by "Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
Published 06/12/2017 at 10:00
by "Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
Published 06/12/2017 at 10:00
Tags: Focus ST
; Window Tint
; WSDOT Ferries
STARS: 1
Finally got the FoST tinted last week. Hopefully no more sweltering hot seats this summer. 3M CR40 (“Crystalline”, 40% VLT). Still curing, having spent the last 5 days in the garage, so I’m still afraid to roll down the windows. This stuff clearly reduces heat that makes it through the windows by quite a bit - the AC was barely working to keep it 67°F in here on the way home, even in the mid-80s.
A couple years ago, when about 4-5 months old:
Here’s what she looks like now, on a Ferry, next to a stupid tourist:
The stupid tourist in a rental Malibu (does anyone actually own one of these things?) was waiting in the ferry queue in the pole position, then cut me off on the ramp to go into the right lane, so I ended up in the pole position. Haven’t been here in the longest time. I often get the 2nd place spot where he’s sitting when I miss the earlier ferry, but I almost never find this lane empty, so I rarely end up here.
I do have slightly mixed feelings about the color of this tint. It’s a warm, slightly bronze, color. My car windows are a cool slightly blue color. The contrast between the two will take a bit to get used to, but it will be worth how much cooler it keeps these black leather seats. It was between this and the Huper Drei, but the 3M won because they had more/better-rated installers.
The other guys in the local Focus ST/RS group all seem to put 20% VLT dyed or carbon tint on (because cheap and all they care about is that ghetto look), which doesn’t even match the performance of my tint at 5% VLT. As a result, they were mystified by my using expensive tint, going so light, and paying so much for a tint job. Unlike them, however, I’m in it for the long haul with my car and want it to last (and do what I need it to do).
Now to find a place to give it a good detailing.
"random001" (random001)
06/12/2017 at 10:05, STARS: 3
I keep thinking about getting tint, then realize I have a convertible...
"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
06/12/2017 at 10:33, STARS: 1
Highly recommend a reflective windshield shade as well. Mine keeps the interior temp way cooler in the socal sun
"Jack Does Cars" (jackdoescars)
06/12/2017 at 10:41, STARS: 0
There’s too many Stupid People on Seattle-Bainbridge ferries.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
06/12/2017 at 10:47, STARS: 0
Just park it outside in the sun for a few days, that tiny will cure right up. Might have the push down a couple edges, but shouldn’t be anything major.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/12/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 0
Still works when the windows are closed... Worth the investment, IMHO. I had my first car tinted and wanted it on every car since (just couldn’t justify spending hundreds on cars that cost me very little, even though the comfort would have been worth it in retrospect).
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/12/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 0
My buddy has recommended this as well. I’ll probably be getting one soon. I debated getting my windshield done, but the guy that installed the tint told me that there was a risk of water getting into the dash and that it’s been known to short things out. I decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
"random001" (random001)
06/12/2017 at 10:55, STARS: 0
It’s true. I was just making a joke.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/12/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 0
Especially during tourist season. Obviously a rental car, obviously driving like they never ride a ferry, etc. Have you experienced what happens when they all get together in Winslow? Such a mess, so much mind-boggling traffic. They clearly don’t realize that people live/work here.
"DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By" (ducst3-red-1liter-standing-by)
06/12/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 0
First time I ever used one I was sold, night and day difference, best $10 I ever spent
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/12/2017 at 11:15, STARS: 1
Yeah, about that whole sun thing. We rarely see it, hence my fear. I left the car inside to keep it clean... Today is the first day it’s spending any time outside.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/12/2017 at 11:21, STARS: 0
I have 3M Color Stable 50% (which isn’t as fancy as the Cystalline) on all my windows except the windshield. I park outside at work so I my car got plenty of sun during the day to cure the tint. If you really want to be careful it should be fine to roll the windows down with another day or two in the sun.
(At some point I may do Crystalline 70% on my windshield for better heat rejection.)
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/12/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 0
If it wasn’t for the risk of water getting into my dash, I would have had them slap CR90 or CR70 on my windshield as well. Between trying to keep my car clean and not needing to drive to work every day, my car doesn’t see that much sun. The installer said 3-5 days (and so did the little things he put in the door switches to remind me), but since my car isn’t subjected to normal conditions, I’m going to go as long as I can. With the tint keeping it cooler, they shouldn’t need to be opened as often, either.
"Jack Does Cars" (jackdoescars)
06/12/2017 at 13:14, STARS: 0
It’s the worst. Ferncliff, 305, and Winslow Way practically turn into parking lots. Nonetheless, they do bring and spend a lot of money on the island, which is nice for business owners.