I have a local shop that does ceramic tinting, reduces like 80% of the heat from the sun. Im going to get this done to my third gen. When I was talking to the guy he mentioned that they have a clear ceramic coating that has the same benifit and that the local police and border patrol use it on their windshields because of the computers and what not. Naturally, I want to get it on mine too lol.

I figured Id get a fight when I call the police dep. to see if I can get it so I started looking up AZ law. I read it (28-959.01) and found that it says that:

1. "a person shall not operate a motor vehicle with an object or material placed, installed, affixed," yada yada "in a manner that obstructs or reduces a drivers clear view through the windshield or side or rear windows."
I figure its clear right (well for the most part, it is a little darker than glass) to the point where it will not obstruct any vision.

2. (this is the part that I think will f*ck me) "a person shall not place install," yada, yada, "a transparent material on the windshield" and other windows "if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmittance of the windshield".
I figure this is where they are going to say that it will reduce my vision because its darker than transparent and during the night it could cause a hazard and what not.

The way I look at it whats good for the goose (police) is good for the gander (me). So what I want to know is if anyone has fought this battle with the police or is currently using the clear coating (legally or not). If you fought it and won what points did you use to fight it?

 

It you look at a car that's had it done is it obvious? if not, then do it and be happy.

As a side note, what are you being quoted for this? I'm in FL and I want to have ceramic tinting done as well but I haven't found a shop that does it.

 

Well for the back and side windows it $250. Standard tinting was $175 so its more expensive but from what I understand talking to people its worth it.

With the windshield included I dont know. Havent talked to them about it that much yet.

 

First of heard of this type of tint, 80% is a huge difference, and well worth it IMO!

 

Any more info? Also In AZ here and we need all the sun protection we can get. I would do it depending on how noticeable it actually is. Who's going to know? How will they tell?

 

http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/AZ/

Just because the police have it doesn't make it legal for everyone. You'll loose that battle.


For AZ:

Windshield - Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.


So, you can't do the entire windshield legally. If it's reflective, it's illegal anywhere on the windshield per their current laws.

 

Im going to see if the guy has it on any of the shop cars or if I can talk him into doing a section of glass to see how reflective it is. If its barely noticable Ill probably do it. The cops probably arent going to be watching for tint as I go by lol. "Do you know how fast you were going?"

I cant remember the actual gains of the ceramic tint. 80% seems to much but if it is, Im in lol.

 

Found a dealer using this ceramic tint product locally. Do you know if this is the stuff being offered at the shop in AZ? would be very interested to know what you think of it in person if so:

http://www.huperoptik.com/Automotive.html

 

My roomate has his prerunner windshield tinted with regular window tint, 35%, cant even see him, its hilarious. We live in Cali, and hes gotten pulled over hella times for the sides, but never the front, haha.

 

If you do tint the front windshield I would recommend tinting the back hatch glass darker shade. This will offset the front windshield tinting. Hopefully cops will only notice the rear glass being tinted.

 

I had my lexus done 6 years ago,, I got the idea from when i went to visit my dad in Puerto Rico .,Alot of the guys have tints all around in front my cousin had 20 % in front crzy.. hu,, but his car was black and looked bad ***, so i did my lexus 20 in top strip 35 bottom and 20 all around and never got hassled for it,, now my wife sequioa is 20 all around 35 in front and cops still dont notice it ,, is craxy cuz you cant see thru my front windshiled love the look and it does make a difference on heat and i dont feel like a fish bowl,,

 

Nice. I will be going for the clear though not the dark. Im getting the sides at 35% and the back will be a little darker not sure on the percentage. Pretty much the same reasoning that rlee stated.

I have an apt next monday for the sides but they arent doing the windshields anymore. Their shop is on an Army base and the Post Marshall found out they were doing it and said no more. The good news is that in a month they will have a shop opened outside of base and he told me that he "might" be doing it again, but he couldnt say for sure *wink, wink*. So in a month all put pics of the difference but I saw it on some glass and its like nothings there.

Fortune: I forgot to ask but by the website it looks like they use Panorama Window Films. They are used on houses as well as cars. If this isnt what they are going to use then Ill let you know.
*Edit* They also have Solar Gard which is the one I think they will be using but Im not sure.

 

Good luck Armytim2002 let us know how it works out. The shop here that installs the Huper Optik quoted me $600 for all the glass, front windshield to rear hatch. May be useful as a cost reference.

 

The guy is going to do mine for (minus the windshield) for $225. i was originally qouted for $250 but he decided that it was to much : )

Oh and Badger is fine. Its a nick name that I got in the Army...long, weird story lol

 

Any pics of the finished product? Comments?

 

http://www.modified.com/tech/sccp_08...ion/index.html

 

Very interesting!

 

Yeah sorry. Been really busy lately and just havent gone out and taken any pics but I have gotten compliments from friends that have seen it bothwith and w/o. They really like the added look.

I love it. It really adds a big difference and I havent even got the windshield done yet. It takes a lot of heat out of the car when you have it sitting in the sun. I had seat covers on because I didnt like how hot the leather seats got but since I got this I took them off and Im good to go. I think its worth every penny.

 

Glad to hear! I'm going to try the 3M crystalline I think, Seems to be very similar but even more transparent in the 60-70 range. As I'm worried about the cops here I think this is the best option for me. I'll let you know how it is!

 

I've been wanting to use 3M Crystalline on my windshield since I first heard of it. But here in Texas, they make us place our registration and inspection stickers on the inside of our windshield. We have to scrape them off and replace them annually, which would undoubtedly ruin the tint.

 

I wonder if you could use a thin transparent plastic sticker, that you could affix the Reg. and Insp to, To make it easy to remove and replace annually. You can get the window stickers that go off and on without using strong glues. Might be worth exploring.

 

yeah or something like that. When i was in the military we had to put post reg. on the windshields. Usually people would have it taped on there or would do something to make it come off easier. Could you laminate it and attach it to the outside of the windshield?