Hi, I colllected my MY11 VRS CR yesterday and have just returned from my window tinters, disappointed. He's decided not to do the job as he's concerned he'll damaged the rear window seals removing the quarter lights to enable him to get the main rear window glass out. He's tinted two of my previous cars and does an excelent job, however he's not done a facelifted Octavia yet.

Has anyone else has this problem or can anyone recommend someone who's sucessfully done tints done on the rear of a hatchback?

Thanks,

Ian

I would find another company. I've now spoken to three local to me and discounting the one who was going to do the job at my work (nice and dust free NOT), the other two had done Skuds before and were more than happy to take on the job AND guarantee the work.

Get sun shades and rear blind, look a bit more classy in my opinion plus you can remove as you wish.

Not had a problem with mine - did them in a couple of hours and it is a cracking job.

I got mine done here if you fancy a trip (not too far from Stoke):

http://tintmaster.eu/

I paid £120 for full rears on a light smoke.

Can't see why he would need to remove the rear windows :wonder:

I think sun shades look cack to be fair with the clip on affair going on, a subtle tint looks far more classy

Edited 18 September, 201114 yr by jrw

Get sun shades and rear blind, look a bit more classy in my opinion plus you can remove as you wish.

+1 Blinds are a better option IMO. Your visibility IS reduced especially at night with tinted windows and anyone who says it isn't is full of poo as they are in effect made to reduce light penetration which is how the human sees......... Some may choose to argue about glare from lights of traffic behind but you have protection from that on rear view mirror and wing mirrors the light tint wont stop this. Like for like comparison tint to non tint there is a marked difference to how much you can see. (I am referring more so to people with dark as opposed to lighter tinting and am well aware of the laws interpretation on levels and which windows)

If I had an accident that seriously injured someone or worse because of vanity tinting when there is a more responsible option id be devastated. Also a looser as at the end of the day its an Octavia not a big exec merc nor a saxo with an old faded max power sticker on it.

+1 Blinds are a better option IMO. Your visibility IS reduced especially at night with tinted windows and anyone who says it isn't is full of poo as they are in effect made to reduce light penetration which is how the human sees......... Some may choose to argue about glare from lights of traffic behind but you have protection from that on rear view mirror and wing mirrors the light tint wont stop this. Like for like comparison tint to non tint there is a marked difference to how much you can see. (I am referring more so to people with dark as opposed to lighter tinting and am well aware of the laws interpretation on levels and which windows)

If I had an accident that seriously injured someone or worse because of vanity tinting when there is a more responsible option id be devastated. Also a looser as at the end of the day its an Octavia not a big exec merc nor a saxo with an old faded max power sticker on it.

what are you on about? Tints reduce visibility but shades don't?

We are talking about rear windows here. I can see perfectly out of my rear windscreen at night. Also if you want reduced visibility try driving a van. I drive a van every day with no rear windows at all. Try driving that, then a car with tints and come back to me about visibility.

what are you on about? Tints reduce visibility but shades don't?

We are talking about rear windows here. I can see perfectly out of my rear windscreen at night. Also if you want reduced visibility try driving a van. I drive a van every day with no rear windows at all. Try driving that, then a car with tints and come back to me about visibility.

+1

Tints are fine IMHO unless they are full-on Max Power "Limo Tint" which not only looks a bit chavvy but does reduce the visbility considerably.

Personally I like know who and what is behind me - nothing guaranteed to get the old butt puckering that a plod car sneaking up behind you unseen - happened to me in a company van a while back and cost me a pair of shorts!

Clip-On shades are a PITA - I used to have a set on a previous vehicle and got fed up of having to fix the rattles..........

I would also like to know how having rear tints increases the risk of an accident? I know all the time what is behind me (advanced driving for ya!) and if i didn't have tints, at night the dimming rear view mirror gives the same visibility as a tint anyway (ie you can see headlights).

As for the rear side windows, funnily enough, i don't tend to look out of them whilst driving, i find that Wing mirrors do that job perfectly well and with no blind spot.

here is mine with its light tints and 'faded Max Power' sticker..... sorry that is Shark sticker

This is the major problem when you ask people for their opinion, they usually give it and then other people dispute what they put and the original discussion is lost!

I had two sets of tints on my Honda Civic; one set which were light smoke (because I didn't want it too bling), the second set I had fitted were very much darker, to the point they were almost black from the outside, though not as dark from the inside. I had to remove the first set as I was living in Gibraltar and it is against the law to have non-OEM tints to your vehicle. I preferred the darker set of tints, though it does take a few days, and especially a few nights to get used to.

I now have the Scout which comes with 'sunset privacy glass' as standard. This is almost the same as the light smoke tinted glass I had fitted to my Civic. I wanted darker, and because I have the facility to close the windows when away from the vehicle via the key fob, I wanted the ability to leave the windows open when parked in the drive, but I did not want bugs'n'stuff getting in, so blinds seems the logical solution. Skoda charged way too much, so I went with Vanstyle. The complete set was approximately £90 including delivery. They took approximately 5 minutes to fit the entire set and they have been fine, no rattles (the squeaking from the glasses storage compartment would drown it out anyway!). I have removed the rear hatch blind as it comes in two parts (the Skoda rear hatch blind is one piece, but it costs the same as the entire Vanstyle set!) and I found it off putting, and I have anti dazzle rear view mirror anyway.

As a compromise I have fitted a sunset strip to the windscreen which cost £20 fitted, why this is not fitted as standard across the range is beyond me, driving in low lying sunshine is so much easier now.

In essence, you have to decide what you want the tints/blinds for. If it is for security, then tints will hide your belongings and also give you a slightly more robust glass, but if is just to shade your passengers from glare etc, then blinds will be just fine, and they will still be in place when you open the window, especially useful if you intend to leave pets in the vehicle for short periods.

Hope this helps.

Fin

I now have the Scout which comes with 'sunset privacy glass' as standard. This is almost the same as the light smoke tinted glass I had fitted to my Civic. I wanted darker, and because I have the facility to close the windows when away from the vehicle via the key fob, I wanted the ability to leave the windows open when parked in the drive, but I did not want bugs'n'stuff getting in, so blinds seems the logical solution.

+1, I have a Scout with tinted glass and the Skoda blinds on the rear doors.

Best of both worlds as with the blinds you can have the windows open and still be protected from the sun

...however he's not done a facelifted Octavia yet.

Whether it is a FL or not shouldn't make a difference as the glass on both the FL and pre-FL is the same.

I'd find a more experienced fitter, one who's done an Octavia!

I got the rears done on my MK2 FL Octy and the fitter didn't mention he had any issues, and made a perfect job.

When I was young (and daft...or maybe just slightly more daft than I am now) I had a Fiat Cinquecento (L-reg) that was black with all windows apart from the windscreen limo-tinted. I drove around for a good couple of years with absolutely no issues, even at night. You get used to them VERY quickly.

I would try another tinter if I was you mate, there is a place by me ( Chester) who are extremely good and I have used them several times.

Thanks for all the replies and sorry for starting a 'war'!

Jebus jrw no need to be so aggressive only my opinions based on my own experience and facts! You've gone and made me make a really long reply now there are so many random points you've made here lol dam you this will take me some time Here we go :S

what are you on about? Tints reduce visibility but shades don't?

Shades can be removed for night time though.

We are talking about rear windows here.

Correct.

I can see perfectly out of my rear windscreen at night.

You must have some sort of magic eyes then. In darkness with tints you are further reducing the limited amount of light your eyes can see threw the glass. And it is not all about being on a motorway with lights behind you do you never reverse your car at night? An unlit area how can you claim to see more essentially wearing sunglasses at night when looking threw all rear windows lol. How can you argue that you can see perfectly no one can see perfectly at night that's the main problem hence headlights etc but adapting your windows so they further reduce the amount of light increases the lack of visibility there is no way to say it doesn't really dude!

Also if you want reduced visibility try driving a van. I drive a van every day with no rear windows at all. Try driving that, then a car with tints and come back to me about visibility.

Ok I see your "van" and raise you my licence categories A/B1/B/B+E/C1/C1+E/C/C+E/D1/D1+E/D/D+E All gained by passing tests not old grandfather rights and I drive all vehicles including oversized loads articulated multi combinations all over the world, and as I said I have had tinted windows before so I feel I have now passing your "Try driving that, then a car with tints and come back to me about visibility" test whatever purpose it had... (sounded ignorant and challenging to me hope you didn't mean it that way)

I would also like to know how having rear tints increases the risk of an accident?

Reduced visibility what needs to be explained. The government states currently :-

"Window tints will restrict your ability to see the more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, especially in low light conditions. Visibility problems are particularly bad around dawn and dusk or the sudden onset of bad weather when light levels change quickly."

I know all the time what is behind me (advanced driving for ya!)

To be honest I am a professional advanced driver I cannot agree nor does any advanced driving organisation in the UK with your statement. I am a member of a fair few and have other further advanced driving qualifications to my name. To know whats behind you "all the time" would require you to never look forward, good use of your mirrors will only show you whats in their restricted rearward field of vision for the split second you look at them when your head and eyes move off the mirror you cannot see behind you!

and if i didn't have tints, at night the dimming rear view mirror gives the same visibility as a tint anyway (ie you can see headlights).

Look I have explained this in my last post Again headlights are not the only thing you would need to see as a driver behind you when you are in control of a vehicle in the hours of darkness. As aboves quote explains (one in blue) also.

As for the rear side windows, funnily enough, i don't tend to look out of them whilst driving, i find that Wing mirrors do that job perfectly well and with no blind spot.

And you passed a driving test and advanced driving examination shocked to hear you come out with something that you could fail both for. On a multi lane carriageway your mirrors will not show you the vehicle 2 lanes over moving into the lane you have just seen to be clear in your mirrors. I see this daily on motorways we all do!

Additionally lamination of your windows via tinting will mean in an accident you will have very little chance of breaking windows to get out this will be a problem that is why the fire brigade discourages it too.

Jebus jrw no need to be so aggressive only my opinions based on my own experience and facts! You've gone and made me make a really long reply now there are so many random points you've made here lol dam you this will take me some time Here we go :S

Not being aggresive at all and now you are making me do an other even more longwinded reply as someone as got a bee in their bonnet about this

Shades can be removed for night time though.

Yeah, i am sure you do this before driving at night, or stop to pull over and remove when driving thru dusk :wonder:

You must have some sort of magic eyes then. In darkness with tints you are further reducing the limited amount of light your eyes can see threw the glass. And it is not all about being on a motorway with lights behind you do you never reverse your car at night? An unlit area how can you claim to see more essentially wearing sunglasses at night when looking threw all rear windows lol. How can you argue that you can see perfectly no one can see perfectly at night that's the main problem hence headlights etc but adapting your windows so they further reduce the amount of light increases the lack of visibility there is no way to say it doesn't really dude!

When i reverse my car at night i use the wing mirrors and look through the rear window. As I say i can see as perfectly through a tinted window as a non tinted one. It is nothing like wearing sunglasses (I had to do this once when i lost my glasses one night). The only time i look through the rear sides is when reversing off my drive.

Ok I see your "van" and raise you my licence categories A/B1/B/B+E/C1/C1+E/C/C+E/D1/D1+E/D/D+E All gained by passing tests not old grandfather rights and I drive all vehicles including oversized loads articulated multi combinations all over the world, and as I said I have had tinted windows before so I feel I have now passing your "Try driving that, then a car with tints and come back to me about visibility" test whatever purpose it had... (sounded ignorant and challenging to me hope you didn't mean it that way)

Not ignorant at all, just casing a point that not everyone has rear windows so can't really see how tinted windows make any difference especially when driving a van all day.

Reduced visibility what needs to be explained. The government states currently :-

"Window tints will restrict your ability to see the more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, especially in low light conditions. Visibility problems are particularly bad around dawn and dusk or the sudden onset of bad weather when light levels change quickly."

The government says a lot of things, i disagree with this comment and the government are sort of contradicting themselves by tints being legal.

To be honest I am a professional advanced driver I cannot agree nor does any advanced driving organisation in the UK with your statement. I am a member of a fair few and have other further advanced driving qualifications to my name. To know whats behind you "all the time" would require you to never look forward, good use of your mirrors will only show you whats in their restricted rearward field of vision for the split second you look at them when your head and eyes move off the mirror you cannot see behind you!

Talk about taking a point literally. I have good perhiperal vision and i don't need to move my head at all to know what is behind me. I couldn't give you the reg or a driver profile but i 'am aware' of my surroundings.

Look I have explained this in my last post Again headlights are not the only thing you would need to see as a driver behind you when you are in control of a vehicle in the hours of darkness. As aboves quote explains (one in blue) also.

again, rear view and wing mirrors. Rear view makes no difference tinted or not as it is auto dimming as i explained in a previous post.

And you passed a driving test and advanced driving examination shocked to hear you come out with something that you could fail both for. On a multi lane carriageway your mirrors will not show you the vehicle 2 lanes over moving into the lane you have just seen to be clear in your mirrors. I see this daily on motorways we all do!

Well i passed. Looked over shoulder in driving test (didn't see point to be honest as at the time i didn't really know what i was looking for) but didn't in IAM test. At the time i had a 3door Polo so wouldn't have made any difference as looking over would have meant i was still looking through the front window due to the size of the doors. On the Octy, my seat back is level with the B pillar so looking over shoulder, all i see is the seat belt adjuster and can't even see the offside rear window let alone through it (I tried it on the way to work after reading this reply

Having a Facelift Octy you should know that the mirrors are massive and i also checked today and i can see 2 full lanes of motorway and the whole side of my car. That coupled with my rear view = No blindspot therefore no need to turn my head, take my eyes off the road ahead and naturally turn the wheel to the left in doing so = safe driving with no dangerous lane changing.

Additionally lamination of your windows via tinting will mean in an accident you will have very little chance of breaking windows to get out this will be a problem that is why the fire brigade discourages it too.

This is ok as there are 2 front windows which they can use and also the safety cells of new cars means that the doors should pop open rather than jam shut.

Just to case my point further please see this photo (35% tint - lets 35% light thru vs 70% on the front):

As you can see, the 35% reduction in light is immense

I still say shades and rear blind are better.

Edited 20 September, 201114 yr by Guest

Little did Ian K know what a can of worms he was opening up with his innocent question - not a whiff of Brimma or Taff in the thread either!

FWIW even though I don't have my windows done, I do like to see them done albeit with a moderate tint.

The only time I have driven a car with them (abroad in a sunny country and with EVERY window extremely tinted) I found it okay during the day but a MAJOR hazard at night. In saying that, no doubt if it was only the rear that was done (properly) then I'd probably find that okay.

One of my previous cars did have blinds for the three rear windows and I found that they just got left down and unused due to having to manually move them. Kind of defeats the object though doesn't it?

Little did Ian K know what a can of worms he was opening up with his innocent question - not a whiff of Brimma or Taff in the thread either!

FWIW even though I don't have my windows done, I do like to see them done albeit with a moderate tint.

The only time I have driven a car with them (abroad in a sunny country and with EVERY window extremely tinted) I found it okay during the day but a MAJOR hazard at night. In saying that, no doubt if it was only the rear that was done (properly) then I'd probably find that okay.

One of my previous cars did have blinds for the three rear windows and I found that they just got left down and unused due to having to manually move them. Kind of defeats the object though doesn't it?

My rear window blinds are fitted and the only time I have removed them was to swap them to a new car; this is the third vRS I have had them on now so I have had my moneys worth. Same goes for the rear roller blind which I always have up.

the guy who posted this is fairly new to this forum.

from the replies he must think it is populated with d1ckheads

the guy who posted this is fairly new to this forum.

from the replies he must think it is populated with d1ckheads

but you haent posted much on this thread :p you silly sausage !

but you haent posted much on this thread :p you silly sausage !

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i rest my case - clown !

i rest my case - clown !

first off topic post award though is yours on this one

Be intersted to know who you used Ian?

I used http://eclipsetinting.co.uk/cgi-bin/index.pl?gclid=CLSopd-5rKsCFYIMfAodexJF5w who did a reasonable job(had to go back but they managed to sort the problem) and it cost approx £180 for the 35% tint using the supposidly thicker security film. Wasnt until about a 3 weeks later that I noticed slight bubbling of the window strip on rear window! Looks to me that they applied to much heat and the strip got a little hot!

To be honest I wouldnt have them done again.