Window tint/interior protection?

[chatbreaker]

Let me start by saying - I am not tinting my windows for looks. I park my car outside, and I know how GM interiors have a tendency to fade, chip and crack over time.

That being said, I am thinking about tinting my windows. State laws regulate 50% VLT front, 35% rear. I am thinking about going 20/20, since local cops don't typically hassle people unless they're running limo tint. Any suggestions on brands of tint? I bought some Black Magic brand (the one with 2/3 stars, supposedly their "premium" line) but returned it after reading reviews about it turning purple after a few months.

Also, I'm on a budget, so 3M is a bit out of my budget at the moment.

One last thing, any suggestions on products to protect the dash pad? I'm not crazy about armorall, Any experience with other UV protectants? I have a radar detector and GPS on the windshield, so one of those reflective windshield things don't really appeal to me since I don't want to take things off the windshield every time I park my car.

Look forward to your responses, thanks.

 

[The Guz]

For the interior of my car I like to use meguiar's quik interior detailer. You can use just this product by itself. It has a light cleaning ability and leaves a little UV protection. It will not alter the appearance of the interior. With this product you will have to apply it more often. I use it only for the cleaning ability. For an interior that is heavily dirty I use meguiar's all purpose cleaner and once it id clean I use quik interior detailer before I use a protectant.

So once I use quik interior detailer as my base, I follow that with meguiar's ultimate protectant. This leaves behind a UV protection. Apply it and let it sit for a few min. Then go over with a microfiber and lightly buff to remove any excess product. This will darken the interior and leave it a little glossy. The shine can be knocked down when you are lightly buffing. I typically get 2-3 months durability with ultimate protectant.

If you don't like you interior to have gloss then consider meguiar's natural shine. It will darken the interior just a bit. It will last about 1 month.

These products are meant for the plastics and rubber.

For the leather in the car I use meguiar's leather sealer system. I get it at autozone. The leather products in this kit are used 3-4 times a year.

 

[chatbreaker]

Good suggestion, I forgot I have some meguiar's product in the garage - I've got about 20 different kinds, from Mist N' Wipe to Quik Detailer and a few things inbetween, I'm sure I'll find something. I've tried the Meguiar's Natural Shine protectant, but being that I have a tan interior, it's kind of difficult to make it shine like a black one would. I'll keep using the natural shine stuff though, maybe once a month, if not more frequently. First step is to get the windows tinted, I'd rather do that sooner than later.

Thanks!

 

[industrialfish]

Tint turning purple has almost absolutely nothing to do with the tint, it's how it was installed.

Also, consider your factory glass is tinted to ~70% so be wary of adding 20% tint onto that (calculates to %14)

I have %35 on mine and I remember it measured ~%27 (calculates to %24.5) Which is dumb because you can clearly see right through them yet Ohio law is %50

 

[Ultra440]

Tint turning purple is from using ammonia based galss cleaners. Try vinegar or some otger natural streak free cleaner

 

[The Guz]

Good suggestion, I forgot I have some meguiar's product in the garage - I've got about 20 different kinds, from Mist N' Wipe to Quik Detailer and a few things inbetween, I'm sure I'll find something. I've tried the Meguiar's Natural Shine protectant, but being that I have a tan interior, it's kind of difficult to make it shine like a black one would. I'll keep using the natural shine stuff though, maybe once a month, if not more frequently. First step is to get the windows tinted, I'd rather do that sooner than later.

Thanks!

Try ultimate protectant. It looks good on a tan interior.