Date:         Fri, 03 Feb 95 08:34 PST
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Harvey                         <CNETSAH@mvs.oac.ucla.edu>
Subject:      Tinting Upadate & Joels response

Well I've decided to have the whole van tinted (don't  pop
off, no not the windshield too).  Thanks for all the input.
Joel replyed directly with personal knowledge/experience on
doing it yourself.  Don't even want to think about how difficult
it would be to do the window behind the closet!.  I've included his
input below.
Martha- about scratches,  try cutting a potato in half and rub
it on them.  It should take them out.  (sounds like a tip from
Sueanne Givens).


> >#4 - Also, a while back I asked about tinting Vanagon windows.  Well
> >a. a darker tint (75% grey) all windows except driver side and
> >   passenger side.  i.e. everything behind doors.
> >b. a medium tint  (60% grey) all windows.
> >Your input would be appreciated.
>
> ha. THIS i did do already. i chose a. in any event, i would recommend that
> the rearmost rear hatch window be tinted darker/darkest of all ... it really
> helps your eyes by dimming the headlights of those idiots with their jacked-
> up trucks.
>
> ok. cautions: it helps to cut the tint on the OUTSIDE of the car, to get the
> shape and size approximately right. especially do this on the rear hatch
> window, cause with the defroster grid, you don't want to be cutting with a
> blade.
>
> the sliding side windows are a bitch. at least the part that slides. cause it
> has that little handle-thingie. be super careful. measure many times.
>
> vanagons/buses are MUCH easier to do ... cause all the windows are FLAT. :)
> but you need to do two things most of all to get a really really good job:
> - CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN the glass. then clean it again.
> - when you spray the water on the glass, also spray it on the tint. then when
>   you spread the tint on the glass, and start squeegeeing the water out,
>   KEEP SQUEEZING the water out for a long time. do it like four or five times.
>   the more water you can get out from under there, the better it will stick
>   and the less chance you'll have of bubbles showing up. all those cars with
>   badly bubbled tint are cause the doer didn't get enough water out.
>   now, on the rear hatch window, there will be a 'bubble-line' along each
>   defroster line. nothing you can do about it. just squeegee as much water as
>   you can out ... but because the defroster grid is a 'bump' on the glass,
>   you WILL get that little air space. if you get enough water out, it doesn't
>   look bad, and you can't really see it unless you get really close.
>
> a thought: i made my own front windshield tint, for the top 8 inches of the
> glass ... to shade my eyes when driving into the sun. you'll have to do it
> in two pieces (because the front windshield curves too much for one big piece)
> but it looks ok if you mate the pieces right behind the rearview mirror ...
> that way, the split-line is not really noticeable. the mirror gets in the
> way a little bit, but it can be worked around.
>
> good luck.
> joel