I'm wanting to get my windows tinted on all five windows but when a buddy and I were talking about it, we noticed my tint thats already on there doesn't look like your normal dark/black shade. It has a small decal with the tint on the front windows that says "Solar Tint" with the Ford emblem below it. What I'm wondering is if I need to strip this tint off (which has some scratches/imperfections as it is) or will they be able to layer over this to achieve that dark black look I want with 15-20%?

I'll post some pictures later today of my windows and of the decal on the window to show a bit more what I'm talking about.

 

The Expy says "Solar Tint" and "Carlite" under it. It says this on the two front windows. It said this before the windows were tinted (when the two fronts were clear, only the rears had "privacy" tint). I think you have an aftermarket tint on there since you say the tint is scratched. Factory tint is more like a "smoke" or dye in the glass itself, and never (at least none that I've seen) on the front two windows.

You should be fine with stripping it.

 

The tint shop should already tell you. But if it's scratched, why not just remove it all? I know my tint shop said they'll just place another layer of tint on my windows, and I don't think I'll go with that idea.

 

yeah the front two windows come "solar tint" its actually in the glass and cant be taked off. but its very light. you will be asolutely fine runnin 20%. thats what i did on mine. all the rears are 5% and the fronts i did at 20%. (cost be under $15 installed, for tint and a squeege from walmart, DONT knock it till you try it, i took the windows OUT OF MY DOOR and it looks very very professional.) 20% is the right tint for the front, dark enough you can stand 5 foot on the outside of the truck and cant see the driver, yet not so ignorantly dark the cops will give you tickets. very slick looking.. btw, if you want to install 20% tint on the fronts you will almost have to do it yourself. since it is slightly lower than the legal limit i think 35%? and tint shops usually wont install under legal for obvious reasons. but very easy and cheap to do yourself and get great results. so long as you take your windows out of your doors. thats a must.

 

Honestly, all of the windows aren't too dark and all look pretty much like a stock tint would. The front two also have that "smokey" look to them you guys mentioned, unlike the normal black tint. But like I said there is def scratches in the tint from rolling the windows up/down so I'm not sure.

whackemnstackem, how much did everything cost to tint them yourself? Taking them out seems like a good way to go about it, but what about the ext cab windows? The back glass doesn't look like it'd be too hard, but those two in the back look like they'd be a pain to get done.

 

all you gonna need is a good squeege and a empty spray botte and a few razor blades. you can get that for lessn $5. the tint is approx. $15 bucks a roll (enough to do both front windows, 6.5'x2' at your local walmart) i didnt do my rear windows truck came with the back doors and rear glass tinted at 5% but you can take out the ext cab windows to do them like the front. and the rear glass is so flat its pretty easy to do even though you'll probaly wanna leave that in the the truck. least i would. to do my fronts it probaly took me round 3-4 hours from start to finish. (excluding leaving the windows out to dry overnight) alotta people say tintin cant be done yourself, it'll look crappy, i took my time and it turned out great. no bubbles or anything.

 

any tint shop will tint below the legal limit. once you sign off after you get it installed its no longer their problem. i have friends that have 5% and lower on the fronts and they've all had it done by shops. oh and i got my 15% done at a shop.

 

i was going from personal experiences on that and what ive read. when i did mine i went to a few places round here and told em i wanted 20% and asked for a quote and they told me they wouldnt do it. sooo i left. but i reckon it was probaly better cuz i saved a lotta money that way

 

stock is 18%...Solar Tint like stated is the factory tinting of the GLASS of the window...not an actual film. 20% will match but with the front windows being so big I would do 15%...I have 2 layers of 15% on my front windows, 1 layer of 15% on back side and back and then a 5% brow

 

you must not have been going to the right people. most places will do it, but either want cash or has you sign something saying that its not their problem.

on a side note...nice looking stang you have there

 

Got my 20% done at a shop. Had to pay cash. A lot of them didn't want to discuss actual pricing over the phone, but they gave ball park figures. I guess it's their way of "staying legal".