To tint...or not to tint...that is the question...

[brobewlay]

I'm thinking about tinting the '83 380 SEL but I need some feedback. It's got Silver Blue exterior, blue interior. Windows are slow but operable.
Pros and cons of tinting? What kind of money to have it done correctly? Is there a premium grade or name brand? Any problems after installation? Thanks for your thoughts...Bro

[Jim Dandy]

All of my vehicles are tinted, ALL of them. In Oklahoma, I can get away with 5% on everything (no, I'm not a thug). The only real con is that you can't clean your glass with ammonia-based solvent anymore (ruins the tint).

Getting tint on a W126 ain't no picnic, let me tell you. The film has to be cut to damn near match the shape of the glass and gasket vice something like a dot matrix on newer cars, the rear door "wing vent" windows are a REAL BITCH, and the back glass SUCKS. Scared yet? I paid a friend with a tint business $240 to do two vehicles this weekend (my wife's Escape and my 420 SEL), but your price will probably be higher.

Little secret: TINT SHOPS ARE RUN BY CON ARTISTS. They try and pull this BS about "lifetime" warranty tint versus "regular" tint. IT'S ALL MADE BY JOHNSON!!! Even the stuff packaged and sold by 3M: MADE BY JOHNSON. There is no particular brand to get.

Incidentally, my friend tints cars for a large number of dealerships in the Oklahoma City area, including the Mercedes dealership in downtown OKC. If you buy a new car here and want it tinted, chances are he's the guy.

[Benzonline]

got mine done and wanst a problem. 21% charcoal tint and looks amazing!

[dennisB]

I did mine myself, I used 5% for backwindow ( one piece ) and used 15% for the rest of the windows. Pros..... easier to cool off inside in the summer , if dark enough people cant see inside, less of a chance to steal the important stuff and its good with cops cuz sometimes instead of giving you a ticket with points on your license the'll just give you a tinted windows ticket ( no points and less expensive
Cons .... Cops might bust your balls .. if dark enough its hard to see backing up ( so just roll down the window ) thats about it I think [:)]

[SVanHorne]

Before you tint, you may want to save some money for the power window gyro that's about to go out when you're on the freeway in winter time.[:D]

If you do tint, for heaven's sake ignore the twerps that insist you go "full limo", it just isn't classy.

Go 70% on the rear windows and 50% on the back-most window if you still want to have rear visibility.

But seriously, have those power windows checked out. If they need replacement, hey if ANYTHING needs replacement check out your import wreckage yard.

Best of luck.

[izzodesh]

TINT!!!
check my webpage for reasons why...
it looks nice and classy
but i would maybe wait till winter..

[Jim Dandy]

If you do tint, for heaven's sake ignore the twerps that insist you go "full limo", it just isn't classy.

Thankfully all decisions of class are not made by you. I like my stuff blacked out.

[SVanHorne]

"Thankfully all decisions of class are not made by you."

OK, you're bustin on me but that is pretty damn funny.

BTW, When you blacked yours out, was that before or after you had the chrome fender flares added and Mason badge attached to the grill? [:p]

Isn't that symbol cool? A green dude sticking his tongue out lopsided. This is the only forum that has him!

[Jim Dandy]

BTW, When you blacked yours out, was that before or after you had the chrome fender flares added and Mason badge attached to the grill?

Actually it was just before I added curb feelers.

Coincidentally, my 420 SEL used to see service at your dealership according to its records.

[dennisB]

Go 70% on the rear windows and 50% on the back-

If your going with that percentage why use tint.... 70% and 50% you wont see if you have tint on.. thats a waste of money