MK6 Front Tint to match factory 'Dark Tint' option

[chilliman]

Getting my GTI done with Formula 1 at Tint-a-car on Monday .... 35% fronts, 15% rears. I was going to go midnight express but was sold on the better formula 1 ... got a decent discount for cash which closed the gap in the cost

[JLR]

chilliman. Picts please!

[nicandlance]

I'm in Rowville and due to pick up my car in just over a weeks time (I'm getting the 118 tsi with sport pack)

Can anyone tell me whether it's really obvious having the back windows tinted, but not the front? I don't understand why vw would do that.

I'm thinking this might look a bit odd, so thinking of getting my front ones done to match. Excuse my ignorance on the subject, but I'm a bit scared of having someone rip my interior door panels apart (is that how they do it?) and rattles occuring - not to mention non-matching front and rear tints.....

Anyone know of a reputable tinting firm in my area?

Oh, and what can I expect to pay?

[chopsticle]

I don't reckon it's too noticeable not having the fronts tinted.. I always found it strange that it was rears only and after reading this thread today, I'm considering tinting the fronts too..

[dopey]

So anyway, I decided that the factory tint was too weak

Excuse the crap pics, I'll take proper ones with the good camera in daylight when I get time.





Tinting by GroundZero Window Tinting
Martin: 0424 725 250
Unit 6/4 Third Ave, Blacktown NSW
sales@groundzerotint.com

[gregozedobe]

..... I'm a bit scared of having someone rip my interior door panels apart (is that how they do it?) and rattles occuring - not to mention non-matching front and rear tints.....

With good reason, there seems to be quite a few cowboys around. If you can find a recommendation for someone who had done Golfs before with good results it will be worth paying extra for a problem-free job.

[Corey_R]

Can anyone tell me whether it's really obvious having the back windows tinted, but not the front? I don't understand why vw would do that.

The law states that 35% of visible light must pass through the side (whether front or rear side) and rear windows when tinting is used. "Privacy Tint" is usually darker than 35% and is therefore technically illegal. However, there seems to be a 'grey area' as Vans and Trucks don't need to side rear windows or rear window at all, they can be solid panels. So in recent years we've seen some car manufacturers (like Lexus etc) place "Privacy Tint" on the side rear and rear windows, and standard 35% tint on the front passenger windows.

Having said the above, I don't know what the visible light transference of the VW "Privacy" tint is on the rear sides/rear, nor whether they do in fact put any tint on the front side windows, but when it comes time to order my Golf R I intend to fully clarify these things before ordering this "Privacy Tint" option. Because at $400 you could have an entire car done with the tint of your choice by a reputable person.

[roy]

The law states that 35% of visible light must pass through the side (whether front or rear side) and rear windows when tinting is ...

i think what coreying states is true... and that's why vw wouldn't provide all tinted windows is because of different law in different areas...
just to mention..i heard the factory tint is a little different from the aftermarket one...they put the film between two glasses(like a sandwich i guess) and the aftermarket one is to put the film on the glass...i'm not 100% sure and anyone knows the detail pls help to confirm...

[Corey_R]

just to mention..i heard the factory tint is a little different from the aftermarket one...they put the film between two glasses(like a sandwich i guess) and the aftermarket one is to put the film on the glass...i'm not 100% sure and anyone knows the detail pls help to confirm...

Yeah, this is why I need to investigate it later, because I have seen very little official information about the 'tint' that VW use.

I'm not sure whether there is tint that goes inbetween two laminates of glass, because that would mean the outside (of car) facing laminate would expand/contract at a different rate to the inside laminate, but I know that the metallic particles used for tinting purposes can be 'infused in the glass'* as part of the glass creation process (like 'Comfort-Tone tinted windows for new houses etc).

*I'm not sure 'infused' is the right word as I'm not specifically familiar with the process but I've had it recently explained to me in 'consumer speak' by a few industrial tint specialists whilst investigating commerical window tint to deal with heat management issues in a server room which faces north and is always in direct sunlight.

[ozvino]

we had the 3/4 tint come with our 147 Tiguan as standard, had no choice its mandated. I was told its laminated between layers of glass, the window tint company also felt that was the case

Personally I think its a pain in the ass, I eventually got the front windows tinited and pertty much matched but a full tint is a better outcome (IMHO); when I ordered my GTI I wasnt interested in the $400 Privacy Glass option, you can get a really decent full tint done for udner $400 in Melbourne

[nicandlance]

Barloworld have quoted me $300 for tinting (well, $330 to be exact), for the front windows. She gave me the hard sell about taking a risk by going to an independant tinters, because vw give a lifetime guarantee. She mentioned that several customers had damage done to a wire that courses around the interior of the golf. Scare tactics I know, but ????

[Corey_R]

There are a lot of cowboys out there. Just use someone recommended or reputable

[JasonP]

Nic,

I've replied to your PM, however in response to your post, having worked for a large car dealer in Brisbane, & having bought several new cars over the years, I've never seen any tinting completed as an after-build option by a manufacturer.

In every case I've seen, if you buy Tint from the dealer via the Aftermarket Girl, they just get a local tint shop to come & install it at the dealer.

The "lifetime" guarrantee she is referring to, is almost certainly from the aftermarket paint protection etc company, rather than VW itself.

If it was a VW tint, it would have been factory installed, just like the 2 side windows & rear screen.

Getting tint installed via a dealer will always be more expensive than if you get it done elsewhere (Tint-a-Car, etc), & will often be done by the same company & installers the dealer uses.

My advice is in my PM, & $330 is way too much to pay for 2 front side windows to be tinted. $150 & up to $200 is the money.

Good luck!

[nicandlance]

Nic,

I've replied to your PM, however in response to your post, having worked for a large car dealer in Brisbane, & having bought several new cars over the years, I've never seen any tinting completed as an after-build option by a manufacturer.

In every case I've seen, if you buy Tint from the dealer via the Aftermarket Girl, they just get a local tint shop to come & install it at the dealer.

The "lifetime" guarrantee she is referring to, is almost certainly from the aftermarket paint protection etc company, rather than VW itself.

If it was a VW tint, it would have been factory installed, just like the 2 side windows & rear screen.

Getting tint installed via a dealer will always be more expensive than if you get it done elsewhere (Tint-a-Car, etc), & will often be done by the same company & installers the dealer uses.

My advice is in my PM, & $330 is way too much to pay for 2 front side windows to be tinted. $150 & up to $200 is the money.

Good luck!

Thanks Jason for replying...

Yes, I know that VW don't actually do it as an aftermarket thing. She was a little evasive when she spoke about them having a 'factory up the road' where they get them done, but I knew what she meant...
I'm sure it probably IS tint a car or something similar

I'd really love to know if anyone knows where Barloworld send their cars for tinting... she is reluctant to budge on price, and even inferred that I would have to 'pay' if I want an umbrella.... Growl!
I'd prefer to go straight where they send their cars and cut out the middle man!

[Redman]

Yeah, this is why I need to investigate it later, because I have seen very little official information about the 'tint' that VW use.

I'm not sure whether there is tint that goes inbetween two laminates of glass, because that would mean the outside (of car) facing laminate would expand/contract at a different rate to the inside laminate, but I know that the metallic particles used for tinting purposes can be 'infused in the glass'* as part of the glass creation process (like 'Comfort-Tone tinted windows for new houses etc).

*I'm not sure 'infused' is the right word as I'm not specifically familiar with the process but I've had it recently explained to me in 'consumer speak' by a few industrial tint specialists whilst investigating commerical window tint to deal with heat management issues in a server room which faces north and is always in direct sunlight.

I have been told that the "privacy glass" is a manufactured process, so I gather it is what is discussed above, by an infused or laminate process.
I spoke to a window tinting place who told me that the NSW RTA law is that at least 35% VLT must be maintained, however this does not apply if the vehicle is manufactured with a glass of less than 35% or the vehicle had the tint applied prior to 1st AUG 1994

I can't find anything about the "Manufactured" rule (although I haven't searched the ADR's) in this RTA Standards Info Sheet.