Community Forums

Mrfoto · 08-22-2016, 02:14 PM

I had a local auto glass company tint my motorhome windows. WOW! Dramatic improvement. No more sunburned arms thru side windows! The glare reduction was wonderful in fighting afternoon sun. However, the major effect was the heat reduction in the glass greenhouse cab area. Finally, the dash air could keep up with the airconditioning the front cab area. Why didn't I do this sooner?

MSHappyCampers · 08-22-2016, 02:21 PM

Congrats Paul! I am planning to do mine myself. Could you share with us how much you had to pay for the job?

Are you saying they tinted the windshield too? I didn't think that was legal.

AKOne · 08-22-2016, 06:27 PM

Thanks for the post Paul. I too am interested in the cost. Also, do you know if it is possible to add tinting to the upper part of a windshield?

keymastr · 08-22-2016, 06:40 PM

Most states have a percentage they use to determine how dark you can tint the front glass.

pallencollin · 08-22-2016, 08:02 PM

If I understand your subject title correctly, you tinted your windshield. I'm of the understanding it is illegal to tint a windshield. ?????????

Peter & Kathy Collins
Woodland WA
2014 Anthem 42DEQ

Mr_D · 08-22-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pallencollin

If I understand your subject title correctly, you tinted your windshield. I'm of the understanding it is illegal to tint a windshield. ?????????

Right you are, at least here in WA! You can add tint to a band across the top of the windshield but not to where your normal line of site is. You can tint side windows but only to a certain % unless it's direct from the car or RV manufacturer. The State Patrol has a meter that they can check it with.

Mrfoto · 08-23-2016, 05:51 PM

Answers to rv friends on window tinting motorhome.
1. Ok up front please realize that I did not do the limo blackout tint or mirror reflectors.
2. Big important fact. Check your resident state laws. VA has a medical form that you can have filled out by your doctor, preferably your eye doctor or ophthalmologist for medical certification exemption. This allows you to tint the entire front windshield up to 30%, or as long as the light transmission is at least 70%. Next you have to have rearview mirrors on each side in VA. Last, but not least, the reflective value has to be 20% or less. Even the clear as well as the tints will block 99% of uv rays.
3. With medical exemption you can do side windows with a up to 50% light transmission and 20% reflective value.
4. With medical I can have a darker tint on the top 6 inches of windshield.

But be sure and check your state laws very closely. There are a lot of websites that have the state laws. I used Llumna film, a kodak subsidiary, and they also have a state by state table.

5. Cost, 2 double side front windows, 4 surfaces, large, 40% tint &16% reflective $120
Windshield, entire front 1 piece, "billboard size" 25% tint, 16% reflective $250
Received smalll discount on side windows of $30 by doing all at one time, but still took about 4 hours labor. The front was a bear. They applied it to front outside first using 2 pickup trucks, 3 guys on step ladders to size and cut and then took inside and installed, 2 guys holding and 1 guy mounting. Then 1 guy on each side window. I think they will have a price increase on the big 1 piece front windshield very soon. (3 guys @ 2 1/2 hours)

Mrfoto · 08-23-2016, 05:58 PM

[B]Additional Cost on Window Tinting
Forgot to include that I had to run the generator and air conditioner for 4 hours. They could not get MH in service bays.

**CountryFit** · 08-23-2016, 06:57 PM

Mr Foto, You got an awesome price!
I tinted mine myself, sides and front; I know how challenging it was. The front on mine was tough but not too bad for I have a two piece windshield (I didn't cut it at outside but entirely inside).

Digz · 08-23-2016, 08:41 PM

Local tint guy told me to tint my front windshield. He said they have a clear tint that stops 99% UV and i believe he said 45% heat reduction.

I thought i would check into this more before doing it but thats pretty awesome , anything would be better than nothing

Mrfoto · 08-23-2016, 09:06 PM

I agree that $370 total was great for 3 technicians working 2 & 1/2 hours and 2 guys working 1 hour each. 9 and 1/2 man hours total. Like I said, I see a price increase very soon for motorhomes. Yes the clear does block 99% of UV rays and 43% heat.

gcannon · 08-23-2016, 09:24 PM

I had my windshield tinted with tint that I picked up at a Home Depot store but afterwards it would not pass state inspection in Texas.

Digz · 08-23-2016, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcannon

I had my windshield tinted with tint that I picked up at a Home Depot store but afterwards it would not pass state inspection in Texas.

You can in Texas with clear

gcannon · 08-23-2016, 09:55 PM

I was at a restaurant and the sun was shining in the waitress came over and pull down the shade. The shade was made of heavy smoke tint material so I contacted the company and they made to fit my front windshield with a chain drive to raise and lower this dropped our temperature by 15 degrees what a relief and they are legal since they are not attached to the windshield, but at night time the shades are so dark you have to raise them to see to drive. The cost was $150 for both windows on my 1998 Cheiftain Winniebago.