Window Tinting?

[GDGR]

So, finally managed to wrestle my AME away from other personal commitments, and began installing my new windows from GLAP. Two hours in, and we had the front, pilot and door windows off. 
After having to disappear for some work commitments, I came back and helped with the remainder of the back windows. 
 

That’s when I noticed the unfortunate..... the rear “tinted” windows were shipped to me clear! 
Aside from the $140 overcharge that I now need to recoup, I now have all clear glass throughout the aircraft. 
Question is: Has anyone tried tinting windows after installation? Wondering if this will be worth the trouble? I discovered the mistake 10 minutes after GLAP closed today, which means I can’t discuss how long it’ll take to send me the proper windows (original estimate On the primary order was 8 business days), and I don’t want to wait until Monday to find out. So, the clear windows are going in. 
If it’s like car window tinting, will I get a ticket from an overbearing Cop? (JOKING) But seriously, if it’s the same procedure as glass and acrylic, should I try and get GLAP to foot the bill for their mistake?

[RLCarter]

I doubt they will do anything but refund the difference (clear vs tinted). @Skates97 has a detail article on using tint on plexi, might try and find that to help you out

[carusoam]

Bummer...

+1 on Window tint... as described above...

Use extra caution if you go flying before getting a solution...

It is really easy to have people get overheated without recognizing why... (unless they are familiar with ‘60s automobiles)

I had a clear window because I thought my coke bottle green windows were supposed to be clear...   

The original color faded as the surface became oxidized.... over the decades...
 

No color to block the UV lets tons of heat in with direct sunlight...

Best regards,

-a-

[hammdo]

https://justplanetint.com/collections/aircraft-kits/products/mooney-plane-tint-kits

Easy on and off too..

may be an option...

-Don

[Skates97]

1 hour ago, RLCarter said:

I doubt they will do anything but refund the difference (clear vs tinted). @Skates97 has a detail article on using tint on plexi, might try and find that to help you out

Very easy to do. Don't use the stuff with adhesive. Use the stuff that is static cling. I had the same stuff on it for two years, just replaced it because it had some nicks in it from taking kids flying. I need to update my post with pictures of lining up the brow for the windscreen and cutting it out. 

Also, a tip I read from someone here on MS, from the scraps cut out a few extra pieces in rectangles, fold them up and put them in the seat back pocket. When the sun is beating down on you pull one out and just stick it up on the side window, makes a huge difference in the amount of heat coming in. The link is in my signature but here is the DIY as well.

https://intothesky.us/window-tinting/

[gsxrpilot]

+1 for @Skates97 method. I followed his blog about window tinting exactly. My 252 has been getting compliments on the tinted windows for three years now. 

[hammdo]

@gsxrpilot do you fly at night and how's looking out the rear side windows? Those seem quite a bit darker... Nice look! 

-Don

[gsxrpilot]

20 minutes ago, hammdo said:

@gsxrpilot do you fly at night and how's looking out the rear side windows? Those seem quite a bit darker... Nice look! 

-Don

Yes, I do fly at night. I rarely if ever look out the rear side windows anytime. But you can still see through them fine at night. I have the film to do the front side windows as well, but I just haven't gotten to it. The good quality film that @Skates97 recommends, really reduces heat in the daytime. Which is extra useful in Texas 

[hammdo]

You’re reading my mind ;o)

-Don

[Skates97]

30 minutes ago, gsxrpilot said:

Yes, I do fly at night. I rarely if ever look out the rear side windows anytime. But you can still see through them fine at night. I have the film to do the front side windows as well, but I just haven't gotten to it. The good quality film that @Skates97 recommends, really reduces heat in the daytime. Which is extra useful in Texas 

And Southern California, Arizona, Utah... 

I fly at night too and had it on the front windows. It wasn't a problem, but it does reduce clarity just a little and one of the reasons I like flying is just looking outside so I took it off. I found that having some smaller rectangles that I can move around on the front windows where needed for sun worked great, and if I didn't want them there I just peel them off. You can feel the heat drop when you put up a piece to block the sun. I'm going flying later today and will take a couple pics of the sizes I have to move around.

[KB4]

In image with red hanger door in background, the window sure looks tinted to me or to my monitor.  Or is the protective film still on it.  Also just a thought is this the new tint that darkens as sun gets brighter like transition lenses.

[rbridges]

20 hours ago, Skates97 said:

Very easy to do. Don't use the stuff with adhesive. Use the stuff that is static cling. I had the same stuff on it for two years, just replaced it because it had some nicks in it from taking kids flying. I need to update my post with pictures of lining up the brow for the windscreen and cutting it out. 

Also, a tip I read from someone here on MS, from the scraps cut out a few extra pieces in rectangles, fold them up and put them in the seat back pocket. When the sun is beating down on you pull one out and just stick it up on the side window, makes a huge difference in the amount of heat coming in. The link is in my signature but here is the DIY as well.

https://intothesky.us/window-tinting/

That's interesting.  I was worried that heat from the film could damage the window over time. 

[GDGR]

2 hours ago, KB4 said:

In image with red hanger door in background, the window sure looks tinted to me or to my monitor.  Or is the protective film still on it.  Also just a thought is this the new tint that darkens as sun gets brighter like transition lenses.

Probably because those are the old windows, and about 15 minutes before I found out they sent the wrong ones. 
they have a green tint to them. 
the new ones are the “IFR Certified” windows with the paper still on them. 

[Lance Link]

Jet Shades look pretty nice, but I have not yet contacted them to see about the practically and cost of having them made for the Mooney.  My guess is they will be fairly expensive.  Maybe some of us with similar enough models could split the cost of the "tooling".

 

[Skates97]

2 hours ago, rbridges said:

That's interesting.  I was worried that heat from the film could damage the window over time. 

I've had it on them for I think about 2 1/2 years. When I pulled it off recently to replace it I didn't see any issues in the window. On the tint that uses adhesive there are warnings to not use it on plexiglass, but there are no warnings on the static cling stuff.

[Skates97]

19 minutes ago, Offito said:

@Skates97 thank you so much for your contribution. I think I will try your method. I'm having issues with the regular automobile tint products (3M) which according to "an expert installer" was ok to use. Since your latest post is from June 2020 after 2.5 years of installing it, I would like to know if today (Oct. 2020) you are still satisfied. Thanks again.

PS: I was checking out your website, it is great! Kudos to you for fulfilling your dream!

Yes, I still love it, and thank you!

I would not use the auto products that have an adhesive on our windows. I did replace the tint about 5-6 months ago as it was becoming a little hazy and the grandkids had put some nicks in it with fingernails, but it is so inexpensive and easy to do that replacing every couple of years is a reasonable endeavor.

[A64Pilot]

I had an automotive guy tint the windows on a crop duster, it was there for a couple of years with no problem, average crop duster has auto window tint as they work down South all Summer long, never heard of any issues and they have been doing that since tint was mainstream, they often use “Limo tint”

Don’t go too dark on the front ones if you fly at night of course.

Oh, and if you do use an Auto guy, be sure they know they can’t cut the tint on the window with a razor blade, I had one that was going to, I guess they do that on glass?