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Date:         Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:28:34 -0700
Reply-To:     "John Connolly, Aircooled.Net" <john@AIRCOOLED.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John Connolly, Aircooled.Net" <john@AIRCOOLED.NET>
Subject:      Re: Window Tint Asthetics
Comments: To: "Dr.Chris" <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

here's my input. Do NOT go real dark on the rear window, it makes backing up at night dangerous (BTDT). The side windows are not a problem.

John

----- Original Message ----- From: "Dr.Chris" <gronski@GMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 9:18 AM Subject: Window Tint Asthetics

> Hi All, > > I'm just about ready to put my rear closet back in, but before I do so > I'm going to get my windows tinted. I've checked my local laws and on > the back five windows I can pretty much go as dark as I want. So now > it is just a question of esthetics. > > What are your thoughts on a tinting the back five windows? Would you > go limo (very dark) or something somewhat lighter? > > What are your thoughts about having a different shade of tint on > windows on the Adventurewagen top (to assist with stealth camping)? If > for instance I did the lower windows in a charcoal colour and the > upper windows in a black limo tint. > > What shade would you do the skylight (a balance between lighting, > privacy, and heat protection)? > > I am considering leaving the rear window untinted, as my experience > driving other vehicles with tinted rear windows is the night > visibility is virtually non existant. I can always close the rear > curtains when parked. Thoughts? > > My van is alpine white with a white top... > > Chris > > P.S. I am probably going with either Formula One or Llumar tint as per > John Rogers' post on the subject. > > On 7/13/05, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote: > > Chris, > > > > My son runs a tint shop and uses only the very best of films. Says it > > doesn't pay the customer or him to handle cheap film. He told me today > > that currently there are only two films he recommends - Llumar > > metalized films (his low end film - but it's a high end film on the > > market) and Pinnacle CP film by Formula One -his high end film for his shop. > > > > Llumar metalized film has, as one would expect, excellent UV rejection

> > which reduces the heat, but has a bit of a shiny finish - not mirror > > finish, but shiny enough. > > > > Pinnacle is a ceramic film and does it's work by UV absorption. It does > > not have the shine on the surface the same way the metalized films do. > > > > The metalized films have been around for quite a while and have been > > very good, displacing virtually all the older films for general use. > > They have the disadvantage of being incompatible with the new > > electronics finding their way into the newer automobiles, and in the > > retrofitted electronics going into older automobiles. The metal in the > > films interferes with transmission and reception. > > > > Enter the CP (ceramic product) films.........! > > > > CP films (Pinnacle - a top brand) are the newest films available. They > > function by absorbing rather than reflecting UV. They do not interfere > > with the new electronics, and perform at a higher level in dealing with > > the heat issues. Though I have not found in the literature anything to > > support my view, I believe that the CP films offer some insulative > > effect in that ceramic transmits heat energy with less efficiency than > > metal. I suspect that one would be better off with a CP film vs a metal > > film for that reason alone, much less the excellent UV absorption. > > > > The only drawback to the CP films is the price. They are typically > > slightly under 2-1/2 times as expensive as metal films. > > > > In any case, I would suggest that you get all windows except the > > windshield tinted. By law the windshield cannot be tinted, and passenger > > and driver window must meet a certain light transmission standard, and > > that varies state to state. But virtually every state has a transmission > > standard. In virtually all cases, the passenger and driver windows will > > be lighter in appearance than the other windows, as a result of the law. > > Usually you can go as dark as you wish on all windows except the > > passenger and driver window. The windshield must remain clear, excepting > > a sunshade strip that may be installed across the top of the windshield. > > That too varies state to state, in terms of how much glass can be covered. > > > > Formula One films and Llumar films both carry national warranties and > > the companies are really good at making good on any film failures. Good > > tint shops will have in-house warranties as well that will take care of > > any labor charges that might accrue if they did the tint installation > > for you. Be sure to ask about that. > > > > I would suggest that you get that rear window tinted because it is a > > huge heat generator. I had all my windows done, including the rear hatch > > glass, and I've never had a lick of trouble with the defroster strips on > > the glass. > > > > I personally think it a mistake to use a really dark tint on the van > > windows as it interferes with clarity of vision. I'm interested in > > reducing heat and glare, but I still like sufficient light to see well > > through any glass while seated in the driver sat. This is especially > > true at night. But to each his own. > > > > There is one final trick that can be done that will help glare - both > > day and night - IF you can get the tint shop to do it. Of course you > > are on your own on this one. The inside of the front windshield can be > > tinted with a near clear metal tint. It is so neutral as not to be > > "noticeably" dark, but it helps dramatically with glare. As I said, > > patently illegal, but boy what a difference. > > > > Anyway ..... > > > > > > IMHO, a good tint job is worth it's weight. > > > > Regards, > > > > John Rodgers > > 88 GL Driver > > > > > > > > Christopher Gronski wrote: > > > > >I am considering tinting my windows and I wanted people's opinion on two things: > > > > > >1) Type and brand of tint, what have you used that you like? I am > > >leaning towards the sort of mirrored look, but I'm still open to > > >suggestions. > > > > > >2) Which windows to tint? I am considering only tinting the side > > >windows (middle and rear) and leaving the cab area and the rear window > > >untinted. I'd like your opinon on this as well > > > > > >Thanks, > > >Chris > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > !DSPAM:4558ab5278421920417567! > >


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