C5 window tint...yes or no????

[Stinger !!]

C5 Coupe REAR window tint...yes or no????

Just got an '03' AE coupe to keep my '96' LT4 company...happy happy joy joy!

Went to get the windows tinted today and the install guy told me to NOT tint the rear window...says that because of the window defroster "dots" across the top of the rear window, the tint will look 'silver' and not cover/adhere very well...he also felt that the tint would 'bubble' around the defroster lines...

OK, this sorta makes sense but he is about 20 years old!!! Does he know what he is talking about??? Anyone help me out here?? Sun is hot and bright here in FL and it does create a quick interior 'fade' problem...
had the 96' tinted some time ago and I have no problem with the rear hatch window with the defroster lines...just not as many of them and no 'dots'....any comments?

 

[Patrick]

Stinger,
He is correct. The "bubbles" at the top of your window will prevent the tint from adhering correctly. It will create gaps.

There are a couple of things you can do about this. The tint application can stop just below the zone where the bubbles start, and leave it at that. It will give you a consistent tint over your rear window, but the black and grey bubble zone will remain untreated. The other option is to go a step further and put some black paper over the bubble zone, to cover that part up.

Hope this helps, and congrats on the new C5!


-Patrick

 

[Pac-man]

If you want to do it right, you spray paint the area with the dots flat black. It looks factory perfect. I've done it a few times, always with excellent results. Looks same color as the tint from outside and no visual obstruction when looking out the rear.

 

[gmjunkie]

If you want to do it right, you spray paint the area with the dots flat black. It looks factory perfect. I've done it a few times, always with excellent results. Looks same color as the tint from outside and no visual obstruction when looking out the rear.

Yes This Work's Well!! junk!!

 

[Patrick]

Yes, that would definately work well, PacMan. For the life me, I've never been able to understand the functionality of those little indents/bubbles at the top of the window.


-Patrick

 

[6 Shooter]

I'd say YES!

Properly installed tint looks great and helps with sun/heat, but it will eventually need replaced.

My LT4 was tinted when I got it and it looked great, but the tinting on side windows were starting to show wear.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[*89x2*]

I understand the "dots" to be a sort of gradient to the darkened portion at the top...

If it were my car (which I have had a Chevy w/ dots tinted). I would spray the back black w/ a matte black spray paint to where I proposed the tint stop.

I have also heard that folks have ground down those dots with sandpaper - at least the paint can be removed at some point if you do not like it...

re: bubling at the defroster lines - if the installer is that wary of his skills, find another shop!

I have had close to a dozen cars tinted and NONE have peeled - I pay probably avg., maybe higher - but my stuff doesn't look like trash in 2 mos.

(with the exception of my chevy w/ the dots - live & learn)

 

[6 Shooter]

I have had close to a dozen cars tinted and NONE have peeled...

Garage Queens - Ya hardly ever drive em!

 

[KANE]

re: bubling at the defroster lines - if the installer is that wary of his skills, find another shop!

I agree. Run. Very fast. Better yet, drive very fast. Away.

 

[*89x2*]

have had tint for over two decades...

Garage Queens - Ya hardly ever drive em!

Actually, every car we own is tinted, as my eyes are sensitive to light and it helps. Sometimes people tint for reasons other than the "coolness factor"

 

[Rojo]

Tinted our 2003 due to the intense sun and heat in the California high desert. The folks here are very experienced, and there is absolutely no problem with the dots or defog lines. You just gotta find someone who knows what he's doing!
By the way, I was told that the radio antenna on the coupe are in the front and rear glass, appearing as fine wires. They said I needed to use a non-metallic tint to prevent radio interference.

 

[atmmac]

I got a gist certificate to get my windows tinted. The guys sepcializes in doing corvettes and mentioned the back window being very difficult as well.

 

[jimmie jam]

Tinted our 2003 due to the intense sun and heat in the California high desert. The folks here are very experienced, and there is absolutely no problem with the dots or defog lines. You just gotta find someone who knows what he's doing!
By the way, I was told that the radio antenna on the coupe are in the front and rear glass, appearing as fine wires. They said I needed to use a non-metallic tint to prevent radio interference.

i had the rear tinted also. if done by a TRUE professional, you can not tell.

 

[jldecke]

I had the rear window tinted in my 99 and have had no problems. Find a good installer and you should have no worries.

 

[Rain]

i read about a tinting trick for those dots - elmers glue.
Dries clear and keeps the tint up between the dots.

*just what I read

 

[SANOLS1]

I had mine done a year and a half ago. I too was worried about the dots but I guess the new age films have come a long way. No problems here!

 

[Rojo]

The back glass can be difficult, but a really good installer makes it looks relatively easy. I watched the guy do mine and it took almost 2 hours. He used a single piece of film (no splices!), and contoured it to fit by using a heat gun, and shrinking the film in specific areas. He would then lay it on the outside of the glass to check his fit. Once he got it shrunk and contoured, he installed it in the normal way. He then asked me to come back in a couple days to touch it up if needed. I did, and he did not have to glue anything or re-fit anything. It's all in the skill of the installer. Good luck!

 

[JETZ]

Not all installers know how to handle 'the dot matrix' problem.
http://www.tintdude.com/dot-matrix.html

 

[DDLS3]

I just bought an 02 coupe with very dark tint in the rear window. While the tint looks good with no bubbles or anything like that, it's too dark. I can't see anything out my rear view mirror. What percent dark would work better? I'm very likely going to have this one removed.

 

[C6 CRZN]

My rear window tint is not on very well, it makes it hard to see out. I would like to remove it so I could replace it but I'm afraid it will mess up the rear window defroster. Anyone removed tint from the rear window?