Opinion: Tinting of windows? Is it common? Is it dangerous?

[Teddsgotwings]

Context: I live & fly in SoCal. Ive got tinted windows on my ground vehicles and they help preserve the dash, maintain cooler temperatures inside, protect the skin from too much sun exposure and the potentially harmful side effects of that, and tints also provide a bit of privacy. 

I was wondering if its common practice to do the same on aircraft windows? If so, is there a special tint given that the windows are not glass? If there isnt anything special to it or inherently dangerous about it I'd consider tinting all four side windows, leaving the windscreen as is. I love being up there but if I could limit the amount of sun coming in I would certainly be interested in doing so. 

If this is common and anyone knows of any SoCal based businesses that provide this service please share. Back in my teenage years I tried my hand at tinting some of my trucks and it came out less than perfect. I don't want any bubbling on there. 

Sorry if this has been discussed before and I didn't search the old threads. 

[Rwsavory]

You can easily and cheaply do it yourself using Gila static cling film.  I did three windows, leaving the pilot's side window untinted.  No bubbling at all.  If you don't like it, it's easily removed.  I've been flying with it for about 2 years, and it has dramatically increased comfort for my passengers.  The film is not optically perfect, but it's good enough for the side glass.  Some folks put a strip of it along the top of their windshield as well.

https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=137566&hilit=tint

https://csobeech.com/windowtint.html

[toto]

My understanding is that it's really easy to damage aircraft windows by using automotive tinting solutions.

A couple options I'm aware of, off the top of my head:

* JetShades | https://jet-shades.com/ | https://www.aviationconsumer.com/industry-news/editorial/jet-shades-efficient-see-through/

* JustPlaneTint | https://justplanetint.com/

The JetShades product is quite a bit more expensive, but seems better engineered.  I have no personal experience with either of these products.

[Skates97]

Don't use any tint that has an adhesive. You want to use the static cling stuff. I've had a writeup on it on my blog since 2017. It is still the most viewed page on my site. If you don't want to tint the front windows just keep a few smaller squares of the tint in the seat back. Toss it on the dash, it gets warm, and then stick it to the window wherever you need it to keep the sun off you. On descent just pull it off the window, fold it up, and put it back in the seat back for next time.

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

[EricJ]

My airplane has the grey-tinted windscreen and side windows (native color, not an applied tint), which is nice and I think helps a ton to keep the airplane cool when parked outside.

That said, I also use the cling-tint stuff (purchased by the roll at Wal-Mart) and have a banner of it across the top of the windscreen and also across the top 3-4" of the pilot's side window.   I also keep a few squares of it stuck up on the back windows to grab and put where needed or for passengers to use as needed.

The cling stuff is awesome.   If you're replacing windows, opting for the lightly tinted grey has been good on my airplane, but the cling tint will work regardless.   The cling stuff may need to be taken down and replaced once in a while, but it's easy enough to do.

 

[LANCECASPER]

I did this a couple summers ago and am happy with the product:  https://justplanetint.com/collections/aircraft-kits/products/mooney-plane-tint-kits

[carusoam]

Common topic…

Multiple ideas…

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Window tint&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

-a-