MK6 Front Tint to match factory 'Dark Tint' option

[Corey_R]

Yes, the backs are darker, as I stated in my post. That is on purpose. It doesn't look too different though, and I don't mind it that way.

If you don't want them to be different then you have a few options:
Use 22% VLT on the front and make your car illegal (and there is no way you can argue around having the front row darker...)
Use a "clear tint" on the rear sides/rear over the factory tint, but then you'll have less of a colour match. A "clear tint" still only has around 75% VLT, which means .42 x .75 = 31.5%, or about the same as the 35% on the front.

[TG.20T]

Hi everyone.
Thanks to all the great posts in this thread I am now the very happy owner of a tinted 3Door CW R.

I booked in with Rob from Hunter's Hill Tinting a couple of weeks ago and had the following done:
- 35% fronts (Solargard HP Supreme 35)
- 52% rears (Solargard HP Quantum 52)
Same set-up as Corey_R.

There were two things I wanted to achieve:
1) Factory / OEM look, i.e. rears darker than front
2) Not too dark - previously had 35% on my Black MKV GTI and had to roll down the windows to park. Also wanted to keep legal.

Rob did a great job - he is a real perfectionist and made sure that he got each window just right.

It really is testament to the quality of information on this forum that I was able to make a good and informed choice about my tints.

End result (apologies for the crappy iPhone pics)

[Corey_R]

It looks great mate! I really like having that setup on mine

[INASNT]

You see - this is what I hate about the factory tint, because there is just not enough specs on it.

Firstly, VW is only calling it 'Dark Tint', not privacy glass. I've searched but cannot find any reference to 'privacy glass' in VW documentation made publically available.

In the Golf brochures VW state it's 65% light absorbing - which in itself is probably a rubbish statement. But most people, myself included, have taken that to mean 100-65 = '35% Visible Light Transmittance'. Of course, if it really did absorb 65% of light, then you'd also have to take out what it reflects to reach how much it transmits, amoung other factors too technical to think about.

But this new figure of 17% is something new. I personally doubt that as none of the photos posted would seem to show it as being that dark. Although admittedly it's always hard to tell from photos.

Does ANYONE have any specifications for the VW factory tint?

Without reading the rest of thread, a guy that tints audi's bmw'setc has confirmed to me that you need 18% tint on the front to match the rear on my Golf R. Getting the fronts done for $80 as hes a friend of a friend

[Corey_R]

Without reading the rest of thread, a guy that tints audi's bmw'setc has confirmed to me that you need 18% tint on the front to match the rear on my Golf R. Getting the fronts done for $80 as hes a friend of a friend

That's way off what other tinters have measured. In the 18 months since the post of mine you quoted, the average measured VLT for the rear windows appears to be around 40%. So even putting the "darkest legal" of 35% VLT tint on the front will result in those windows being slightly darker.

Unless you're using some funky tint which is "very enthusiastic" with their ratings, people who have put ~20% VLT tints on the front windows have also put a ~50% tint on the rear windows to match...


So I'd suggest people to be weary of your comment.

[Ideo]

Corey - missed it first time. Cheers for putting up the pics.

Sold it to me.

I don't want too dark and that looks spot on for what I am after.

[INASNT]

That's way off what other tinters have measured. In the 18 months since the post of mine you quoted, the average measured VLT for the rear windows appears to be around 40%. So even putting the "darkest legal" of 35% VLT tint on the front will result in those windows being slightly darker.

Unless you're using some funky tint which is "very enthusiastic" with their ratings, people who have put ~20% VLT tints on the front windows have also put a ~50% tint on the rear windows to match...


So I'd suggest people to be weary of your comment.

Hes doing it on the weekend so will ask him about the 50% for the rear to suit.

[Corey_R]

Yep. As long as you're aware that the configuration is not legal then ok.

That's another reason we know that 18% isn't correct. There isn't a state in Australia in which VW would be able to sell the Golf R (or any other model with "dark tint") if the VLT really was 18%. Minimum legal is 35% VLT.

[INASNT]

So got my front windows tinted last Saturday.

Went with 25% and its matches the rears really well.

Guy came to my house and did it in 1hr. If anyone is interested in getting their done PM me and I will send you hes details. Comes with life time guarantee. He does alot of work for Audi and Merc dealers

[keg75]

Hi all,

I am going to get my new Golf R (rising blue) in the next week. I have seen a golf R bonnet throuh the window at my dealer so think thats mine.

I need to sort out cash (yes cash - hehehe), plates and tinting for my car.

I would like to get something that's as close as possible to matching the rear glass. Although I am happy to let that slide and get a good quality tint that won't fade or discolour and is high resilience to UV and heat.

I called the stealership (dealer) and they quoted me 795 for streetlegal... I asked for a good price too so hate to think what the SRP (stealers retail price) is if thats a discounted price. I also got quoted 178 for a boot liner is this retail ?

I called tintacar and the first guy I spoke to said to do that use Octane. He would do the car for $395 - 50 bucks if i didn't do the hatch). He said octane is the closest they do to match the rear glass. He said they will do the two front windows and apply a clear film to the rear windows for UV. He said that he would prefer not to do the hatch window as in his experience they are a bugger to get right ie no bubbles crimples or stretch marks. He also said not to tint the sunroof in anyway as there can be a heat issue and they can shatter or crack. this bloke said they can do the tint prior to delivery if i arrange with the stealer.

I then spoke with another tintacar and he said that they too would use Octane to match the golfs rear windows. He said he has had no problems with doing the rear hatch before. I didn't ask about the sunroof. he charged 425 and would do prefer to do it after I had picked up the car as it can conflict with motor one or something. there's some sort of affiliation.

I will call another tintacar to work out who's telling the truth ie rear hatch...

I used to have an opel XC corsa (my girlfriends beep beep barina) and we had a metal tint on the car that was very good at heat and UV protection - it was by tintacar. it wasn't the darkest tint but the highest sun protection... I think the product name has changed now. Is the formula 1 the full metalised tint?

1) So in people's experience has the octane matched the rear glass better than formula 1?
2) Is the formula 1 a better tint in regards to sun protection?
3) Can you tint the sunroofs and not have them shatter?
4) Do people tint the rear hatches? Have you had any issues with bubbles warping and had to redo the hatch glass?
5) if VW tint in house (by subcontractor) and the trim is damaged then is that covered under warranty?
6) what is a fair and reasonable price for street legal? how does it stack up against F1 and octane? 795 is taking the whizz.

Think thats all I want to ask at the moment. Unless Rob from roy hill tinting want's to drive to Pperth to do the job. I'll pay for all the coffee and mrs macs you can eat on your journey.

thaks Keg75

p.s. I am looking at the boot liners for the golf R - don't want spilt milk stinking out the car. there isa two types suitable for the golf R whats their recomended retail? and whats better the rubber or foam one? thanks...