Window Tinting Questions and HID's [Archive]

kg988

06-30-2011, 08:07 AM

Hey I am thinking of tinting the windows on my Mazda 3 Sport 2011.

I have a few questions:

1) From my research on this forum it costs about $200 to have done professionally?

2) I used to see a lot of aftermarket tinted windows that were all bubbled, especially on the rear window in older cars due to the defroster. I even see the odd newer car with a bubbled rear window. Is that still an issue with modern tinting techniques? Will it eventually happen a few years down the line?

3) Is there any legal issue with tinting the driver's side front window? I have heard that there may be.

Also, I am thinking of putting in HID's (4000-5000K, 35W, H11's for the low beam). My question is, does anyone have a good quality brand that they recommend? I do not want any made in China/Asia stuff....

Mazdy

06-30-2011, 08:18 AM

1. Yes its around that cost

2.it is normal to have bubbles after atleast many years...thats why if your gonna get it done..go to the one that offers a life time warranty..like i did.

3. I think legal you can go is atleast 15% on the drivers side and 5% all around...some members did 5% all around...ask around just to make sure

I did 20% all around and its actually a decent one and dark enough for me...no troubles with police

Lastly as for your HIDs...check our sponsor section that offers HIDs..they are great quality

rzapata

06-30-2011, 08:24 AM

Answers:

1) Yes, it should be around that price or probably more if you get higher quality tints.

2) The only reason I think that the tints will bubble is if it's not done the right away. I'm not sure exactly what the "right way" is per se, but as long as you have it done in a shop with a good track record, then I think you should be fine. Had my tints done last year by Auto Links in and I have nothing to complain about them. Nicely done and nice people too.

3) As for the legal issues, the OHTA is pretty vague... I have tints 15% all around, been pulled over twice (not related to tinting), gone through random spot checks, but did not mention anything about my tints being dark. Mind you, I got pulled over in the night so it was pretty dark (both times). But, having said that, I would say go with the most preferred by people. I think 35% is common...

As for HIDs, not really sure which brand is the best.. But I think, nowadays, you can get nice set of HIDs, that's asian made, with better quality and lower prices. Mine's called Brillante and I've had it for about a year now I think (maybe a little less than a year), and the only problem I've had is a bad ballast which was replaced under warranty.. So yeah, it'll be up to you in the end. :)

I hope these help and welcome! :welcome smiley

sp3GT

06-30-2011, 08:27 AM

Our tinting sponsors on here are very professional and I don't think anyone's had major issues with them. Both Auto Links and AH back up their work. If you get lucky and see a promo you should be able to get it done below $200.

As for HID's you can contact me, we offer both the Slim Kits as well as OEM Hella / Phillips Kits.

Shen

06-30-2011, 08:31 AM

I don't think there is a legal % in Ontario, its kinda in the grey area...as long as the cops can see thru your window when you get pulled over (roll down your window) you should be fine :)

However, 35% is the legal % in the US tho.

Charlie S

06-30-2011, 12:56 PM

For good quality tint stick to 'Audio Haven' in Markham.
If you do you will never see bubbles.
I had cars done there and years down the road the tint is still perfect.

sip

06-30-2011, 07:38 PM

Thing not to do for your car include tint and HID.
(http://www.wheels.ca/article/798324)

peterm15

06-30-2011, 11:06 PM

Thing not to do for your car include tint and HID.
(http://www.wheels.ca/article/798324)

WOW who knew we all were wrong,

IMO 25%-30% tints provide good visibility as well as a good look.

as for hids keep in mind our cars are made in asia so asia aint so bad.

Freakzaz

07-01-2011, 02:15 AM

For your bubbling question: After tints it's quite common to see a bit of bubbling around the dot matrix areas on the window. Bubbling other than that would probably be bad.

For the legal tint: The place I had it done said they'd do only as low as 35% on the front side windows to avoid trouble, but let me do 15% on the rears. Many other places let you do lower though and I'd say a 23% all round tint is a good choice

YoungBucs55

07-03-2011, 03:26 PM

hi there i have a 2007 mazda 3 Hatch which the color is Black Mica i believe. i'm thinking to tint my windows at about 23% i'm wondering if i will have probs on the street if i get it that dark please help? new into mod scene no mods done yet this may be my first thing to do on my car

bluntman

07-03-2011, 03:36 PM

If you have a moonroof roll back the shade to let some light in and so people (ie, the police) can see inside easily. Tints that are too dark may cause problems with your visibility at night. Of the cars that I've owned none of the tints have ever bubbled, if they bubble that means the weren't install properly.

The Wolf

07-03-2011, 04:04 PM

Thing not to do for your car include tint and HID.
(http://www.wheels.ca/article/798324)

Lol, that article was written by an idiot.

Burner

07-03-2011, 05:35 PM

I wouldn't go as far as calling Ian Law an idiot. He's just an old track fart doesn't like aesthetic mods.

The Wolf

07-03-2011, 06:23 PM

Calling tints dangerous? Police cars have dark tint...

Burner

07-03-2011, 08:35 PM

It's just his opinion. He's entitled to it. There is something to be said about making eye contact with other drivers to make sure they see you. I'm just glad that in Ontario we can still put a semi-dark tint on our cars without much hassle. In many states and provinces any tint at all on the front windows illegal.

klspeed3

07-06-2011, 09:39 AM

...I'm just glad that in Ontario we can still put a semi-dark tint on our cars without much hassle. In many states and provinces any tint at all on the front windows illegal.

+1!

robl

07-06-2011, 10:32 AM

I *think* that 35% on front windows is the legal limit.
Regarding tints on other windows my choice it 17%. It's dark enough to give you privacy, but still easy enough to see through at night.

I've had several cars done at Audio Heaven, and am *really* happy with the work. I definitely recommend going there...Jeff will take care of you!

And I strongly suggest going with a quality tint with a lifetime warranty if you plan on keeping the car for more than 1-2 years.

Cheers,
Rob.

Burner

07-06-2011, 06:16 PM

I *think* that 35% on front windows is the legal limit.

There is no stated legal limit in Ontario.

Hoodzy

07-07-2011, 12:43 AM

Is anyone going to post the actual provincial law??

In Alberta I was pulled over for tint on my windows. He informed me the reason it is illegal is because in the event of a side impact your windows are designed to fall apart so your head isn't smashed up against glass cutting into your face.
That being said I will take the policemans word. So if that is the case then any amount of tint even 0% is technically illegal. However you would need to look at OFFICIAL provincial laws. Which haven't been provided yet.

Burner

07-07-2011, 01:30 AM

(3) No person shall drive on a highway a motor vehicle on which the surface of the windshield or of any window to the direct left or right of the driver's seat has been coated with any coloured spray or other coloured or reflective material that substantially obscures the interior of the motor vehicle when viewed from outside the motor vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 73 (3).

Vague and open to interpretation.

Hoodzy

07-07-2011, 01:40 PM

Vague and open to interpretation.
Yah that's mostly for a cop to give you a ticket if he's in a bad mood regardless of how much tint there is.

Burner

07-08-2011, 01:33 AM

Yah that's mostly for a cop to give you a ticket if he's in a bad mood regardless of how much tint there is.

It doesn't happen as often as you might think it does. 20% is fine. The only person I know personally that got a ticket for tint has 5% all around. There's also little tricks like opening the sunroof or turning on the map light when you're getting pulled over to make the tint appear lighter.

I actually have the F1 Pinnacle 15 on my car and it shows on their website that it's 18%. No issues to date.

Flagrum_3

07-10-2011, 01:23 AM

Vague and open to interpretation.

Substantially obscures the interior are the key words and as you say, open to interpretation.The thing is I've found that the windshield of our 3s is so large and lets in so much light that even with 20%, as I have, you can see in pretty well.Been tinted for 6 years at 20% never had an issue with the police....but maybe I'm lucky that way who knows?

_3

wildcard50

07-10-2011, 08:33 AM

I have seen alot of cars with the front windshield tinted. Is that legal too?

bluntman

07-10-2011, 09:46 AM

A band at the top of the windshield is fine.

sip

07-10-2011, 10:20 AM

Burner

07-10-2011, 10:25 AM

I was waiting for my turn at Brampton Courts when Window tint case was heard. The cop said he couldn't see inside the car. The Judge asked in a scale to 1 to 10 how dark the tint was. The cop said 8 but the defendant said 5. The defendant was convicted based on the cop's evidence. No percentages were discussed. I guess it would be hard to challenge cop's evidence.

Sounds like one of the many unprepared people that walk into traffic court. He should have brought pictures and any other evidence, such as a sample of the tint to support his claim.

Hoodzy

07-11-2011, 01:09 AM

It doesn't happen as often as you might think it does. 20% is fine. The only person I know personally that got a ticket for tint has 5% all around. There's also little tricks like opening the sunroof or turning on the map light when you're getting pulled over to make the tint appear lighter.

I actually have the F1 Pinnacle 15 on my car and it shows on their website that it's 18%. No issues to date.

Do you have the number of tickets given out by police per year based on what they think the tint level is?? Just because you haven't had a ticket doesn't mean anyone else has.
:P

Burner

07-11-2011, 06:55 AM

:rolleyes

robl

07-11-2011, 12:41 PM

Ug...the vagueness of that is a pain. It's too subjective IMO.
I do agree, though...20% on the fronts would be nice...though I like 17% around the back, as it's dark enough to be private without hindering nighttime visibility.

Cheers,
Rob.

Hoodzy

07-11-2011, 09:52 PM

Sounds like one of the many unprepared people that walk into traffic court. He should have brought pictures and any other evidence, such as a sample of the tint to support his claim.
That doesn't necessarily prove the sample is what is on the vehicle. Nor do the photos prove what the officer saw at that time.
Officer will pretty much always trump what we would call proof.

Hoodzy

07-11-2011, 09:53 PM

As I said before as well.. that law is vague on purpose so they can scam you and make money from tickets. If they wanted to not take your money they would have put a percentage.

Burner

07-11-2011, 09:59 PM

Many people break the law in regions where tint % is limited or out right banned. They just take the risk. Give me a vague law that I have a chance of fighting any day.

Put away the tinfoil hat. In the grand scheme of things cops don't give a shit about tint. They generally have better things to do.

Default User

07-11-2011, 10:14 PM

Fact is, tinting the windshield, front driver and or passenger side windows is illegal. Vague or not. Just because "it's up to the cop" to book you or not - doesn't matter.

Anyone can argue it - but at the end of the day, it's up to the owner whether or not he/she wants to spend half the day in court to fight a ticket.

Question is, do you want to live with the paranoia if there's a cop on your ass? Are there other things that a cop can fine you for if he does pull you over because of tints? Outstanding tickets, carrying illegal substances, firearms, etc can quickly turn a routine pull-over into an over-nighter in holding

Burner

07-11-2011, 10:46 PM

Question is, do you want to live with the paranoia if there's a cop on your ass? Are there other things that a cop can fine you for if he does pull you over because of tints? Outstanding tickets, carrying illegal substances, firearms, etc can quickly turn a routine pull-over into an over-nighter in holding

Living with paranoia? I'm done with this topic...

Default User

07-11-2011, 11:09 PM

....They just take the risk. Give me a vague law that I have a chance of fighting any day.

...... In the grand scheme of things cops don't give a shit about tint. They generally have better things to do.

Obviously your time isn't precious that you can spend halfyour day fighting tickets for "vague" laws

And you're right - they don't care about the tint. BUT the tint is a stepping stone - a reason to be pulled over to find something else more important.

Personally, I hate being pulled over. Its waste of my time even it is for 10 minutes.

Hoodzy

07-12-2011, 03:59 PM

bdonion

07-20-2011, 05:59 PM

my mazda 3 is on lease... is it fine to get it tint? or do we have to notify the dealership??

chris.joh

08-12-2011, 07:09 PM

my mazda 3 is on lease... is it fine to get it tint? or do we have to notify the dealership??

Nope wouldn't bother notifying them, I had 3 previous car on lease all with tinted windows. No hassle.

Zuluwun

08-13-2011, 04:21 PM

my mazda 3 is on lease... is it fine to get it tint? or do we have to notify the dealership??

nope, I bought my car used from a mazda dealership where it was a lease trade in. It came with ~20% in back, ~35% up front. lol, don't worry about having to tell them.