Tinting the Rear Window
03-07-2009, 04:57 PM
#1
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Tinting the Rear Window
I recently had my car tinted and the tinters told me they had to cut out a spot for the stop light that is in back seat area.
They claimed their tools cannot reach that area and that it's too "cramped."
Has anyone here had their TSX tinted and if so, is their rear window like that? I'd appreciate it if someone could show me a picture.
They claimed their tools cannot reach that area and that it's too "cramped."
Has anyone here had their TSX tinted and if so, is their rear window like that? I'd appreciate it if someone could show me a picture.
Last edited by varrius; 03-07-2009 at 04:59 PM.
03-07-2009, 05:06 PM
#3
Let me help you!
When people take their cars in for tinting, they can specify whether they want the entire windshield tinted, or if they want some of it cut out for the rear brake light. This is because it's illegal to tint the rear brake light. Most people go ahead and do it, though, and cops never stop people for it.
It looks like either they were too lazy to temporarily remove your rear brake light, or perhaps they didn't have the right tools to do the job. If they couldn't remove it, they should have called you and asked if it's okay with you to do the cut out. I would bring back the car and have them fix it. Perhaps before you do it, you can remove the assembly for them.
I have a 1G, and they removed my brake light assembly to tint the entire window. They even left my bulb out so it wouldn't light up (e.g., get away with tinting the brake light area), but I just put the bulb back in. I work for a police department, so I'm always driving around areas full of cops. I haven't had any issues at all.
It looks like either they were too lazy to temporarily remove your rear brake light, or perhaps they didn't have the right tools to do the job. If they couldn't remove it, they should have called you and asked if it's okay with you to do the cut out. I would bring back the car and have them fix it. Perhaps before you do it, you can remove the assembly for them.
I have a 1G, and they removed my brake light assembly to tint the entire window. They even left my bulb out so it wouldn't light up (e.g., get away with tinting the brake light area), but I just put the bulb back in. I work for a police department, so I'm always driving around areas full of cops. I haven't had any issues at all.
03-07-2009, 08:23 PM
#5
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From what I remember the brake light is not removable. The rear shelf is all one piece. I know my tint place had to remove the entire shelf to do the part under the brake light. They tried to do it without removing it, but they couldn't get the tint to stick towards the bottom the first time. I ended up taking it back and they redid it and removed the shelf.
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03-08-2009, 09:46 AM
#9
Racer
Mine is like that too, but when I had it done I told them I wanted it 100% legal. I've had so many problems with tint here in Virginia that I wanted it done so that there is no way I can get a ticket for it.
My paint is silver and tint is a lot lighter than yours though (50%) so it doesn't have as much of a contrast as the bright spot on the back of your car.
My paint is silver and tint is a lot lighter than yours though (50%) so it doesn't have as much of a contrast as the bright spot on the back of your car.
03-08-2009, 10:02 AM
#10
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Mine is like that too, but when I had it done I told them I wanted it 100% legal. I've had so many problems with tint here in Virginia that I wanted it done so that there is no way I can get a ticket for it.
My paint is silver and tint is a lot lighter than yours though (50%) so it doesn't have as much of a contrast as the bright spot on the back of your car.
My paint is silver and tint is a lot lighter than yours though (50%) so it doesn't have as much of a contrast as the bright spot on the back of your car.
I think the rear window being tinted like that with the 3rd brake light cut out looks worse than no tint at all.
03-08-2009, 10:55 AM
#11
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03-08-2009, 12:38 PM
#12
I don't think its a big deal...its not like you can see it from inside the car...and when your driving or stopped with your foot on the brake noone can tell the difference
03-08-2009, 01:23 PM
#13
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If you were behind a car with the rear tinted like that and can't see the difference, then you shouldn't be driving and should get you eyes checked. Your average soccer mom probably wouldn't notice and acknowledge it, but there's still clearly a difference.
03-08-2009, 05:49 PM
#15
it looks weird being able to see the brake light like that. rest of it looks good
03-10-2009, 11:51 PM
#17
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I have a 30% legal tint and the rear window is all tinted. I have to agree that the cut looks somewhat silly but that may be only because we are closing in on this topic. Otherwise, I doubt anyone will notice.
03-11-2009, 08:27 AM
#18
WTH happened to my garage
I had my entire rear window tinted, the tint dude did it with a thing they call 'the bulldozer'. (A large vinyl squeegee deal?) Otherwise they'd have to remove the packing shelf and it undoubtedly would rattle afterwards. It depends on where you live and how strict the cops might be. I'd rather have nothing than a cut-out.
03-12-2009, 09:34 AM
#20
Racer
In my opinion, my car looks much better with tint even with the cut out on the rear. It keeps the interior cooler in the summer and keeps the UV rays from damaging the interior as well, among other positives of having the windows tinted.
Oh and tint related tickets will run you about $95 now around here...
03-12-2009, 12:53 PM
#21
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If you are concerned with being pulled over, tint the entire window and put in a brighter bulb. You don't need to see the CHMSL when its not active, only when it is. There are specs on the brightness, I am sure you can overcome it. If nothing else, I think it would look better if just the red lense part was cut out, instead of seeing the protuding housing as well. It would be neat to see someone install a small LED strip on the rear lip spoiler and disable the one on the rear parcel shelf.
03-16-2009, 06:03 AM
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Is there any problem with a metallic tint on the rear window. I have the Tech model. On Page 149 of the Navigation manual that metallic window tint can interfere with the GPS antenna. Isn't the GPS antenna the one that looks like a fin on the roof?
Any Techs with some prior experience?
Any Techs with some prior experience?
03-16-2009, 07:45 AM
#25
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Is there any problem with a metallic tint on the rear window. I have the Tech model. On Page 149 of the Navigation manual that metallic window tint can interfere with the GPS antenna. Isn't the GPS antenna the one that looks like a fin on the roof?
Any Techs with some prior experience?
Any Techs with some prior experience?
03-16-2009, 11:16 AM
#26
WTH happened to my garage
A friend with a 08 TL-S (or maybe his 03 CL-S?) did get goofy with the metallic tint (windhshield included). I have all glass tinted and have had no issues.
The shark fin is the XM antenna anyway, isn't it? I thought the GPS unit was on the dash, but WTH do I know?
The shark fin is the XM antenna anyway, isn't it? I thought the GPS unit was on the dash, but WTH do I know?
03-16-2009, 12:42 PM
#28
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Any problems with cell phone, radar detector or tire pressure sensor reception. I don't care about AM reception as I never listen to it. The car is scheduled to have ATR40 applied this Saturday. This is as dark as I can legally go in Maine. They said they have never had any complaints on the high end cars with regard to reception.
I mainly want to keep the interior from cracking over time. On my '88 Accord which has 35%, the interior looks like new after 20 years.
I mainly want to keep the interior from cracking over time. On my '88 Accord which has 35%, the interior looks like new after 20 years.
03-16-2009, 12:52 PM
#29
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My CBP has an all black rear deck. I think that tints with a brake-light cutout on a black rear deck wouldn't look so bad because of less contrast... I'm still on the fence as to how to get it tinted as I have to commute from MD to VA for work. And there are nothing but squirrel chasers in VA.
03-16-2009, 01:19 PM
#30
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But, I have to agree with it's either "all or nothing". Sorry, just my opinion and we all know what that's worth
. The hole makes it look kinda too safe 
. Sorta like, and I hate to say it but.....wannabe. Doh. 
There's a place near me that will do anything you want, and a product line they sell is a silver bottom to black top fade
. I'm very interested in this but I'm skeptical because the grigio Metallic is a weird color (why I got it). Most of the time when people ask "what color is it?" I say "you tell me". So I will have to either wait to see it done or just take the chance. But for sure, the entire rear window will be done, even if I have to remove the deck.
03-16-2009, 01:35 PM
#31
My baby's name is Pearly!
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03-17-2009, 08:11 AM
#36
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Infamous - Really? I've seen it in person on some import sports in the area and it wasn't bad. Thought it would look unique. Not for the TSX?
N2O
N2O
03-18-2009, 09:04 AM
#37
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getting my windows tinted today, the bf's dad is taking it in for me (tint shop is not far from his work). Hope they dont try to tint around the brake light, i told him to mention it. this tint shop does a great job, so i am not incredibly worried, but i know my bf's mom's CL used to have tint with the brake light cut out, bad bad.
03-18-2009, 09:20 AM
#38
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I have a question. What Mil thickness is the norm (I saw a distributor online that sells up to 4)? And if I may, how much is the average price for 5 windows including taking the rear deck out and putting it back right? And finally, If a place says they can only do a cut-out or will let you bring it in with the rear deck removed so they don't have to, how hard is that to remove?
N2O
N2O
03-18-2009, 03:32 PM
#39
fap fap fap
yes really. the only cars ive seen with the fade are the beat up junkers with fart can exhausts or the beat up junkers with 24" rims. trust me its ghetto.
03-18-2009, 04:23 PM
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Holy Crap Infamous
, #@*$, now I gotta get my vice grips back out and take the cool duals off that I made outta vacum cleaner parts.
But, that's why I like these forums. Opinions are plentiful, but so is the experience. It's a good thing because I recieved an excellent quote from a place near DC that uses only 3M and they have reccomended I get the new Color Stable line. Supposedly there is never any fade or discoloration and comes with a lifetime warr. Oh, and they will not cut out the third brake light. Legal in MD is 35%, but it comes in a 20% too. I found a site that shows the differences http://www.epdwindowfilm.com/Page.as...sec.FilmViewer
The total price is only 209.00 + tax. Not bad if you ask me, and I thought it would be more.
N2O
, #@*$, now I gotta get my vice grips back out and take the cool duals off that I made outta vacum cleaner parts. But, that's why I like these forums. Opinions are plentiful, but so is the experience. It's a good thing because I recieved an excellent quote from a place near DC that uses only 3M and they have reccomended I get the new Color Stable line. Supposedly there is never any fade or discoloration and comes with a lifetime warr. Oh, and they will not cut out the third brake light. Legal in MD is 35%, but it comes in a 20% too. I found a site that shows the differences http://www.epdwindowfilm.com/Page.as...sec.FilmViewer
The total price is only 209.00 + tax. Not bad if you ask me, and I thought it would be more.
N2O