Window tint

[mbeach]

The previous owner of my Ironman had the windows tinted limo black all the way around. I really haven't gotten to replacing it with some good stuff yet. I can tell you that the dark stuff really impairs my night vision, I have to lean forward to look out the windshield when making left turns. Also, the side mirrors become useless.

On the WRX I had some bronze metallic tint that did wonders for keeping the interior temps down. It looked tasteful on a silver car, and it had excellent optical qualities. I only did the back three windows, and I always parked trunk to the sun.

[Moncha]

Definately DO NOT do limo all the way around.. Even with the 20%, I find myself struggling at times.. I wouldn't change it but, I wouldn't do it again either.

[mbeach]

+1 for no limo tint. It is way too dark, even when used on the back windows.

My LE buddies razz me about it all of the time. I've been searching for the same bronze high performance tint that I used to have.

[SilverBullet75]

I on the other hand love my Limo tint... I got used to it after about a week. I have a feeling that it is not as dark as other limo tints though. My sister's Excursion has limo, and is impossible to see out of at night. Don't ask what brand or model I have though... I have no clue.. sorry. I had it done at a place called "The Custom Shop" in Las Vegas (if you wanted to ask them). Good luck!

[TechnoPope]

On my ebony VX, I have a similar tint scheme to what Moncha and mbeach describe. It looks great but I cannot see anything at night. I can live without seeing out the back, but I have become frustrated with the frequent loss of my side mirrors in the darkness. Backing at night is a real problem as the backup lights do not illuminate enought to see anything in the side mirrors through the dark tint. I suggest that you do not get too carried away with tinting your door windows. You are lucky to have a silver VX since both mirror and dark could work. If mirror tinting would allow you to see out better, it might be a better choice. I once looked at a used silver VX that had heavy silver mirror tinted windows and a wide mirror eyebrow on the windshield. It also had a few chrome accents. It looked sharp to me. I may have a few pics on my home computer. If you want them, PM me with your email address.
Frank

[Moncha]

... Backing at night is a real problem as the backup lights do not illuminate enought to see anything in the side mirrors through the dark tint.....

I swapped out the regular 1156 27 watt bulbs to 50watt halogen versions.. Helps a lot!

[mbeach]

Lots of good info about tint here:
www.gilafilms.com

Technopope,
Saw your wife yesterday (on Riverside), then got a thumbs up from an Ebony on Bethel. It was the VXs' day out apparantly...

[TechnoPope]

Moncha,
Thanks for the tip. I will give them a try. Do the halogens give you any trouble with heat or blow the fuse? Are they readily available?

mbeach,
She came home around 7pm last night and told me she passed that Ebony also. She said she thought it was me and wondered where I was going. That new Ebony is going to get me into trouble sometime.

[Ldub]

I also have the 50w halogens, definite improvment, however I did notice some scorching of the reflector (chrome) inside the taillight last time I had the lens off.