Focus Mk1 Tinting Windows

[jellymonster]

Hi,

I'm thinking of tinting the windows on my 2003 Ford Focus Zetec TDCI, however I don't know what percentage I can go up to.

I know that the front windows must let at least 70% of light through. And after reading around, the right percentage is also affected by what tint is already on the window.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience on this? What would be a safe percentage to go for? How much would it cost to be professional done? Is it worth it?

Thanks

JM

[Wickwick10_1]

Hi,

I'm thinking of tinting the windows on my 2003 Ford Focus Zetec TDCI, however I don't know what percentage I can go up to.

I know that the front windows must let at least 70% of light through. And after reading around, the right percentage is also affected by what tint is already on the window.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience on this? What would be a safe percentage to go for? How much would it cost to be professional done? Is it worth it?

Thanks

JM

Mate I have always had 33% on my front driver and passenger with no problems but current ones I had done 6 weeks ago I had about 40% and I have not had a problem even if police at the side of me ! Have a look at pics below , the Focus is my current car and Fiesta the one I just part ex'd.

[Wickwick10_1]

You will get some smart !Removed! telling you how illegal it is on here but you do what you like - its your car you enjoy it just don't go to dark as it can give poor vision !

[Stoney871]

Legal limit is 30% windscreen and front side windows.

Rear side and back is not limited but it's in your best interest to not do the rear window for reversing reasons.

You MUST inform your insurance company.

Trust me when i say that Traffic Officers carry tint meters and will prosecute you if the tint is over 30%

If you have a collision and are found to have excessive tint you will have the book thrown at you and your insurance company will bend you over if they aren't informed.

I don't want to wail on you as i personally think tinting looks good too but i am a serving officer and feel i have to make you aware.

Just because Police don't pull you over with excessive tint that doesn't make it right.(they are either ignorant of the legislation, not looking or aren't doing their jobs right. a traffic officer WILL pull you)

Have a look at this for an alternative, totally legal and removable when visibility is needed.

From the outside it's hard to tell it's not a tint.

http://www.vanstyle.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/2729_3040

If that makes me a 'smart !Removed!' then sorry but i wouldn't want you to go off and tint your windows excessively and take a huge hit on your insurance.

It's not a law for the sake of it, it's to keep people safe on the road. The person you hit on the road and don't see could be me.

[btmaldon]

Spot on Stoney. Believe me Jellymoster, it just aint worth not being insured. Also if you do tint the rears, dont bother putting Limo Black on the rears. It looks great but you cannot see a thing out the back at night especially if you are not right under a street lamp. I had to fit a reversing camera and sensors to my last Focus. It was a right pain.

I have got the Van Style blinds for my current Focus, and they look OK but think I would prefer to tint the rears again, but definitely not in Limo Black. I will not tint the fronts, I really cant see the point of reducing your vision where you really need it.

[jeebowhite]

Stoney, its good to see that someone from your side of the business is willing to offer this sort of advice. I dont support too many would bother, so its good to get a bit of perspective.

A bit of ingorance on my part (no offence is intended), but I have yet to understand the difference between a Traffic Officer and a Police Officer. My understanding is vague and probably wrong anyway...

[TDCiST]

I have seen the police using tint meters... and if its too dark, they WILL get you to peel it off... There and then.. or face prosecution.

Its starting to happen a lot more, Just like number plates...

[Stoney871]

Sorry i should remember, i'm used to talking in official Police vocab.

Traffic Officers are Police Officers who are specialised in all things traffic from applying traffic rules to investigations at collisions (also known as snakes or black rats but not to their faces ;) ).

My specialisation is Dogs (general patrol and search) but still at the base level i'm just a standard Constable.

The ones you have to watch out for is Highways Agency as they think they're coppers and like to throw their authority around.

They are responsible for road safety and are the ones you usually see closing a motorway in both directions because someone is on the hard shoulder with a flat tyre. <_<

[Wickwick10_1]

Chaps I would like to point out that I had an accident 2009 in previous car I owned and I had tints , police at the scene and photo's taken and my car was repaired by insurance - they even re-tinted to passenger window as it got smashed ! No problems - each to their own like I said.

[jeebowhite]

Stoney, sounds a good way of putting it... so to summarise:

Police - Well, they are the Police - simples!

Traffic Officers - basically Traffic Cops, but they dont get the fun of chasing the villans... they just get to clean up the mess left after the police have chased the villans, and they do a few 360 flips over the motorway...

Highways Agency - Pretend to be Traffic Officers but really cant do too much?

I miss the days when the only pictures in the highway code that you had to acknowledge was the humble police officer, and the ever humble lollipop lady!

Wick, I agree, each to their own, and if its seen as safe, and as you say, they have replaced the tints, maybe there is a little bit of leeway on the 30%, maybe some varieties of road officials may seem to press harder on the point than others. IMHO anything up to 35% looks good and gives the best to practicality and safety. Anything above 40% on the front, then IMHO the driver is pushing their luck and is much more likely to get caught.

I knew a chap who was customising his Audi, set the fronts to 50% went out, wrapped himself around a lamppost, and knocked an innocent car into the field... as far as I am concerned, he was an idiot, and deserved to be punished. Thankfully his victim suffered a few bruises, and a severe case of "Insurance Stress" trying to get a payout from this guys policy. It could have been worse! I havent heard of anyone under 30% (33% in your case Wick) who has had a serious accident...

[Wickwick10_1]

Stoney, sounds a good way of putting it... so to summarise:

Police - Well, they are the Police - simples!

Traffic Officers - basically Traffic Cops, but they dont get the fun of chasing the villans... they just get to clean up the mess left after the police have chased the villans, and they do a few 360 flips over the motorway...

Highways Agency - Pretend to be Traffic Officers but really cant do too much?

I miss the days when the only pictures in the highway code that you had to acknowledge was the humble police officer, and the ever humble lollipop lady!

Wick, I agree, each to their own, and if its seen as safe, and as you say, they have replaced the tints, maybe there is a little bit of leeway on the 30%, maybe some varieties of road officials may seem to press harder on the point than others. IMHO anything up to 35% looks good and gives the best to practicality and safety. Anything above 40% on the front, then IMHO the driver is pushing their luck and is much more likely to get caught.

I knew a chap who was customising his Audi, set the fronts to 50% went out, wrapped himself around a lamppost, and knocked an innocent car into the field... as far as I am concerned, he was an idiot, and deserved to be punished. Thankfully his victim suffered a few bruises, and a severe case of "Insurance Stress" trying to get a payout from this guys policy. It could have been worse! I havent heard of anyone under 30% (33% in your case Wick) who has had a serious accident...

Mate agree and everyone has ther own view - I would never go to dark to put me and others in danger.

[Stoney871]

Sorry to labour the point but spoke to my mate who is a Traffic Motorcyclist and carries out Tintmaster tint testing.

This is an snippet from his official traffic manual.

From the official legislation - [The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/32/made

Just to clarify the matter. (sorry about the pun).

Personally i'd love my windows as dark as possible if for no other reason that everyone would be spared my ugly mug.

[TDCiST]

All Other Windows is interesting... as i doubt 70% of light gets thru my factory tinted rear windows lol!!

I always thought it was the fronts that were metered, and the back could pretty much be limo black... Please correct me if im wrong

[Stoney871]

Sorry i was editing the post and totally buggered up the formatting.

Link to full legislation included as it's much easier than replacing my burnt out brain

As far as my oppo says you could paint your rear windows black as far as he's concerned but front and windscreen must conform.

My oppo is firm but fair but has an unrivalled knowledge of the legislations.

I tend to bow to his superior knowledge.

Just don't tell him that - he'll get cocky.

[jeebowhite]

Dont worry Stoney, we wont tell! but its good to see that it is in black and white, just goes to show that its more down to the individual who stops you on their interpretation of whether or not its worth prosecuting for the small difference above 70% as to the all Mr Rule who will prosecute you for being 0.0001% over the black and white text!