I have a 85sd that needs the windows tinted , I'm tired of feeling like a Ant under a magnifying glass.
So went to local shop here in Des Moines Iowa and they said they couldn't do it at least they were up front about their limits.

So would like to here what you have done or suggestions

Thanks John

I can't imagine why they couldn't do it. I've done my own tinting using kits that are laser cut for the windows precisely, but it's still a lot of work, and a PITA.

I'd suggest another shop. What laws are there in Iowa about tinting the front windows?

If you do get it, spend the extra on the new ceramic tint, it really blocks the UV and heat!

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1983 W123 300TD US spec Turbo engine, with Euro bumpers and manual climate control, and manual transmission.

You can do it yourself but it takes some skill. I've done four of my own cars and have only just got the knack of it. My main tip is to get a roll of the pro stuff. Llumar is easy to get, there's a seller on eBay that has it but he's slow to ship, FYI. You only want to do it once and not have it turn purple.

Then you have to watch Youtube videos a lot. I wish I'd had Youtube back when I started.

But for the roughly $200 that a shop will charge I would go with a shop if you can find one.

-Rog

Hmmm... around here we have many places that do nothing but window tinting. I had mine done with high-quality 3M tint at the Mazda dealership. However, the installer cut big chunks out of my rear windshield seal and put DEEP permanent cuts in the side windows.

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Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

Is it not already tinted? My 81 300 SD came with tinted windows.

Find another shop - I have all mine tinted and as said above Stick with a shop that uses 3M tint. Cheap tint off ebay and such is just cheap tint. Most 3M installers will give you life/ownership on car.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

When had my 300TD-T done, took several hours extra, as told me because no black edges of glue in windows, had to be precise as no way to hide it with the gasket windows. Did a fantastic job, even the windshield you couldn't tell. Made a huge difference. Back then, had money, so saving up again, but doubt it will be until Winter.

And yes, it was the special U.V. blocking tint, so even though only a 50 percent (windshield was 70 as wanted the lightest), no more feeling the sun on your skin, so didn't bother to have A/C.

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Here in Iowa 70% in front. I believe they just prefer newer cars. But will go by another shop tommorow . I am a little afraid to do myself.

But APPRECIATE everyone's response it has been helpful, I will ask about the ceramic type.
John

Yeah you can sorta see the tinting but doesn't help with the heat and glare in backseat and front.

Windshield was replaced 6 yrs ago by Safelight and has the tint but with this sun these days, Global Warming that doesn't exist its getting tougher for me.
Thank for your reply.
John

I tinted my 1985 300D for my son when he was living in the San Joaquin Valley. It is almost de rigeur there. Indeed, you see many people open their hoods there in the summer whenever they stop. I bought a laser-cut kit on ebay, which wasn't much more than buying bulk roll and fussing with that. I chose the better product (3M?) that is very tough. The side windows were fairly easy once I got the hang of it. They cut them slightly over-size on purpose, so you must do the final trimming. Main thing is to keep everything clean and use lots of water spray. You don't want to trap a piece of hair or grit underneath. The rear window was a whole different beast. I fooled with it for ~2 hrs and did the best I could. It still has a few wrinkles in the corners. I had to cut it a few places to match the curves. Trying to work upside down, against gravity, in the fairly narrow space makes it tough. If you ever plan to have the rear window out, that would be the time to apply tint film. Also, first check your state laws since some are picky on the transmission allowed for the fronts.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

I tried doing the tint myself at first with the glass out of the car, but I got too much dust and dog hair trapped in between so I went to the Mazda dealership, which was a 3M dealer. I paid the extra money to have them cut the tint right at the edge of the glass so you don't see a line when the windows are rolled down a bit. Sadly, they probably owe me money since they got crazy with the razor blade and took big chunks out of my rear window seal and cut deep scratches about 1" below the top of the side glass where they pushed too hard on the razor when they were getting the shape.

I asked the shop if it's easier to do the glass when it's out of the car and they thought I was stupid for asking that. If you get the tint installed on the side windows and leave a little overlap at the top, you can carefully use a fine flat file and file along the upper edge and make the tint line even with the top of the glass.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

Thanks for sharing your adventure! I had visions of that same scenario for my self. Again sounds like the 3M is the way to go. Heading over to another shop in a few minutes.
Will post result.

Doing myself is something I have toyed with in my head over the past few years but lost courage.

I also thought about pulling the glass out but that would only help sides, and do nothing for the front. And the back well I think Bill's post above describes the battle I don't want to face.

I'm heading over to another shop will post result.

One other caveat with window tint:

If you have a W210 or newer with the integrated antenna in the glass, tinting the window with metallic tint absolutely kills your radio reception. AM is intolerable to listen to, and FM is about half what it should be.

Thankfully my kids turned me on to Spotify and I Heart Radio...

There is a TSB out on this issue, if I find it I will add a link.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Also, cellular reception in the vehical is reduced with metallics. Interesting the W210 and later have the antenna in the glass.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.