I'm considering getting my windows tinted. Just boring, gray, Ohio-legal tint, no mirror stuff or funny colors.

For those of you who have tint, what are the drawbacks? As far as maintenance, cleaning, removal (if and when), problems with the rear defroster, etc? The sun does not get along with my black car, so this is not really a cosmetic consideration, it's a comfort thing, so please, no replies about how tint looks stupid ;)

Thanks in advance.

I pay $170 for my tints plus taking my old one off.

The tint i have it called "LUMAR", this is the top of the line tint out on the market .

i think thomas nailed it. you want your tint to be LLUMAR (that how it's spelled on their website). i really can't think of any drawbacks. you'll wanna clean the inside of your windows w/ a non-ammonia based cleaner. windex or glass plus has several water based "streak free" kinds. provided you get quality (again, llumar is the key word) tint, the defroster won't even be an issue. removal, well depending on how skilled you feel, can be either tricky or fairly simple. i've installed tint on sliding glass doors, but that's cake compared to auto glass. :)

Formula One brand tint is also awesome quality.... the important thing when you get your windows tinted is make sure you get a lifetime warranty against blueing/bubbling/cracking, so you dont end up lookin like all those POS tint jobs you see driving around

Opps

i mean LLUMAR

I have LLUMAR Tint as well, i have 5% Tint all the way around, The only draw back i can see is if you have trouble seing period the darker the tint the harder it will be for you to see at night, on the other hand my parents are 51 and also have 5% tint all the way around on there 01 RT so take into consideration what your eyesight is and how much light you want to block also check with the local law enforcement to find out what is legal and what is not legal. Some states or areas require you to have 20% or 35% so check before you get it done. Hope this Helps

I've had 5% tint on my windows on my last two cars. Looks pretty good, lifetime warranty for only $95 bucks total.

Its not a problem driving around at night, just manuevering. I say this because when you are driving the tint takes the annoying shine of the headlights of the car behind you (i haven't used the dimmer on my rear view mirror for years. . .) but you can obviously still see them.

Its just a little harder when backing out of parking lots and stuff, because people walking behind your car don't usually have headlights handy :p

Get it, you won't be sorry.

I agree, if you have someone do it, make sure you get a lifetime guarantee against bubbling, cracking, blueing, etc. My car had cheap tint put in and it turned purple. All tints fade regardless of what they tell you, but whetehr it just turns a lighter tint or turns purple is what you should probably be more concerned about. If the shop is a good one, you shouldn't have to clean your windows before you have them do it. If you're doing it yourself then I would use Dirtex aerosol glass cleaner (you can get it at paint shops and hardware stores) and a single endged razor blade, just be careful not to scratch the glass. If you have the work done, make sure that whatever tint you get in back, that they only use a single layer. My car had two layers to make it dark enough. The first layer came off easy, the second layer I've still yet to get all the way off. It peels off in tiny pieces and because of the defroster grid, I can't just scrape it off with a razor blade. Rear defroster is going to be tough upon removal regardless though. If you need to remove old tint or ever have to, that Dirtex is about the only thing that will dissolve the adhesive. The tint will likely peel off easily, but the glue is another issue. Dirtex a razor blade and some rags to keep the glue off your upholstery and to wipe the razor blade off, are all you need to remove tint and it is quite easy. And that, is my 2 cents on it.

Also to add to these tips...

When cleaning the inside windows with the tint safe cleaner make sure you use a soft cloth nothing abrasive,cause some paper towels will scratch the shit out of your windows....