Window tint - pros and cons

[toys222]

I'm considering window tint on my 66 C10 honcho. I know it's mostly an aesthetics choice, but I'm brainstorming to help with my decision before I proceed as this would be the final paint step before I remove the overspray film.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Here is an older picture just to give you an idea of my paint scheme:

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[Up'n'Over]

I did tint on my 4Runner, because I wasn't planning on doing an interior and didn't want to just be looking at all the guts of the chassis.

Before:

After:

 

[toys222]

Thanks for the before and after shots - nice rig! "thumbsup"

 

[mikemcE]

I used window tint film from the automotive world. Get it free from a local tint shop’s scraps


Hang up and Drive

 

[toys222]

That's a good idea too! "thumbsup"

 

[toys222]

The more I think about it I'm just going to pull the masking/film and see how I like them clear. If I decide later I want to tint I can always mask the body using saran wrap and masking tape to protect from over spray.

 

[67CamaroSS]

If you use Tamiya's Smoke Tint, make sure your body color is backed, especially if its a light color. The first time I used it, I did it on a yellow body w/o backing and ruined it.

 

[Trick]

what do you back the body color with silver or white?

 

[high plains drifter]

what do you back the body color with silver or white?

Depends on the body color. Most times more transparent/ lighter colors ( including florescent colors) should be backed with white. Metallic colors- either white or silver. Darker colors- typically back with black. But there's some variables there in the middle with metallic colors and medium hued colors... some look better backed with a silver but may look better backed in black or even white.

Most important thing you can do is hit some test scraps of lexan with what you're thinking on using. It's really the only way to know for sure how somethings going to look for sure. Basic reds, blues, greens, etc are good examples. Any of those colors might look fine regardless of what color you back them with BUT that same color backed with white/ silver/ black are all going to look different... sometimes minimally different... sometimes drastically different. Also it will matter how many color coats you lay down before applying the backer. Seriously... do some test scraps to be 100% sure how it's going to look.

 

[Stormin2u]

I used window tint film from the automotive world. Get it free from a local tint shop’s scraps


Hang up and Drive

I also like film (RcMart) over paint imo it just looks more realistic.

 

[high plains drifter]

mikemcE & Stormin2u- That's a great suggestion. I think I'm going to use that next time. One thing that I don't care for with the Tamiya window tint is that it looks kinda "dirty" or something along those lines, if you spray it just a little too heavy. It's obvious from the pic above that the tint-film indeed looks more realistic.

 

[mikemcE]

mikemcE & Stormin2u- That's a great suggestion. I think I'm going to use that next time. One thing that I don't care for with the Tamiya window tint is that it looks kinda "dirty" or something along those lines, if you spray it just a little too heavy. It's obvious from the pic above that the tint-film indeed looks more realistic.

No problem. FYI make sure inside is spotless and degreased. No tape residue or anything. Use a soapy film and rubber squeegee(made mine from kitchen utensil) precut to fit opening and let film flatten out.


Hang up and Drive

 

[Topher Builds]

Baby shampoo and water is a nice fluid to work with window tint on. Should help get rid of bubbles and will dry out.

Can’t remember the exact ratio since it’s been a while since I’ve tinted a car window but I think it was 1:3 for shampoo to water. Squeegee definitely key, rubber is best.

I stick with the Tamiya smoke. Up close it’s not the cleanest but it can be passable. Few different shades below.

 

[rkj__]

I like tint.

 

[Inspector86]

I like the idea of window tint. I see it all over the place on ebay for under $10. Here is a 20" x10' roll of 20% which is more than I would use in 10 years.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VLT-20-Uncut-Roll-20-x-10FT-Window-Tint-Film-Charcoal-Black-Car-Glass-Office/362223565125?hash=item545634f945:g:lUgAAOSw9tJaajUk

 

[RecklessTrent91]

I tint every body I do. Just dont look right to me with clear windows. Although I go the easy route and just use the tint spray paint

 

[Fricker08]

I bought some headlight tint that worked pretty well. I just got lazy and quit doing it ha


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[ussprinceton2004]

 

[godwnlo]

thats a great idea i neveer would have thought about using actual window tint i have always used the tamiya smoke but i dont always like the result