Tinting the wagon windows...

[iwrock]

I want to tint the windows on my wagon. Its parked outside, and I am worried that someone is going to see my backpack sitting in the back seat, and steal it with my laptop in it...

Anyways, what is you expierience with window tinting? Good, bad, negative? Does it have a half-life? Whats the average price?


Funny part is that I have had cars with tinted windows, but never really had to have it done... Should I do it, or should I stick with the clear windows?


Thanks, Justin!

[BENZ-LGB]

The windows on our (soon to be my son's) 300TE are tinted. The tint gets progressively darker from front ot back. I just can't remember the percentage tint.

Why don't you hide your laptop in the rear "secret" (and lockable) compartment?

It should be deep enough to hide a laptop (without the case).

[TheDon]

I need to get my W123's windows tinted.. I've always been in a car with barely legal tint. It feels weird .. all like driving a fish bowl/ amc pacer

[iwrock]

I hid all my tools and stuff in there for almost 6 months, especially since no one has used the third row for almost 3 years....


I took the tools out and made a custom subwoofer box for it so that no one would target my car as having a highend sound system...

[Nate]

buy lots of tint, u can allways return it if u dont need it.

Vaccume the crap outta ur car, wear a hairnet and lint free cloths. NO DUST!!! it will show up, and u'll have to redo it

Get the scratch resistant stuff for windows that roll down, but the non scratch stuff's fine for the side windows. Dont tint too dark in the back window, u need to see behind u at night.


get a good squeegee, and a spray bottle fill it with warm water, and a LITTLE bit of soap, so it's slippery to the touch.

Get a VERY sharp razor blade...

Find someone to help u, I could go on and on, but u really need two people, preferably someone who's done it before.

~Nate

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by Nate

buy lots of tint, u can allways return it if u dont need it.

Vaccume the crap outta ur car, wear a hairnet and lint free cloths. NO DUST!!! it will show up, and u'll have to redo it

Get the scratch resistant stuff for windows that roll down, but the non scratch stuff's fine for the side windows. Dont tint too dark in the back window, u need to see behind u at night.


get a good squeegee, and a spray bottle fill it with warm water, and a LITTLE bit of soap, so it's slippery to the touch.

Get a VERY sharp razor blade...

Find someone to help u, I could go on and on, but u really need two people, preferably someone who's done it before.

~Nate

It sounds easy to do, but to have the rear windows professionally done in my wagon will only cost about 200 bucks, and that includes a lifetime warranty.

I may try to do it myself, as if I screw up, its removeable.

[Nate]

Originally Posted by justinwrock

It sounds easy to do, but to have the rear windows professionally done in my wagon will only cost about 200 bucks, and that includes a lifetime warranty.

I may try to do it myself, as if I screw up, its removeable.

$200 will buy you 20 rolls of tint............

~Nate

[kmaysob]

i had my 300sd done for 180 pro. and it wasnt that cheap crap that peels off a year or two later. the guy had closed up shop for the day so i came by his house. done in about 2 hours

[The Swede]

Around here, one usually sees tint only on kiddie cars. It fell to the wayside same time Miami Vice went off the air.

However, I can see good reason to use it you live in SoCal or Florida.

[German Stare]

When I got my 126 tinted, I researched to find the best. I love it! LIFETIME GUARANTEE against any defects. It was the only tint my MB dealership recommended.

Huper Optik - ceramic tint (German company)

Yes it's more expensive, but well worth it.

http://www.huperoptik.com/

[G-Benz]

Tint is not kiddie stuff in Texas...especially if you're doomed to park your ride outside all day at work!

The technology has changed quite a bit since the early days of tinting. You can't go wrong with most reputable shops. Considering the large window areas on wagons, I would leave that job to someone who has done it before.

And short of using limo tint, a wayward eye can still peer into the car and note the contents therin. Best to find a compartment to hide your backpack and laptop. Besides, tinted windows usually attracts more attention, indicating the owner is trying to conceal something.

[German Stare]

Watch out. Don't be tempted to get limo dark tint all around. The police WILL stop you at some point and give you a "change it now" ticket. They do notice.

[Da Nag]

These guys are relatively local to you/me - they did my E320 Wagon, and did an excellent job. Wish I had some pics for you...but the wagon is 850 miles away right now.

I did a fair amount of research on this prior to getting it done, and these guys were recommended by many. You probably don't need to head over to Fremont - they visit many shops in the Bay Area every week. Had mine done by them at a stereo shop in Pleasant Hill.

Had the darker-lighter job done - I'm going off of memory, but I think the rear glass is 30%, back and passenger sides are 35%, and front doors are 50%. And yes - as the previous poster mentioned, you will get nailed if you go beyond 50% up front. Laws and enforcement vary on this around the country, but in CA, the CHP will write you up.

[TheDon]

I would pay someone to do the tint on my car.. I would rather let them deal with it than me get frusterated

[G-Benz]

A good shop knows the local ordinances regarding tint percentage. You can go as high as the law allows, but consider that it means darker windows when driving at night, too.

Again, other than limo tint, you really won't make your windows opaque to curious eyes...