Window Tint?

ethanhunt · 01-07-2008, 12:45 AM

Should I get my windows tinted on my new 2008 Prius (package #2). Whats a reasonable price? Can the dealer do it? Who should I go to?

Pinan · 01-07-2008, 02:30 AM

Tint is great. Do a search for "tint". You will find lots of info.

Stay away from purple tint.

slair · 01-07-2008, 08:33 AM

legal limits differ from state to state. Check online and see what your states legal limits are. Usually a tint job on the prius is going to be around $180-$200. (at least in my area). If the legal limits are too light for you (like me) then usually small, non-chain shops will go over the limit...for a price. My tint job was $280, but look at my sig and see why.

JimboK · 01-07-2008, 08:57 AM

Tinting is one of the first modifications I did to my car, mainly to keep it cooler in the summer and for a little privacy. Keeping it cool may help a bit with fuel economy in the summer, possibly allowing the AC to work a little less.

I don't think most dealers do that kind of work; they likely outsource it for cars they have it installed on. But they may be willing to refer you to their vendor. You could search the Yellow Pages, but I'd check out a company carefully before allowing them to do the work: Better Business Bureau, state consumer affairs office (if SC has one), how long in business, etc. You don't want a fly-by-night that won't stand behind its work. Consider larger cities within a reasonable drive like Charleston or Charlotte if you can't find someone locally you're comfortable with.

I can't remember how much I paid for it (it was almost two years ago), but I think it was in the neighborhood of $250 for all side windows (except the little triangular ones at the bottom of the "A" pillars) and the main rear window (not the small one below the "cross bar," which has a tint from the factory).

galaxee · 01-07-2008, 01:40 PM

i know our tint guy does some work down in charlotte, but you might get added travel fees since he's based in the triangle. he did a really great job on our car. if you want his info, let me know.

Blaze · 01-07-2008, 11:30 PM

I just had my 5 rear windows done in a Limo black (3M) on my Spectra Mica Blue Prius. The look is really nice with the blue. Make sure you use a reputable dealer that uses a high quality film. I paid $200 for mine here in San Diego,CA. It was done by Top Dog Tint http://topdogtint.com/window_tinting_services.html . This guy has about 30 years experience tinting windows and it shows.

~Blaze

mlathem1 · 01-09-2008, 08:00 AM

I have the Classic silver prius and tinted my windows with the mirrored silver. I looks freakin awesome, however I tinted them myself as I have tinted windows on my vehicles in the past. I needed the mirrored tint, and just bough pre-cut off ebay. I have never used mirrored before, and did not do to bad, but one crinkle and it shows bad. So, will head to a tint shop in a few months and get them to remove it, and retint mirrored, minus the little crinkles. They all told me $189 to $199, however mine will be a little more since they will have to remove this tint.

priusfreak · 01-09-2008, 03:57 PM

I picked up my 08 Silver #5 last Wednesday. I had it at the tint shop on Friday getting 35% ( legal here in NC ) wrapped all around except the rear bifocal window. I got it for $160 out the door. That jobber pricing not sure what the norm is??
Made a big difference in the way it looks.

priusincc · 01-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Tinting makes a big difference in keeping the interrior cool; also looks cool outside.

Cost me US$180, for all windows and strip across top of windshield. I saw a few posts on heat damage if the tint shop gets carried away with a heat gun; it happened to me. The plastic on door post deformed and the plastic top of one of the door panels melted. Fortunately shop make it good with new parts. Something to think about.

01-07-2008, 12:45 AM	#1
ethanhunt Feline Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 51 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Window Tint? Should I get my windows tinted on my new 2008 Prius (package #2). Whats a reasonable price? Can the dealer do it? Who should I go to?

01-07-2008, 08:33 AM	#3
slair Ubër Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 402 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Window Tint? legal limits differ from state to state. Check online and see what your states legal limits are. Usually a tint job on the prius is going to be around $180-$200. (at least in my area). If the legal limits are too light for you (like me) then usually small, non-chain shops will go over the limit...for a price. My tint job was $280, but look at my sig and see why.

01-07-2008, 08:57 AM	#4
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 1,995 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	Re: Window Tint? Tinting is one of the first modifications I did to my car, mainly to keep it cooler in the summer and for a little privacy. Keeping it cool may help a bit with fuel economy in the summer, possibly allowing the AC to work a little less. I don't think most dealers do that kind of work; they likely outsource it for cars they have it installed on. But they may be willing to refer you to their vendor. You could search the Yellow Pages, but I'd check out a company carefully before allowing them to do the work: Better Business Bureau, state consumer affairs office (if SC has one), how long in business, etc. You don't want a fly-by-night that won't stand behind its work. Consider larger cities within a reasonable drive like Charleston or Charlotte if you can't find someone locally you're comfortable with. I can't remember how much I paid for it (it was almost two years ago), but I think it was in the neighborhood of $250 for all side windows (except the little triangular ones at the bottom of the "A" pillars) and the main rear window (not the small one below the "cross bar," which has a tint from the factory). __________________ Jim Lifetime fuel mileage: After learning how to hypermile: Click here for car details.

01-07-2008, 11:30 PM	#6
Blaze Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 9 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Window Tint? I just had my 5 rear windows done in a Limo black (3M) on my Spectra Mica Blue Prius. The look is really nice with the blue. Make sure you use a reputable dealer that uses a high quality film. I paid $200 for mine here in San Diego,CA. It was done by Top Dog Tint http://topdogtint.com/window_tinting_services.html . This guy has about 30 years experience tinting windows and it shows. ~Blaze

01-09-2008, 08:00 AM	#7
mlathem1 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dallas Posts: 16 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Window Tint? I have the Classic silver prius and tinted my windows with the mirrored silver. I looks freakin awesome, however I tinted them myself as I have tinted windows on my vehicles in the past. I needed the mirrored tint, and just bough pre-cut off ebay. I have never used mirrored before, and did not do to bad, but one crinkle and it shows bad. So, will head to a tint shop in a few months and get them to remove it, and retint mirrored, minus the little crinkles. They all told me $189 to $199, however mine will be a little more since they will have to remove this tint.

01-07-2008, 02:30 AM	#2
Pinan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 171 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Window Tint? Tint is great. Do a search for "tint". You will find lots of info. Stay away from purple tint.

01-07-2008, 01:40 PM	#5
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,075 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	Re: Window Tint? i know our tint guy does some work down in charlotte, but you might get added travel fees since he's based in the triangle. he did a really great job on our car. if you want his info, let me know.

01-09-2008, 03:57 PM	#8
priusfreak Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NC Posts: 18 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Window Tint? I picked up my 08 Silver #5 last Wednesday. I had it at the tint shop on Friday getting 35% ( legal here in NC ) wrapped all around except the rear bifocal window. I got it for $160 out the door. That jobber pricing not sure what the norm is?? Made a big difference in the way it looks.

01-10-2008, 10:07 PM	#9
priusincc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 189 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Window Tint? Tinting makes a big difference in keeping the interrior cool; also looks cool outside. Cost me US$180, for all windows and strip across top of windshield. I saw a few posts on heat damage if the tint shop gets carried away with a heat gun; it happened to me. The plastic on door post deformed and the plastic top of one of the door panels melted. Fortunately shop make it good with new parts. Something to think about.