Window Tint and the Rear Window
 

Anyone else notice that the rear window on the RX-8 is so curved it will be virtually impossible to have a "one piece" tinted rear window? (which means some added "lines" on the rear window where they have to meet the tint)

I also have concerns about having someone tint the windows regardless. I have had cars that have come out very good to perfect, but on at least one or two occasions, I've had the window tinters put small blemishes in one form or another on what was a "perfect" brand new car. Strangers usually just don't go out of their way to take care of other people's things I guess, which is part of the reason I do EVERYTHING I possibly can on my own cars.(and yes they reimbursed me, but the car just isn't the "same" after that). I know sometimes I'm pretty anal about scratches, door dings, etc. in general and in an imperfect world, shit happens, but this is one car I might just pass up on window tint on, especially if the factory windows have at least some UV protection on them.

I've always had my tints done by "reputable" aftermarket places and ALWAYS buy high quality film. Maybe I should just have the dealer do it if they offer it so that if anything happens, it's their responsibility?


Decisions, decisions.......

Didn't I also read somewhere that the radio antenna (not to mention the window defroster) is going to be on the rear window? This might cause a reception problem if the high quality "metalized" (titanium, etc.) tint is used. Anyone know if this might be a problem?

Re: Window Tint and the Rear Window
 

My MX-3 has much more curve in the rear window than the RX-8 has, what a good installer does is cut the film along one of the rear defroster lines. This makes the cut/join virtually invisible. My tint has been on the car now for about 9 years now and it still looks like it was applied at the factory. There is no substitute for quality film and a talented installer.

Re: Re: Window Tint and the Rear Window
 

I know it's possible to try and follow the lines of the defroster elements, but it doesn't look very feasible on the RX-8, at least from the pictures I've seen. (elements seem to have sharp turns forward at the window curves. Guess we'll see when it gets here in person.

Anyone have any feedback on the radio reception thing on maybe another car they've owned with tint on the window antenna?

My Alero has the antenna in rear window and only some very powerful power lines and some steel and concrete bridges and overpasses and tunnels interfer in receptions the Allegany is one that comes to mind.:mad: But mostly 85% of time no problems.

any tinter worth their salt will use a "lazer" cutting system. All this is is a computer controlled plotter that will cut exact, and i mean exact, window prints. They use the factory dimensions and they line up approx. 1 mm from the edge of the window all the way around. After getting my protege tinted on this system, i will never trust someone to use an exacto knive on my windows again.

About the metal content in the tint.... The tint placed over the antenna, so that the antenna is sandwiched b/w the window and the tint, therefore no obstruction is made. Ive read plenty of times about antennas being "in the window" but they are in fact in the A-pillar, or running accros the top of the rear window but not incorperated into the glass itself.

I have a 2nd Gen Eclipse that was done with the computer system above. The curve of the back window was such that they used several parts, all following the defroster lines. The tint is 3 years old and looks stock. Any halfway decent tinting place should be able to do this buy now. And a good auto detailing place should know just where to point you (if they dont do it themselves already).

good
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Wendie 99

no my wifes millenia has limo tint on her car and the radio is good .mazda has been using that on the millenia from 97 until 2002it okey.

I wish mazda would tint them from the factory. Just like Mercedes does with that cool blueish tint. I would also leave it alone if it came with some kind of UV protection

im not an engineer, but there are a few interesting things about alluminum. It is not magnetic yet if you put it in the microwave you get a light show!! Although I don't think you will come into contact with any microwaves or that magnitude on the road

put a cd-r in the microwave if you want to see something neat.....

The laser cut tint sounds really interesting, something I will make sure to demand if and when I decide to tint my RX-8.

That is definitely another one of my pet peeves about window tinting, the ALMOST invisible scratches the exacto knives make when they trim the tint against the glass from the outside by hand.

Someone could make a lot of money if they could mass produce those laser cut window tint sheets and sell them to the general public for us "do-it-yourselfers".

where to find?
 

where can u find those lazer cut tint shop...are they common? this is the first time i heard about it...its interesting...now i heard about it the next car i will put tint on will have to be lazer cut tint...:D

i got mine at Clear Impressions in Jacksonville. It's actually a very nice deal and the lazer cutting plotter is definately advertized if the company has it cuz it costs so friggin much. I doubt they will ever produce pre-cut sheets to the public. As far as i know they are all cut on site by the machine