Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 16:16:50 -0800
Reply-To: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jake de Villiers <crescentbeachguitar@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Window Tint Asthetics(LVC)
In-Reply-To: <f98ee6b45a34.45587c92@gci.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I have made foil/bubble/bubble/foil window insulators for when we go south &
east to the hot parts of our region.
Some are fastened with rare earth magnets and some with aluminum tape. I
have left the rear ones in place permanently and only remove the slider and
the two front door covers for regular use. If we still travelled with our
children I'd probably pull another one, but it isn't necessary for the two
of us.
It is always cooler in the darkness of the interior and that works well for
our instruments and their players too!
I drove trucks without direct rear vision for many years, so I don't have
any concerns about losing the back window. I have taught my wife to park in
such a way that she doesn't have to back out into traffic blind and she
doesn't have any trouble either.
This modification is also completely reversible, so resale value remains and
the Alteration Police can relax. :-)
On 11/13/06, Mark Tuovinen <mst@ak.net> wrote:
>
> Chris,
>
> Thanks for asking your question, I was just thinking about this issue this
> morning on my way to work. The wife and I are considering packing up our
> Westy sometime in the next 2-3 years and touring the States for 6 months or
> so. Window tinting is just one of a number of items that I will be
> pondering in the coming year(s) while prepping our van for a road trip with
> two adults one teenager and a 6 year old.
>
> Now for my two cents worth on tinting. My `87 Sunroof Syncro came from
> its PO with the rear window tinted and it definitely affects my rearward
> visibility at night, which right now is from 4:00PM to 9:00AM. One thing to
> consider is where you are and what is your intented use for the van in the
> foreseeable future. We do not want tint on our Westy's windows but when it
> comes time to travel the more southern latitudes we may rethink
> this. Having spent most of our lives in the frozen, now slowly thawing,
> North we will want as much protection from the sun as possible.
>
> Mark in AK
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dr.Chris" <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
> Date: Monday, November 13, 2006 7:27 am
> Subject: Window Tint Asthetics
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> > 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
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
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