Window tint... yes or no?
 

Hiya folks,
So I’m a bit stumped here, see, normally I think window tint looks rubbish, but, there are some cars that I think genuinely suit window tint (usually exotic stuff, like Lambos etc).
But I just can’t decide if X100’s suit it or not, what do you folks think?

Also, if you’ve got tints, let’s see some pics? :-)

I plan on getting window tint on mine. I don't care if it looks like rubbish. My car has a black interior, and window tint would help keep it a bit cooler in the summer. That is all I care about.

My two cents: Window tint varies both my darkness and quality,,, IF you do get tint, pay extra for Ceramic or whatever is currently the BEST (with a lifetime warranty) - the worst is when you see wrinkly, crappy tint jobs. The darkness of the tint is normally regulated by the local government so that will determine how dark you can go. I live in South Florida so window tint is a MUST. Here is a pic of my car... I probably would have liked a tad darker on the sides but I am very happy with it (the installer went lighter on the sides since it is a convertible so it wouldn't look bad with the top down and the windows up - which wouldn't have bothered me anyways).
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e52cba71d5.jpg

In case you were wondering how it would look...

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...1968bd016e.jpg

No!!! I can't believe that there is a need for it in Scotland like there is in Florida, and also the law in the UK doesn't allow much tint on front side windows anyway. Altogether too drug-dealer.

correct, there’s nae need, I’m strictly talking aesthetics :-P
I’m still on the fence though, rothwell’s photo looks pretty good! I’d like to see that car from the back, the back window is such a large part, it’s the “toy car” look I’d want to avoid :-P

I love the tint on a hot and sunny Texas day. I despise the tent driving at night.

I think I just need two cars.

I hate to tell other people what to do, so here I go without judgement (or so I hope :)):

Our XK8 came with the darkest window tint on sides and rear, and just a slightly lighter one on the front.
I absolutely hated the look of the car, and although unscheduled, started removing it on a rainy Saturday morning (no way back once you start pulling...).

I personally think the OEM green tinted windows do match the silver body much better, and although living in the tropics, I do not see any negative results (but I do park the car inside if not used).

If I will ever add a tint again, I will go for a much lighter one, like something we have on our Vanden Plas.
That one is quite transparent at sunless days & at night, and reflective if the sun shines.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...bcaeffa805.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...ae84749e94.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...41c5dd51d1.jpg

I love that you photshopped the tint onto the photoshop of the dorchester grey wheels you did of my car. I think it looks great! Thanks Rothwell!

The worst is the DYI job that bubbles or turns purple. Here in S.W. Fla. again it is a necessity if you value your car and your comfort. Law limits level on sides. UK probably would need lights inside the car??

Right-o, bonus round:

Where are we on “smoked” headlights and tail-lights?

I seen a X100 with blacked out tail-lights recently and I thought it looked awful!
BUT, I reckon, and this goes for window tint too, that the colour of the car makes a big difference, it was a silver X100 that I seen with the rubbish blacked lights, but I think a black car with black tail-lights would look great.

Any photos?

I have all my cars tinted to the legal limit, I think it's 35 in NC. Keeps the car much cooler and I like the look, HOWEVER,

as as a motorcycle rider I hate cars with window tint to dark to see the driver clearly. Biker needs to be able to see the driver of a car for safety. So, if you tint please, please pay special attention to motorcycles. Do not roll, even slightly, while at a stop sign or making a cross traffic turn with an on coming bike, that scares the crap out of a biker.
Thank you, the life you save may be a biker friend of yours.

Thats interesting, I assume you need to see the driver so you know wether or not they’ve looked and seen you?

If you want dark tail lights, the only right answer is to source them from a Victory Edition X100.

Tinted just right and Victory's Editions to match
 

This is what you need GiandanielXK8.....

2005 Jaguar XKR Coupe - Onyx/Ivory - BBS 20" "Montreal" Wheels
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...ef1f9dce43.jpg
2005 Jaguar XKR Coupe - Onyx/Ivory Medium Tinted Windows - Victory Edition Tail Lights with LED Bulbs

Billy Clyde in Houston

Giandaniel XK8 and here itis from the Front
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e1615d935d.jpg
2005 Jaguar XKR Coupe - Onyx/Ivory - Osram DTRL

Yes, I am well aware of the beauty that is your car Billy Clyde. If I had a black car, I would try to spec it just like yours.

giandanielxk8....

I wanted everybody to see the results of my Saturday Morning's work....It took about 3 hours in all....I bought a Mother's 2.0 Speed Clay "thingmezig" and sprayed Griot's "Spray on Car Wash" on as the base....Then took off all around the car! The Mother's Speed "Claymezig" worked very well and was a lot faster than a "Clay Bar"...When I finished the Paint was as smooth as Glass! Honestly, It was amazing how smooth it was.....Then I coated the entire car with this new F-11 Top Coat stuff that everybody has been talking about.....Now you've just seen the difference! It kind'a looks like a mirror.....and again, it is smooth as glass!!!

The last time I Clayed the car, it took most of the Week-end and I used 3 Clay Bars...constantly working the Clay over and over...It was a job...I did this whole Car in about an Hour and 20 minutes,,,and the Top Coat went on in about 35 or 40 minutes...I don't know what's in F-!! but it sure does shine pretty! Now, I have to wait and see how long the shine last before I have to hit it again....The advertisement said I should do it again soon or as needed....said that I should pour water on the car and if it was slow to run off in spots, it was time to shoot the F-11 on it again....We'll see how it goes......Keep that XK8 Happy!

Billy Clyde in Houston

Norskate, that's exactualy correct. Bikers need to know the driver sees them.

Beautiful car! Love the wheels too and I'm not normally a fan of aftermarket wheels on these; but those are sharp. The tint looks real nice too.

I've wondered about tint on my convertible. Did you end up tinting the rear window in the top, and if so, do you have any pictures to share? What percentage tint did you end up going for? I know in Michigan, I don't know a single person who has ever gotten a repair ticket other than as a way to write down a moving violation, so legality isn't something I've checked on or am concerned with.

I used tint on my coupe, darker on the rear window and rear side windows and lighter on the large side windows. It helps preserve the interior and keeps it a little cooler. In my state, the darkness is regulated so I had them used the darkest that was legal. I think it pays to get the best quality available so you don't have to redo it soon.

I did tint the rear window as well, but I am not sure of the % that he used... I believe the back is as dark as you can go in Florida and the side windows are a little lighter than the max allowed. Here are some pics:
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...4c9ab5e36f.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...d6d02ffed0.jpg

Ok that looks really good and I am tempted now. I have Florida legal limit tint on my X150 Coupe and last summer it made A TON of difference, even though it was a black on black coupe. I want a tint job to come out just like that.

Just keep in mind that if you're tinting a convertible it gets really hard to see out of the windows with the top down. They turn into mirrors. So you either have to drive with the windows down, or you have to put the top up.

Hey, Reverend Sam.
Great to here from you, how've you been doing.
your videos have helped me alot over the years, are you thinking of buying another XK8/R in the near future.

I have honestly never experienced that... maybe it depends on the shade or type of tint. Maybe the silver tint acts that way, but the gray/black tint I have is fine with the top up or down - no difference.

There is now clear ceramic tint (oxymoron) that blocks 99% of UV rays and 50%-60% of the heat. It is becoming very popular here in South Florida. It is illegal to tint the front windshield with anything, but this stuff is amazing. I am about to have all of my vehicles done.. Only problem is; it is not transferable from one windshield to another if you have it replaced due to damage, and insurance is going to cover it. My local chap is charging $250 a windshield.

It's worth it when you think about how it will save your dash, visors and the rest of your interior. No matter where you live, and if you live in the South, well maybe not Land's End, but South Florida, Texas, Arizona or New Mexico, he tells me on a 95° day it will keep the interior 30° cooler on average. That's the clear stuff. I don't like driving at night with the dark tint on the windows, so this seems like the perfect solutions.

Several years ago, I had a Mini windows tinted with the ceramic film. Saw the demo with a heat lamp and decided that was the way to go. After 2 weeks with the tint, I checked the temp and found it to be just a hot as without the tint(checked before application. The technology is good, the sales/application maybe not so.
I use a dash pad on all my cars, and a windshield screen anytime I am outside for more than 1 hr. I know who installs those, and that they are done right.

Absolutely gorgeous work Rothwell!!!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...c4894d325.jpeg

I have Lunar Grey Metallic and I plan on wither dark black tint or mirror tint. Here’s mine.