Window Tinting for Passat Wagon

[Passatwind]

When I am not driving my Passat I ride my bicycle. Tinting of side windows is a real worry at intersections because you can't see whether the driver has seen you or not. Just my 2c.

[richdave]

Do tint regulations only apply to front windows, or on all windows? For some reason I'm thinking you are "allowed" to tint darker on the rear panels of a car ... or is that just for fixed panels ... or am I thinking of something I heard when I lived in California?

A lot of the newer SUV's have "Privacy" tint as an option... the rear fixed glass is very dark, rear passenger less so, and the front windows max "legal" tint so you have a 3 step graded tint.

[PassatB6]

ummm....no

the tinter suggested not using it as it's a metalised film and could cause interference with the aerials in the very back side windows

Cheers,
Jayse.

Anyone else experienced or heard about GPS/radio interference with metallic based tints. Not sure how big a problem it is?

[richdave]

Anyone else experienced or heard about GPS/radio interference with metallic based tints. Not sure how big a problem it is?

YES. My last car had metallised film with an embedded antenna in the glass and it was affected. The metallised tint will affect radio reception, esp AM bands.

Probably not GPS as you will (should) have the GPS on dash or an external aerial ??

[ope126]

Here is some more info on tinting a Passat.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ow+tint&page=3

[PassatB6]

Here is some more info on tinting a Passat.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ow+tint&page=3

OK from what I can see it should not affect the Passat wagon because the antenna is not located in the window itself?

[Rocket36]

Still not sure about the wagon, but here's a post regarding antenna locations for the sedan. I imagine it's similar for the wagon.

I have no problems with the metalic tint in mine. The window tinter showed me the antennas for both the radio and the SatNav. They're under the rear window trim liner across the top the roof. Not actually in any of the glass or anwhere that metalic tint is going to affect them. I can't imagine the antennas in the wagon are a different unit but they may be located elsewhere.... Thing is, they're not flat so you couldn't tint over them, not even accidentally while blindfolded!

[apom]

I did a fair amount of research on this and the dealer actually wouldn't put metalised tints on any of the VW's anymore as they said they had had some issues and as such moved away from them for the reason of interferance

[nivek]

I ordered a sedan with metallic tinting (the after sales lady called it the "ICT" tint). I chose it because it gave the windows a mirror like finish that looked sweet on a black R36.

She convinced me that it will not affect the aerial... but after reading this thread, I'm not so sure.

[vanDub]

I got my Granite sedan done with Bolle Green, looks darker than I expected from outside (compared to my other car which has a light grey tint - already fitted when purchased). The green shade compliments the car colour far better than the bluish tinge of most of the black/grey tints. I took the strong professional recommendation from the Tint shop owner on this one.

I paid $395 at Ming, the standard Ming price, but got the $550 bolle green tint supplied by Tint-a-Car to Ming (same owners).

From inside looking out the tint is suprisingly easy to see out with minimal darkening and with colours appearing enhanced. At night it is naturally a little darker to see out but white lights just have a slight yellow/greenish (amber) tinge. I also have the accessory rear blind, which I leave up all the time, and still have no issue looking throught the rear window, even at night.

If you can negotiate a reasonable price go the Bolle Green. It's made by the sunglass people of the same name and is top quality (which is needed up here as the heat is hard on poorer quality material which bubbles easily). Remember, you get what you pay for and may rue a cheap tint in later years!!

On a side note, is your car pre MY08 as the rims appear to be a 16" and a style I am not familiar with. They are not my cup of tea as my pet hate with alloys is a lack of symmetry between the number of spokes and number of wheel studs making the holes appear irregularly positioned.