Window tinting plastic

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:24 pm

In the next month or so I'm looking at getting my hard top and pillars resprayed black. Anyway, I'm planning to black out everything above the window line, including windows. So far that's not exactly a difficult goal, my only question is the soft top. I don't want to just have the side windows tinted and then have my soft top clear! I suppose with the interior dark as it is, it would probably give the illusion that that back is tinted too, but seeing as my window is plastic not glass (and I don't see the need in changing what isn't broke just for cosmetics!) if there is another alternative.
I was talking to a guy recently who mentioned maybe I could use a spray on tint, but from what I've heard, they scratch way too easily and tend to turn purple over time... Also heard some place just mix a bit of black into a clear coat until it reaches the colour you desire, then spray on (like tinting tail lights). But as the back window always folds and bends whenever the roof comes down, I'm sure that would be prone to cracking.

So without replacing my plastic rear windshield, how can I darken it? (if possible)

***EDIT***
Just out of curiousity, how much would I be looking at to install a glass rear windshielf on my na6, or even install a new roof with the glass window and demister.

All quotes and responses are much appreciated!!!!!!!

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:45 pm

nanotech wrote:Just out of curiousity, how much would I be looking at to install a glass rear windshield on my na6, or even install a new roof with the glass window and demister. All quotes and responses are much appreciated!!!!!!!

Well here's a glass windowed softtop for $685 plus $390 for fitting, or fit yourself:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-89-97-MX-5 ... 45ef7981ee

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:17 pm

I think you would just use the plastic tint film on the rear plastic window.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:24 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
nanotech wrote:Just out of curiousity, how much would I be looking at to install a glass rear windshield on my na6, or even install a new roof with the glass window and demister. All quotes and responses are much appreciated!!!!!!!

Well here's a glass windowed softtop for $685 plus $390 for fitting, or fit yourself:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-89-97-MX-5 ... 45ef7981ee

Yeah that's what I was thinking, it doesn't seem worth replacing my whole roof just to tint a window. Not sure spending a thousand dollars to take off a roof that already works fine and doesn't leak, just to have a glass window oppose to plastic is worth it hahaha.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:27 pm

bruce wrote:I think you would just use the plastic tint film on the rear plastic window.

Yeah but when you put the roof down (regardless of zipping it out or not) the window bends and flexes, so I imagine the tint film would end up with air pockets or tears from the constant abuse. Not to mention it isn't a solid surface like glass

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:51 pm

I think it would survive if you avoided wrinkling it by using the zipper.
If it got scratched you could peel it off and put a new layer.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Fri Mar 05, 2010 10:48 pm

On a previous MX-5, with plastic rear window, I asked two window tinters if they could tint the plastic rear window. Both said they would try, but were unwilling to offer any warranty on that window.

An alternative might be to see if a auto trimmer could sew in a plexi-glass window that has a tint built in. I believe some people on the big forum have done something like this?

J.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:28 am

Juffa wrote:On a previous MX-5, with plastic rear window, I asked two window tinters if they could tint the plastic rear window. Both said they would try, but were unwilling to offer any warranty on that window.

An alternative might be to see if a auto trimmer could sew in a plexi-glass window that has a tint built in. I believe some people on the big forum have done something like this?

J.

Is it possible to get a glass replacement window similar to the onest on an nb8? Basically just take out my plastic one and seal a glass in place instead. And what kinda cost would you be looking at. I mean it would have to exist, if someone cracked their window it's more feasible to get a new window than whole new roof.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:32 am

bruce wrote:If it got scratched you could peel it off and put a new layer.

its difficult enough removing tint from glass!
i went through a razor blade per window, and the car smelled like methylated spirits for weeks (ok i DID manage to spill some in the car :roll:

)

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:37 am

Locutus wrote:
bruce wrote:If it got scratched you could peel it off and put a new layer.
its difficult enough removing tint from glass!
i went through a razor blade per window, and the car smelled like methylated spirits for weeks (ok i DID manage to spill some in the car )

So what would be your advice?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 11:03 am

nanotech wrote:Is it possible to get a glass replacement window similar to the onest on an nb8? Basically just take out my plastic one and seal a glass in place instead. And what kinda cost would you be looking at. I mean it would have to exist, if someone cracked their window it's more feasible to get a new window than whole new roof.

Would almost certainly require removal & refitting of soft-top which is time consuming & therefore expensive unless you do it yourself. I was once quoted about a days labour (6-8 hrs) for it, so it comes down to the $ per hour labour rate plus the cost of a glass window plus the time to remove & fit the glass window to the soft-top, plus tinting. It would probably be cheaper than a new glass windowed soft-top, but not by a lot & you'd still have your current ? years old soft-top.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:53 pm

nanotech wrote:So what would be your advice?

don't try to tint the plastic window. window tint is more fragile than most people realise. if the tint is damaged it will be near impossible to remove, and visibility out of the back will begin to approach zero.

i don't think you can fit a glass window to your top. mazda revised the soft top frame in NBs, i'm guessing partly related to fitting a glass window. if you must tint the rear, buy a genuine hardtop (a nightmare to tint as it has complex curves), or fit a soft top with a glass rear window.

IMO, it may be a bit of a pointless exercise. the darkest legal tint is visually not very dark anyway, so you may not get the visual effect you are after. tinting for heat rejection in a soft top convertible car would be completely useless, but i don't think that's what you're going for.

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:56 pm

My advice - give up. Costly to do what you want, just for a little bit of vanity.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 1:22 pm

Have to agree, for me, it would be more trouble than it's worth - & at least you'll have the look you want when the hardtop is on.

MX5CHIC · Postby **MX5CHIC** » Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:30 pm

There is the option of using Electrostatic (& re-usable) Tint, I used it on my MX-5 when I first purchased it and it stayed stuck on beautifully for some two years before I purchased my new soft top.
I bought it from a company in WA.
The bonus is that if you don't like it you simply peel it off and store it until you want to use it again - and you cannot tell it apart from permanent tints.