State of NC suddenly VERY STRICT on vehicle window tint...

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 11:52 am

Last weekend I took one of my cars (that I've owned since 2003) for a state inspection at the Jiffy Lube near my house. I've always taken it there and it's always passed without a problem. It does have window tint that is apparently slightly darker than legal, but the meters used before read it as acceptable and I went on my way after paying my $10 fee.

This time was different. It failed. He showed me the meter reading and that he tested it twice and in two different locations. He explained that the state's new inspection meters are much more accurate and that they are only allowing up to 3% below legal limit to be read on the meter before you will be failed.

The legal limit for autos is 35% on all windows and for other vehicles such as SUV/truck/commercial is 35% for front windows and I believe anything goes in the rear side windows and on the rear glass. Seems a little unfair, but I'm not in the position to fight it.

The manager at the Jiffy Lube told me a story of a guy who failed inspection at their shop, took it to a different shop, paid the guy a bribe, and got it passed. Next thing you know, a rep. from DMV shows up at the car owner's house, tests the windows, sees that they fail, and apparently prosecutes the owner and fines the shop and, according to Jiffy Lube manager, the guy serves jail time. Not sure I believe this (bad or no lawyer?) but even so, DMV is serious about tint. Good thing they're attacking the real serious problems out there and watching out for our best interest.

Then, I called the tint shop where I got the job done (Formula One - they have done all my cars since 1997 and my entire house). He confirms I chose a slightly darker tint, so it's fully my fault, and as a result I'll be taking it in Saturday to get removed and re-done with lighter tint. I don't want anything to do with bribes, fines, or jail time over something ridiculous like tint. But he also tells me a similar story to the Jiffy Lube story, where a guy fails for tint, knowing full well his tint isn't legal, then 2 hours later takes it to another shop who passes it (no bribe involved here, apparently) and then a few hours later, DMV shows up at his house asking questions and testing it again, showing it failed. They made him remove it and fined the shop pretty heavily.

Bottom line: be careful with what you decide to do if your car is questionable. I was not aiming to drive around with limo tint - mine is only a few % lower than the limit but keeps the sun out much better (I'm from FL - this is considered light for FL!). Lots of people out there have illegal tint and someone will get busted for it, fined, or maybe worse.

You have been warned!

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:09 pm

My cars were done professionally as well with 35% legal tint. No professional shop in Wilson will do illegal tint, though you can buy the tint and do it yourself.

I have had my share of issues with tint, but that was in my younger days when it was first made illegal in NC. I had an '86 Camaro with 8% limo tint all-around. I had people ask me if I could actually see out! Truth be told, on a country road (unlit) at night, I'd have to roll down the side windows to really 'see'. Yes, I was an idiot.

Also Brian, AFAIK, yes, all other windows beside the driver and passsenger front doors are exempt....IF....you have two *approved side mirrors.

*From what I was told (could have been B.S.) you'd need the mirrors like you'd see on a F-250 towing a camper!

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:16 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Also Brian, AFAIK, yes, all other windows beside the driver and passsenger front doors are exempt....IF....you have two *approved side mirrors.

*From what I was told (could have been B.S.) you'd need the mirrors like you'd see on a F-250 towing a camper!

In reading the NC statute (can't find it again now) it seemed like passenger cars had to be 35% max all around while SUV/truck/van get exempted for all but the front windows. Quite unfair. If soccer moms can drive around with 20% rear tint, why can't I?

In the old days you could just pay the guy and risk being pulled over and being fined but now that's no longer an option if you want to avoid a serious fine, jail time, or other similar trouble. It's just not worth it.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:46 pm

Does the SUV/van exception also include station wagons? I assume so, but if they are getting strict a wagon isn't a minivan... I'm thinking about tinting the rear windows of the WRX, and lesser tint on the front windows but want to stay clear of anything illegal.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:48 pm

Steven Carter wrote:

Does the SUV/van exception also include station wagons? I assume so, but if they are getting strict a wagon isn't a minivan... I'm thinking about tinting the rear windows of the WRX, and lesser tint on the front windows but want to stay clear of anything illegal.

I believe a wagon counts as a passenger vehicle and not a van/SUV. Your tint shop should know for sure and be willing to back you up in the case of an inspection failure.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:54 pm

Off topic....sort of. How much does a full tint job cost by a good shop? My wife wants to get her Accords windows tinted and I'd rather pay for it only once

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 1:57 pm

Probably ranges from $250-500 depending on quality of material and number of windows being done.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:02 pm

Brian Marks wrote:

Probably ranges from $250-500 depending on quality of material and number of windows being done.

For reference, my Fusion was $325 IIRC.

BTW, just in case you are thinking about it, you don't want to mess with it yourself. Flat windows are easy. Compound curves like the Accord's rear window are NOT. If need a visualization, imagine trying to place a paper towel, inside a cereal bowl, with no wrinkles.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:07 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

Probably ranges from $250-500 depending on quality of material and number of windows being done.

For reference, my Fusion was $325 IIRC.

BTW, just in case you are thinking about it, you don't want to mess with it yourself. Flat windows are easy. Compound curves like the Accord's rear window are NOT. If need a visualization, imagine trying to place a paper towel, inside a cereal bowl, with no wrinkles.

I use Formula One on Falls of Neuse (formerly Spring Forest) in Raleigh. They have other locations also. They've done 8-10 cars and my entire house for me. Great service from them - go see Keith and tell him I sent you. I won't get anything out of it but a "thanks" but I like him to know I value his company highly enough to recommend him to friends and acquaintances.

Vincent is right, it's challenging. Formula One uses a computer cut pattern so that the tint goes right to the edge of the glass and warranties all their work for life. Seems expensive up front but its really not, and they take good care of your car and are careful with the interior, exterior, etc.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:20 pm

Brian Marks wrote:

I use Formula One on Falls of Neuse (formerly Spring Forest) in Raleigh. They have other locations also. They've done 8-10 cars and my entire house for me.

Any idea if they 'have tint, will travel' Brian? I have some windows at my house that I'd like to have done. I'm in Elm City, about 45 mins east of Raleigh.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:23 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

I use Formula One on Falls of Neuse (formerly Spring Forest) in Raleigh. They have other locations also. They've done 8-10 cars and my entire house for me.

Any idea if they 'have tint, will travel' Brian? I have some windows at my house that I'd like to have done. I'm in Elm City, about 45 mins east of Raleigh.

Sure do, Vincent. They literally did my ENTIRE house - front, sides, and rear. Back then my basement wasn't finished so those are not done, but the rest of it is. Here's their website:

Vehicle: http://www.formulaonetinting.com/
Building: http://www.formulaonetinting.com/all-pr ... -film.html

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:38 pm

Brian Marks wrote:

They literally did my ENTIRE house - front, sides, and rear.

I guess houses/windows vary too much for some type of ballpark figure? IMO a flat house window (w/o muttons) would be much easier to do so I wouldn't think there would be an apples-to-apples type of cost comparison between the two.

Also the website was lacking pics of film choices, etc.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:41 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

They literally did my ENTIRE house - front, sides, and rear.

I guess houses/windows vary too much for some type of ballpark figure? IMO a flat house window (w/o muttons) would be much easier to do so I wouldn't think there would be an apples-to-apples type of cost comparison between the two.

Also the website was lacking pics of film choices, etc.

It's highly dependent on which type you choose, how many windows, what size, etc. A custom quote is the only real way, but call over there and see if maybe they can give you a very rough estimate. They must be able to somehow.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:50 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

Probably ranges from $250-500 depending on quality of material and number of windows being done.

For reference, my Fusion was $325 IIRC.

BTW, just in case you are thinking about it, you don't want to mess with it yourself. Flat windows are easy. Compound curves like the Accord's rear window are NOT. If need a visualization, imagine trying to place a paper towel, inside a cereal bowl, with no wrinkles.

Don't worry, wasn't considering a DIY on this. Hell I can't even clean my rear window 100%. There is ALWAYS a hazy part somewhere

.

Brian Marks · **Posted:** Wed Aug 31, 2011 2:52 pm

JamesShort wrote:

Vincent Keene wrote:

Brian Marks wrote:

Probably ranges from $250-500 depending on quality of material and number of windows being done.

For reference, my Fusion was $325 IIRC.

BTW, just in case you are thinking about it, you don't want to mess with it yourself. Flat windows are easy. Compound curves like the Accord's rear window are NOT. If need a visualization, imagine trying to place a paper towel, inside a cereal bowl, with no wrinkles.

Don't worry, wasn't considering a DIY on this. Hell I can't even clean my rear window 100%. There is ALWAYS a hazy part somewhere

.

LMAO! So true...Every time I clean mine I think "wow, that was dirty" and then upon driving it the first time after, immediately notice it's smudged to hell.

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State of NC suddenly VERY STRICT on vehicle window tint...

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