Ok I need some advice.

A few years ago I had the TSX tinted 35% in the front and 15% in the rear windows. At anytime other than broad daylight, I can't see anything out of the rear windshield. It's a huge problem for me as I have already had to replace the rear bumper and trunk after backing in a parking lot structure that I couldn't see.

Here is my quanadry:
If I remove the rear tint I'm afraid that the defroster lines and radio antenna will get damaged.
1) What are the odds that this kind of damage will occur?
2) If it is damaged, will I need to replace the entire window?
3) Will the window replacement cost more than $750 (estimated cost of navi back-up camera)

edit: Forgot to ask: 4) will the car look abnormal if I have no tint on the rear winshield but leave all the rest of the tint in place?

I don't want to spend the money on the camera but will do so if it is certain that I'll have to replace the rear window should I have the tint removed.


Thanks for you help. Feel free to call me a dumbass for backing into a wall but don't flame me for not searching-- I couldn't find any useful information.

 

just get a proffessional to remove the tint and you should be cool...but there still is a chance the defroster lines might get cut but a good tint guy/girl should be ok...i say go ahead get it removed and dont worry about it itll be ok...ooo and yes it will look ridiculous with the sides tinted and the rear window w/o...i say jus make it a habbit to look through the side mirrors cuz i have 15% too and i cant see shit out the back at night so i use the side mirrors and if i can keep the windows down so i can see the side mirrors and no problems yet

 

Not a dumb ass! I have 5% on the rear, but just roll down the windows to see my side mirrors when backing up if I can't see anything. A good visual inspection of whats behind you before hand always helps as well.

As long as your film can be removed without using a razor blade you should be ok. If you have good film that hasn't been beet up by the sun for years you should be able to remove it in 1 solid piece! This would leave you with just the glue to remove! Then all you need is a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and some fine steal wool to get that glue off. That should remove it without damaging your defrost lines.
But if your film is older and turning purple or fading it may come off in shards and would take forever to pull it off little strips at a time. There are chemicals that will remove it, but that would mess up the interior cloth.
Yes it would look funny with no tint on the back windows and tint on the doors! You may want to have 35% put back on when done.

If you have Nav I would just get doms nav/vid converter and a simple back up camera though. Then hook the camera and Doms unit up to switch over when you put your car in reverse.

 

Isn't the antenna inside the rear window as well?

 

yep

 

OK guys, thanks for you help. The tint still looks brand new so hopefully it will come off without incident. I don't want to remove all the tints so I think I'm gonna re-tint the back to 35% or maybe higher. I'll be sure to give an update on the defroster lines after the job is done.

 

i'm looking to install a backup camera/sensor myself.. just haven't found a system what would work with the navi.. dont want an extra screen.


with the amount your probably going to pay to have the tint removed/replaced i would invest it on some kind of backup hardware

 

Any of the systems that people are using for watching DVDs or playstations on their navi will work with the back-up camera.

If you already have that in place it's not a whole lot extra to add the backup camera but it looks to be around $600 to start from scratch (Video converter (w/ dvd player) + camera + install)

 

i thought there were couple of those navi-dvd boxes that can add dVD to your navi and has another slot for rearview camera?

 

I say just add some backup sensors.

Or get the backup camera setup along with the Navi to DVD conversion. That way you'll get something new with your money, instead of spending money to replace something that you already have.

If the tint is so dark that you can barely see at night though, you should definitely consider removing it. Some people have more trouble seeing at night, and it's dangerous to you and other drivers if you can't see them.