by Gibson99 » Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:11 am
I used to install window tint as part of my job at toyota. ironically, i have not tinted my own camry yet. i did tint my 95 when i had it, and re-tinted my wife's accord. maybe i'll find the time to tint my 98 before the november meet!
i've worked with pre-cut and have cut my own. i prefer precut since it gives me nicer lines on the windows that actually roll down, but on fixed windows (1/4 windows and back windows) you can't see the cut lines so they don't matter - plus, i've had pre-cut back windows be too small once they were shrunk (you use a heat gun to shrink the tint and make it fit the curve of the window), and so you had light gaps around the edges.
i say unless you have already had lots of practice at installing tint and you have a source for some good quality film (think llumar and 3M) then leave it to the pros.
200 bucks is CHEAP especially if they give you a lifetime warranty. you look out your winodws every day, and little bubbles and scratches will bug the crap out of you, esp if you know you're the one who put them there!
as for how dark you should go - check your local laws first! most states allow you to practically paint the back window black as long as you have side mirrors. THat said i wouldn't go darker than 20% in the back, because after that it's hard to see out the back window at night. texas says the front doors have to be 35% or lighter, and they check it every year at your state safety inspection. some states allow darker (20%) and some say you CANNOT tint your front doors at all.
a reputable tint shop already knows the laws (cuz they'd get shut down if they didn't follow them) and will let you know what's legal. many of them will still install tint darker than legal, but they will only take cash and will not warranty it if you want it that dark.
black cars always look badass with dark tint, but if you have a dark interior, you don't have to get limo tint to make it look that dark. i find that 35% on the sides of a car with black interior looks just as dark as 20% on a car with beige interior.
