1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Lower Rear Window Tint

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Dweezil, Apr 26, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    162
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Is there some kind of "trick" to tinting this window? The shop I took my car to tinted all of the other windows without issue, and didn't do the bottom rear because he said something about using the outer side of the window as a template. Since the spoiler is there, he said he can't make a good/accurate cut. Currently, the side windows are at 38%, and the upper rear is 18%. I was going to have him put 38% on the lower portion.

    I really want to get this resolved because right now, it's a little distracting to drive as I almost feel like I only have one little window to look through back there!
     
    #1 Dweezil, Apr 26, 2011
  2. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    The spoiler can be removed. I question your installer's competency.
     
    #2 32kcolors, Apr 26, 2011
  3. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    162
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    He's always done great work on all of my other cars...and the work he's done on this one is one of the best jobs he's done for me...except for that little window back there. I will look at the spoiler this evening and see what I can do. I didn't even think about trying to remove it.
     
    #3 Dweezil, Apr 26, 2011
  4. wernolabound

    wernolabound Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
    40
    2
    0
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    II
    My installer had no problem making the cuts. I watched him do it. I suggested that perhaps we didn't need to do it at all. He said he thought it would be distracting if we didn't. My installer has been doing tinitng (reidential, auto, boat etc.) for 25 years though...
     
    #4 wernolabound, Apr 26, 2011
  5. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Isn't the lower section of your rear window already tinted?
     
    #5 firepa63, Apr 26, 2011
  6. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It's already tinted 29% in the glass, but it's lighter than the OP's upper hatch (with 18% tint, for an aggregate of ~13%).
     
    #6 32kcolors, Apr 26, 2011
  7. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    730
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I didn't even bother to tint the lower batch window. It was an extra $30. Nobody can tell and you won't be able to see anything at night.
     
    #7 macmaster05, Apr 26, 2011
  8. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    162
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It's a huge difference from the upper tint though. As in, you can't tell (from inside the car) that the bottom window is even tinted at all. From the outside, you can tell if you know to look. Right now, it's just distracting to drive with one bright "port hole" in the back of my car. :twitch:
     
    #8 Dweezil, Apr 26, 2011
  9. BtotheG

    BtotheG New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2009
    34
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I didn't tint mine and you get used to it. You won't even notice in a couple weeks.
     
    #9 BtotheG, Apr 27, 2011
  10. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2005
    1,761
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I think the whole idea of the rear window is to be able to see through it from the inside...
     
    #10 firepa63, Apr 27, 2011
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,693
    39,238
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I know they lay the film on the outside to sort out where to make make splices, synced with the heater wires. It's such a narrow strip it could be they don't even need a splice along the heater wires: just going from memory I think that glass does not have much of a compound curve (which necessitates splicing).

    I can't see them having a problem with that lower glass, with the spoiler in place. And I would not undertake taking the spoiler off (either you or them). Just can't believe it's necessary, and I've heard the spoiler has some very tricky fasteners.

    BTW, I personally do not like tinting anymore, but just my opinion.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Apr 27, 2011
  12. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    162
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    In response to Firepa63:

    LOL..true. However, it is quite easy to see out through both the upper and lower rear windows of my car. It's the contrast between the two that is bugging the h3LL out of me. Such is the life of an obsessive/compulsive Prius owner. :D
     
    #12 Dweezil, Apr 27, 2011
  13. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    162
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Here in the hot/humid Missouri summers, tinting is almost a necessity.

    I looked at the spoiler last night, thinking that I might undertake removing it, then taking the car to the tinter. It took me all of 5 minutes to decide not to. I may just go to a different tinter and be done with it.
     
    #13 Dweezil, Apr 27, 2011
  14. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    953
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Some cars, especially convertibles, have worse rear visibility than the Prius even when blocking the lower hatch and lots of people tint their entire rear windows 5% limo tint. The OP isn't even approaching that.
     
    #14 32kcolors, Apr 27, 2011
  15. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    730
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    That is what I suggest. You can also tell how skilled a tint specialist is based on how narrow of a gap they can get the film to the edge of the glass. Take a look at your back window. I'm proud to say you can hardly see a gap on mine. :)
     
    #15 macmaster05, Apr 27, 2011
  16. katiesdad7

    katiesdad7 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2011
    172
    25
    0
    Location:
    Stuart, FL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have mine tinted and he had no problems. I can see thru it just fine. I like it tinted because it blocks the headlights of the people that ride my nice person.
     
    #16 katiesdad7, Apr 27, 2011
  17. noweyout

    noweyout Trying to get used to it

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    24
    1
    0
    Location:
    SoCal - SGV
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Also had the lower window tinted on mine with no problems. No issues after tint, either.

    I also wonder if your installer just did not want to do it? I've seen bad tint jobs on other cars, for example, where they would cut around the 3rd brake light to avoid removing the back cover for a clean install. Cutting corners???
     
    #17 noweyout, Apr 27, 2011
  18. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2008
    797
    21
    0
    Location:
    La Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    NAH, dont tint the bottom strip? Not a chance. When i had my car tinted, my tinter tried to tell me not to bother with the bottom. Once you have it done, it's epic. do it.
     
    #18 Genoz World, Apr 27, 2011
  19. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2011
    162
    26
    0
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Epicness has been achieved. I went to a different tinter. He completed the job in about 10 minutes with no issue for $15. It looks...well...epic. My car is now officially the shiznit. Bask in the greatness that is "The Blue Guacamole".

    [​IMG]
     
    #19 Dweezil, Apr 29, 2011
  20. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    730
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Nice but...that's probably the worst picture you could ever have to show off the lower hatch tint. ;)
     
    #20 macmaster05, Apr 29, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2