When I first got my Fiero it had tinted rear and side windows.





In Germany I had to remove the side window tint as that's not legal and that's how they are now.



Now I want to replace the old film on the rear windows and also tint the side windows again.

I'm undecided on how dark to go. This is what's legal here: http://tintlaws.com/laws/FL/

Please post pictures of your car with tinted side windows IF you can tell me how dark (percentage) it is. Is it possible to safely tint the GT sail panels?

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Currently being upgraded at Whodeanie Customs with many TLG Automotive parts

www.yellowfiero.com Pictures Modifications

You definately can tint the sail panels whatever you like. As far as the sides and the rear, I would just say screw it and go for the 2% or 5% limo tint for the rear glass and a 15% for the sides. The worst you will have is a fix-it ticket for $30.00......unless Florida has higher fix-it tickets than California.

Considering that you don't have vehicle inspections in FL what is the risk of going too dark? Do the police there carry meters and check you on the roadside?

Here in Texas the professional shops are required to put a sticker on the window stating that it's legal. If you do the tint yourself you are on your own.

I just got my car inspected yesterday and I was told that I was couple of points over the limit but they let me slide.

This is my claimed illegal side tint - measured at 28% But the law is 25% which is why I suppose he let me go.

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 03-04-2012).]

Why is it not legal in Germany?

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Why is it not legal in Germany?

Good question....yet they have a 1000 mph speed limit on the Autobahn. (Actually 81mph but the 1000 helps for the story )

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 03-04-2012).]

It's not legal for the windshield and front side windows because it impedes the drivers vision. That's important if your moving at 1000 mph

quote Originally posted by mattwa: Why is it not legal in Germany?

[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 03-04-2012).]

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: It's not legal for the windshield and front side windows because it impedes the drivers vision. That's important if your moving at 1000 mph

Here the windshield is illegal because of the view also. The sides are made illegal by the police because when they approach a car at night time with their flashlights, they cannot see if the driver has a gun pointed at them through the glass if it is tinted.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 03-04-2012).]

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: Not so. Where did you get that from?

my 5 minutes of research indicate that the unrestricted portions of the autobahn have a recommended limit of 130 km/h or 81 mph

http://www.autobahnatlas-on...e/LegendeLimit_e.pdf
http://www.autobahnatlas-online.de/Limitkarte.pdf

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 03-04-2012).]

I don't need to research this, I was born there. The Richtgeschwindigkeit is not a limit but a recommendation. On the unrestricted portions of the Autobahn you can legally go as fast as you want (safely).

Now back to my question about window tinting.

[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 03-04-2012).]

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: Now back to my question about window tinting.

I believe you on the autobahn.. but notice that I did post a response to your query. 25% legal tint will look about like my car above.

I really like the look of 30% on the sides and rear, then a 70% on the ENTIRE front windshield.

The 30% looks dark enough to be obviously tinted, but not so dark that it makes it hard to see outside or into the car. The 70% tint on the windshield is mostly for UV protection - keeping unwanted rays in the front (This is where most sunlight enters your car) and helps keep the car warmer and cooler when you need it to be. When you tint the front windshield it will also make the rest of your tint appear darker. It's a good look.

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: I don't need to research this, I was born there. The Richtgeschwindigkeit is not a limit but a recommendation. On the unrestricted portions of the Autobahn you can legally go as fast as you want (safely). Now back to my question about window tinting.

Are you sure you know???

Just kidding.

As for tint, it's a personal taste thing, but since you are in Florida I would certainly get something. I think a light grey would look better on your car than a darker "blackout", but that's just an opinion.

Brad

quote Originally posted by Oslo: , then a 70% on the ENTIRE front windshield.

This is illegal in every state in the US... You can't have tint on the windshield below the AS1 line.

I'd really like to see a pic of a GT with tinted sail panels.

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: In Germany I had to remove the side window tint as that's not legal....

I thought you were having the car transported back to Germany? I remember Dean trying to scramble and finish it up in time for you to ship it.

20%

No, that was someone else who's in the military and was deployed to Germany. My Fiero is still at Dean's and will hopefully be ready for Daytona.

quote Originally posted by JohnWPB: I thought you were having the car transported back to Germany? I remember Dean trying to scramble and finish it up in time for you to ship it.

Back on topic...I highly doubt that the law will be concerned about your tint unless you are racing or doing something stupid. You and your wife should be fine driving with the darker tint. I wouldn't think you would be hassled unless you broke the law by speeding or running a red light. THEN you may get a hassle about the tint.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 03-04-2012).]

I had a local shop tint the side and rear windows on my Fiero to 28%, and it isn't too dark (IMO) to see at night. Plus, people can still see in and recognize me. I decided not to go with 15% on the rear window (which is the legal limit) because I didn't want to hamper rear visibility when backing up at night.

That said, don't get cheap with the tint. I'm sure you won't. But I just wanted to warn everyone else. You definitely get what you pay for, especially with the cheap stuff. The $100 tint jobs will fade and bubble up. Plus, the film will turn an ugly purple color over time. That's because it uses dye to color the film. The film that's colored with metallized flakes is better. It won't fade. Plus, it usually is a nice bronze or smoke color.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 03-04-2012).]

20-30% on sides and sail panels, limo tint on the back window.

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: I'd really like to see a pic of a GT with tinted sail panels.

It doesn't look like it in that first picture but my sail panels are tinted 20%

In the picture below, the car is being loaded to be used in the movie...the side tint was removed so the sail panel tint is more noticeable.

Ps - although some have actually applied tint to sail windows the proper way to to get sail panels that are already tinted. Film applied to your existing windows are going to be exposed to the elements, including the heat from the engine. I don't expect it would last long.

[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 03-04-2012).]

Check first in Dallas TX my truck side widow tint was legal in South Texas they would not allow it and would not pass the truck until I removed it. I got mad and ripped it off in front of the guy and told him to put the MF sticker on the truck after three stations turned it down.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Ps - although some have actually applied tint to sail windows the proper way to to get sail panels that are already tinted. Film applied to your existing windows are going to be exposed to the elements, including the heat from the engine. I don't expect it would last long.

Kolja, I have tint applied to my sail panels on my 86 GT. jscott1 is correct....the film is exposed to the heat and elements, and can bubble and peel rather easily. Mine were tinted by a previous owner, and the job was terrible, so I had a professional redo it. It took me a while to find someone that would do it...most of the tint installers must have had prior experience with Fieros, as they just declined to do it. Finally, I found someone that would, and it turned out great...and lasted for about a year before it started to bubble. He gave a lifetime warranty with his tint jobs, and he redid it. It's lasted several years this time...but I hardly ever drive the car anymore, it mostly comes out for shows and an occasional sunny day drive. If you can find tinted sail panels...or find someone to apply a spray tint to your existing windows...I'd suggest going that way.

[This message has been edited by litespd (edited 03-04-2012).]

Just a little something I learned a long time ago on my first Fiero....

I had the rear window tinted dark as legal here, 15%. When driving at night I found it very distracting, as all I could see in the rear view mirror at night, was oncoming traffic's headlights! With the really dark tint on the rear window, it just acted like a large mirror that reflected what was in front of the car.

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 03-05-2012).]

Zero unless you want to lose the Euro look.

I had limo tint on all windows. The rear is "ok" in the daylight, the night time, I couldn't tell ya if a cop was behind me or not!

Very hard to see out limo on the sides. I would go down to the legal limit on the sides and then limo on the rear for the sun protection, bright headlights behind ya, cool factor, etc.

You can add a limo tint to the windshield to the as line, (Like an eyebrow) if that will help with the FL sun.

A quality glass tint shop should know the rules of tinting in Florida. Many times the police do not like very dark tint, because they cannot see in, if they stop you. At night it does make it hard to see out.

I know the rules, see my first post: http://tintlaws.com/laws/FL/

I'd like to see some more pictures of Fieros with their respective tint percentages. Please.

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: I'd really like to see a pic of a GT with tinted sail panels.

Side glass 28%, rear window 15% and sail panels =.whatever % Fiero Warehouse makes them at......
Windshield top tint is PPG factory, (no film)
All tinting is 100% Florida legal






www.teameracing.com
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[This message has been edited by randye (edited 03-05-2012).]

5% and very Illegal... however due to my migraines I have a medical exemption. The tint was legal when I got it, but since then the laws have changed and now it is illegal. They have now updated the tint laws to say you have to have 23% or such foolishness. There is 35 (legal) and then 20 then 15 then 5... Someone decided to pick 23 because there is nothing b/w 35 and 20... figure they would force even the medical needs into the legal range. That's GA for you!

Ok I have a windshield strip 5% that is lower then legal... Again the medical waiver did allow it when I got it.



Side is also 5%



rear also 5%



Also tinted the taillights, side markers and turn signals with 15% window cling

The Fiero has not been out much but cop used to torture me in the Firebird with my red reflective tint. Had one cop pull a gun on me 2x even when the windows were down. Yes he stopped me twice. Very crazy story! Long story short very excessive and embarrassed his chief who had to come out and inspect the car and issue an apology for his rookies over the top behavior. Funny thing was he came up to me at a car show a few years later and apologized for being such a punk! He had a nice blacked out camaro...

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1984 Indy Fiero SE Pace Car Replica #770
"SE" Stormtrooper Edition Rescued, resuscitated and reversibly modified! (I'm so not done yet!)

Poly all round & Black Drag DR-34s
Frt: 225/45 on 18x8 (47 offset w/ 8-9mm spacer) 1.5 coils cut off 1984 WS6 springs
Rear: 265/35 on 18x8.5 (45 offset) Coil-overs w/ 10 inch 300lb springs & 7 inch sleeve

Everything is the previous owners fault!

Varies by every state. Ohio law says only top portion of windshield can have any kind of decal (to the mark), side window no more than 35% and any behind the driver can be anything....even painted if you want. Its a pull over offense and last I knew ticket was just over $100. I know several people that were also told to remove it on the spot or they would be impounded.

quote Originally posted by rogergarrison: I know several people that were also told to remove it on the spot or they would be impounded.

Thats a fun perk, seen this too.

I know the maximum limit on tint on the drivers and passengers doors are 35% in Florida and Texas....darker than that is suppose to be illegal.

Not so, I have posted the rules concerning this several times already: http://tintlaws.com/laws/FL/

quote Originally posted by larini74: I know the maximum limit on tint on the drivers and passengers doors are 35% in Florida and Texas....darker than that is suppose to be illegal.

It shows Ohio allows 50%, and I know when I did mine police said 35% (according to website, Ohio as of 2004 is 50%). I thought Florida was one of the most lenient for dark tint. I see a lot of Fl plates here with limo tint (5%) all around. So wherever you are, check the latest law to be safe. So I guess mine is illegal now at 35% and they also ban reflective film. Mine are slightly bronzed.

[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 03-06-2012).]

quote Originally posted by yellowstone: I'd really like to see a pic of a GT with tinted sail panels.

Here is what my yellow GT Fiero with tinted sails look like. No side window tint.

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86 GT
87 coupe restoration project.

Just had the Wind Dancer retinted last week, I'm sure there are a lot of owners who would not like it and the pic's don't really do it justice but when you see it parked and walk around it or driving down the road it's a mind blower. The tint is called rainbow tint. And that excaty what it looks like as the color changes at different angles So a few pic's.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: Back on topic...I highly doubt that the law will be concerned about your tint unless you are racing or doing something stupid. You and your wife should be fine driving with the darker tint. I wouldn't think you would be hassled unless you broke the law by speeding or running a red light. THEN you may get a hassle about the tint.

If only this were true. I live in Missouri and HAD tinted windows. They were tinted at what I assume was at one time 20% or 25% but faded to 28%. I was pulled over three times, in three different places (once on the interstate when the Patrolman was heading the opposite direction but turned around and caught up to me to pull me over for my windows) because of the tint. Finally, one Easter I was pulled over, at night, for my windows and was given a ticket. I then removed the tint. I bought the car with the tint on there, and in Missouri tint checks are not part of a vehicle's inspection. I hear in St. Louis when you get pulled over for tint the police take a razor to your tint and cut a big "X" across it. Wouldn't surprise me. I'm not knocking police, as I was once one myself, and I know tint can be a huge safety issue.

[This message has been edited by deloreanant (edited 03-11-2012).]