| GMC RV Window Tint [message #354717] |
Fri, 15 May 2020 12:43  |
Clark76
Messages: 62
Registered: February 2010
Karma: -2
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Summer is here in the south, and with all the glass in my GMC it gets hot driving down the road from the sun especially in the cockpit like I am in an “Easy Bake Oven”.
Time to tint it up!
I do have some old tint from a previous owner on the back bed windows but it is peeling off. I found out it was an old metallic tint, which has a reputation for interfering with GPS and Cell signals. It’s time for it to go. Mid coach, the previous owner replaced the door and sink window with solar glass over 15 years ago. I replaced the big side windows about 7 years ago with the big pane and small lower slider with solar glass. Nothing on the front - Original OEM glass driver and passenger and windshield (which has clouded up at the edges). I want the tinting in back to be uniform and dark. And something legal on the driver, passenger and windshield.
I would like to get the latest effective tint for UV, IR, and solar heat rejection. From the internet research, it appears that the new Nano Ceramic Tint is at the top of the list. Dyed, Metallic, or Carbon Tint are probably not suitable.
This is where it gets confusing. There is no consensus I can find on best Tint Brands to use or even a comprehensive comparison across manufacturers. Reviews are inconsistent to say the least.
Some of the more widely discussed tint brands (alphabetical order):
3M. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/automotive-window-solutions-us/
Dub IR. https://www.dubirtint.com/
Flexfilm https://flexfilmstore.com/
Huper Optik. https://www.huperoptikusa.com/automotive/
Llumar. https://northamerica.llumar.com/
Madico. https://madico.com/automotive
Solaarguard https://www.solargard.com/automotive/
Other -
I have excluded the O’Reilly’s and Autozone type self-installed dyed tints as I prefer to have an expert do it since the cost of tools and mistakes by me would probably offset the learning experience.
So my question for the GMC community is what tint manufacturer do you like?
[Updated on: Mon, 01 June 2020 16:42] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354719 is a reply to message #354717] |
Fri, 15 May 2020 13:22  |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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Subscribed.....i want to do my windows as well and am not sure what is best...one thing for sure is it's going to be ceramic something or other.
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354723 is a reply to message #354717] |
Fri, 15 May 2020 15:14 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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tint manufactures really want to sell through installer/venders, and they like to keep their secrets.
with that said, if it is needing to be sold via a "professional tint" installing company, it is probably good tint.
Llumar is common.
SunTek I believe is what was put in my coach last year on the windshield and rear window.
3m is commonly known as good tint(the stuff that is sold to dealers).
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354727 is a reply to message #354723] |
Fri, 15 May 2020 20:26 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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I went through this last year when I tried to offer pre-tinted windshields for installation at the GMCMI rally in Mansfield. We were looking for a high IR blockage with minimal light blockage tint. We finally settled on the Huper-Optik product.
We were all set go until we ran into legal problems on what was allowed in the various states and provinces. I actually had an installer near the warehouse all set up to do 26 windshields that then would be delivered / forwarded to the Mansfield rally. We had to pull the plug on the project. It turns out that they would have only been legal in two states and one or more provinces in Canada. I only checked one province, Ontario. We found that there was no federal US or Canadian ban on them. BUT.... We also found that the states stuck their nose into this and there is a wide variety laws against tinting the windshield. This does not apply in most states to the side windows.
As a result of these laws what we found many, many vendors are still tinting windshields but they will not issue receipts and warranty their work or the tint material. They want no paper work trail back to them. They will warranty their work and materials on side and rear windows. The other thing we found was next to no installer will put tint on installed front windshields due to the difficulty of the big inside curve and clearance around the instrument panel on a GMC. A few GMCers have been successful getting an installer to do the work.
These are just a few things that you are up against.
Ken B.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMC RV Window Tint [message #354907 is a reply to message #354841] |
Wed, 20 May 2020 01:29 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Do not get confused with VLT (Visible Light Transfer) and the UV / IR / heat transfer a numbers. To take a given windshield type and have it made with a different VLT requires a different / new DOT registration and number inscribed in the windshield by the manufacturer. THIS APPLIES TO WINDSHIELDS ONLY, not side windows.
Most existing DOT windshields have a 70% or 80% VLT. This is what the cops measure when they want to issue a ticket and force you to remove the film.
You can get some add on film the only adds 5% or 10% to the VLT number (it looks clear) but it rejects over 50 of the heat. That is what you want to look for.
Ohio is one of the two states where installing this is legal and where we were going to install it at the rally in Mansfield. The coaches were licensed in many different states where installing it is illegal.
That said, this stuff is being installed all over the place by many many shops in most states. So go for it, just do not expect a receipt or guaranty for the windshield installation only.
I am still thinking about doing mine.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354912 is a reply to message #354908] |
Wed, 20 May 2020 07:46 |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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Bruce, how dark did you go on the side cockpit windows? And are the rest of the windows tinted as well?
RF_Burns wrote on Wed, 20 May 2020 06:39For what it's worth, we had a band of dark tint put along the top of the windshields a few years ago. Its about 6-8" wide but still well above the drivers view. At the same time we had legal tint (for Ontario) installed on the driver's and passenger's side windows.
Since we had the sides done at the same time as the windshield, I can't say how much it helped with the heat. But the heat gain was significantly reduced with the tint done. It was done maybe 8 years ago so it was the metalized tint common at installers at the time... nothing special.
You can see the "eyebrow" of tint here:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/misc/p62447-the-murray-in-bed-for-winter.html
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354917 is a reply to message #354717] |
Wed, 20 May 2020 16:01 |
kingd
Messages: 592
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 2
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Rick M and others in Ontario, specifically. I believe there is a reasonably new "LAW" regarding window
tinting on motor vehicles in Ontario Canada. I've only been part of several discussions about it and have not read
the MTO Regulation. I've heard that the new MTO Regulation for side window tint says something like "If the officer
cannot discern the indentities of the people in the front seat, he/she can issue a ticket for "illegal"
window tint. Be my guest and look it up in MTO Elaws.
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354919 is a reply to message #354917] |
Wed, 20 May 2020 16:24 |
6cuda6
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
Karma: -6
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I know they had a % maximum at one time but Its pretty much been like that the whole time but it is and was up to the officers discretion.
kingd wrote on Wed, 20 May 2020 17:01Rick M and others in Ontario, specifically. I believe there is a reasonably new "LAW" regarding window
tinting on motor vehicles in Ontario Canada. I've only been part of several discussions about it and have not read
the MTO Regulation. I've heard that the new MTO Regulation for side window tint says something like "If the officer
cannot discern the indentities of the people in the front seat, he/she can issue a ticket for "illegal"
window tint. Be my guest and look it up in MTO Elaws.
Rich Mondor,
Brockville, ON
77 Hughes 2600
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #354922 is a reply to message #354717] |
Wed, 20 May 2020 21:02 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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We had a dark limo tint done on all windows behind the cockpit, and for the cockpit side windows, tinted darker as much as is legal in Florida. Didn't touch the windshield. We like the dark tint on side windows because it helps the windows disappear into the paint job. Here is a pic of our coach.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/our-coach/p67136-lost-dutchman-sp-az.html
We also like the dark tint because it has reduced interior heat build in the summer, and from the outside, during the day you cannot see what is going on inside. So adds a bit of privacy.
The down side is, with that dark of a tint, it makes the sight out of the back window so low as to make the interior rear view mirror useless. So we are considering a rear view camera so I can tell what is happening with the towd. In addition, that dark of a tint leads to us having to turn on lights in the middle of a sunny day, especially if we are parked in the shade. These old eyes need more light and more often than not, we are running lights to be able to adequately see what we are doing. Especially for reading. If I had to do it again, I would not go quite so dark. Just my observations.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
[Updated on: Wed, 20 May 2020 21:07] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #355285 is a reply to message #354717] |
Sun, 31 May 2020 19:53 |
Clark76
Messages: 62
Registered: February 2010
Karma: -2
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Member |
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Window Tint Update from Original Post - 5/15/20
My goal was to tint all he windows in the GMC RV. Back windows (behind Driver/Passenger - Dark, Windshield and Driver/Passenger - "Legally Light".
After looking for a web-based review of comparative window tints (akin to a Consumers Reports review) - I was unsuccessful. Relying on individual web based window tint discussions and feedback from installers and blogs, I was probably more confused. I just narrowed it down to probably wanting a Nano-Ceramic Window tint installed based upon the positive characteristics provided - Good Ultra Violet and Heat Rejection, good color stability and non-interference with GPS/Cell signals.
Next, I proceeded to get estimates from local installers in my area - 5 different "bids" were secured. The range was amazing. High bid was 4 times higher than the low bid and the three in the middle were evenly spaced out for high quality window tint film. The high bidder was akin to a high-pressure "Shiny-Shoe" salesman.
I selected the Low Bid. This gentleman was the most transparent of all I talked with - a good gut-feel he would do a good job. A local one-man shop in the same location for the past 10 years (former electrician apprentice - wanted to own his own business). I received a written bid at the on-set just based upon pictures alone. He said it would take him all day to do it. 70% VLT (Visible Light Transmission) on the Windshield & Driver/Passenger Windows, and 20% VLT on the Back Windows (Note: 5% VLT is Limo Tint and I did not want it that dark - The lower the VLT the darker it looks on the outside-in). Inside-out visibility is very good. I brought it in at 9 a.m. and it was ready at 6 p.m. It also came with a written life-time warranty on the film and installation. To no surprise the windshield was the most difficult and required a seam at each curve that is barely noticeable. I give the job an overall "A-", and the value a "A+". The film used was DUB IR - http://www.dubirtint.com/
The first drive: I am impressed. After installation, we took a weekend 300 mile road-trip in 90 degree heat and Sun. The cock-pit was noticeably cooler and more pleasant drive. This is probably the most important addition I have made for comfort on my GMC. I wish I would have done it years ago!
Pictures after Installation: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g7301-window-tint.html
[Updated on: Sun, 31 May 2020 19:56] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: GMC RV Window Tint [message #355293 is a reply to message #354717] |
Sun, 31 May 2020 21:45 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for report back.
I had almost
The same experience with window tint people over the years. I finally settled on someone last fall and only did the windshield and back window. He fought and succeeded in not having a seam on the windshield, and ripped and wasted alot of film in the process.
I intend to film the rest, but that will require pulling cabinets, so not really in The schedule for a while.
I had him put lighter tint on back window, but he said after
Thay the wife would prefer the limo-darker tint. After conceding he was right, He ripped off that light tint on the back window and installed the darker(limo) tint. He was right and there was virtually no difference looking out from in. But big difference looking in from outside.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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