light doodaa on the window you can see it comes tinted from factory, to a certain degree; I can't remember how much exactly. I the end I left it as he would only fit a tint with 15% or something, which looked damn near clear. So to that extent I agree with you - don't put anything on the front. But the legal answer is as linked above.

Hmmm, fair enough

lol @ "light doodaa"

 

[Pii]

Pretty much :icon_thumright:

Get the damn RNS-E done 1st

Btw, you know you were asking me the other night about the steering wheel going shiney, i think the RS6 wheel is a slightly different material to yours Phillip

Choices choices!

Windows tint shades..

RNS-E or aftermarket - yup, still there!!

RS6 wheel material - how different is it? I know its perforated but the rest must be the same.. ?

 

[smudge_don]

Well i've got an A4 avant atm with a standard wheel and it feels different, smoother

The RS6 wheels seems a bit rougher somehow...

 

[Pii]

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Tinted Windows Oct 2008.pdf

I am merely pointing out the legal position and cannot answer what people have told you. I looked into getting the fronts tinted and went to a reputable company who pointed out that they couldn't match the rears (or anywhere near it for that matter). When he put his light doodaa on the window you can see it comes tinted from factory, to a certain degree; I can't remember how much exactly. I the end I left it as he would only fit a tint with 15% or something, which looked damn near clear. So to that extent I agree with you - don't put anything on the front. But the legal answer is as linked above.

Thanks for the clarity around this. Shame tints didnt work out for you. Maybe I'll end up in the same boat..

 

[Pii]

Well i've got an A4 avant atm with a standard wheel and it feels different, smoother

The RS6 wheels seems a bit rougher somehow...

Wonder if it's down to the RS6 being new?

 

[PH1L]

i got mine done pretty heavily on the rear, i can't recall the actual value, though i did get the fronts measured to see how much tint is on them as std and its basically at the legal limit give or take a few percent so any tint film you stick on regardless of its value is gonna put it over. i just did the rears, looks fine might get the sunstrip done though im looking to punt the motor this year (even after all the time and money i spent correcting it!)

 

[Pii]

i got mine done pretty heavily on the rear, i can't recall the actual value, though i did get the fronts measured to see how much tint is on them as std and its basically at the legal limit give or take a few percent so any tint film you stick on regardless of its value is gonna put it over. i just did the rears, looks fine might get the sunstrip done though im looking to punt the motor this year (even after all the time and money i spent correcting it!)

Oh sounds like rears only.... what car are you thinking of next?

 

[tku]

I think front windows are slightly tinted when they come out the factory..almost 70% so tinting them any darker will be illegal.

 

[AjM]

Just to clarify. Any tints on the front is illegal as standard tints on windows of all cars made after 2001 (and most before) will take you at or damn near the limit. The penalty's are a verbal warning and pull off at the roadside if just over, £30 non endorsable fine and then is below 30% light coming through 3 points and £60. HOWEVER if you get stopped by VOSA or a prohibition trained traffic cop you can have your car impounded for being un-roadworthy as well as the aforementioned penalty's.

 

[PH1L]

Oh sounds like rears only.... what car are you thinking of next?

Solar Orange s3 or a black edition 2.0Tfsi Quattro A3 in Ibis white, got them both planned out depends on the level of funds and what car comes up when im ready

 

[Pii]

Solar Orange s3 or a black edition 2.0Tfsi Quattro A3 in Ibis white, got them both planned out depends on the level of funds and what car comes up when im ready

Sounds good! Hope it all works out for you

 

[Pii]

Just to clarify. Any tints on the front is illegal as standard tints on windows of all cars made after 2001 (and most before) will take you at or damn near the limit. The penalty's are a verbal warning and pull off at the roadside if just over, £30 non endorsable fine and then is below 30% light coming through 3 points and £60. HOWEVER if you get stopped by VOSA or a prohibition trained traffic cop you can have your car impounded for being un-roadworthy as well as the aforementioned penalty's.

Thanks for the information guys :icon_thumright:

 

[PH1L]

best pic ive got on hand, not got one on its side, one for the weekend i think

 

[chris1988brown]

ive got light smoke all round and had no bother, my previous car was exactly the same and had no bother in 3 year

 

[matt_white88]

Just to repeat what other have said in the front your windows must let in at least 70% of light and most cars come out the factory like this so you can't put anything on the legally.

On a previous car I got really dark in front and back and after about 6 months of having them on I got pulled over when I was in Manchester by traffic cops and got told to pull them off there and then otherwise they were taking my car even though I was on my way back home to London.

I got them done at autoshades in Sutton and they are very good:

http://www.autoshades.co.uk/

 

[Pii]

Hey guys

Just another note to say thanks for the advice and recommendations.

I'm grateful for the support from the ASN community for all the newbie questions I have been asking :icon_thumright:

 

[garyburton29]

Just to repeat what other have said in the front your windows must let in at least 70% of light and most cars come out the factory like this so you can't put anything on the legally.

On a previous car I got really dark in front and back and after about 6 months of having them on I got pulled over when I was in Manchester by traffic cops and got told to pull them off there and then otherwise they were taking my car even though I was on my way back home to London.

I got them done at autoshades in Sutton and they are very good:

http://www.autoshades.co.uk/

I get my cars done at autoshades. They also took the front ones off recently as well...£50..Rather that, than have your car insurance void. A few insurance companies I've rang and they've said your ins will be void if having tints on the front....So not been able to claim and paying for ins is defeating the object i think...

 

[10blazin]

I got mine medium all round and they look much better than dark back light front tbh ...And ive never had a pull over them , I had a pull once becuase of all the audi's being nicked in my area and they never mentioned the window's and ive had my car just over a year , mediums arnt to dark you can still see in the car at the front because the front screen lets light in but because the back is tinted it gets darker as you get to the back and look's much better imho ...

I guess you either take the chance or you dont and it all boils down to luck but like i say i live in a crime hotspot and get loads of traffic cops checking my car out and ive never been pulled over my window's

 

[AjM]

The other way of looking at it is, do you want a reason to be pulled over? It is like having illegal number plates, people have them cos they think they look good (each to there own i am not judging) but then complain when they get stopped and get tickets?? The only thing to consider is that with windows the penalty's can be more serious like having your car taken away, is it worth it? Whilst you may go years without being stopped (or stopped and them not noticed), you WILL be, one day......

 

[Lee_R]

Just be aware that the same tint can look darker on S3/S-lines to other models because all the interior trim is black