Readin through a couple threads and it got me wondering about window tinting on customs. Is it traditional? I know it was used on gassers and some hot rods, but what about a custom? When was it first used? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Green tint was factory available in the early 50's, perhaps earlier. Cadillac and Buick also had a blue tint glass. Typically reserved for cars with A/C. "Blue Glass" was a popular custom car swap in the 50's, several articles have stated it. But the dark "limo tint" style stuff? I've been told there was a spray on variety available through Honest Charlie/JC Whitney at some point, but my guess is that'd be 1970's at the earliest. I can't think of one single example off the top of my head of a car built in the 50's or 60's that had dark tinted glass. Maybe it existed at that point, I'd be curious to know if anyone could dig anything up. HRP is right about the "gassers" and race cars, that was usually tinted Plexi. Some street cars had roof inserts of tinted Plexi as well.
Cal Custom had spray on tint in the late 60's,I say do it! Gotta have that UV protection in Texas and AZ.
If they would have had it available they would have used it. Just because it wasn't common doesn't make it wrong. Make your ride comfortable to drive and it will get used a lot more.
Subscribed. I know there's gonna be some drama, but Jeff has a point. The high today in DFW is going to be in the 90's. UV protection is a very real issue here, and I'm about to replace the 66 year old glass in my 47. I have the option of tint in the new glass, and I'm still on the fence. Tint really makes a difference in hot climates. I'd like to hear from, and maybe see some cars with tint. There has to be some sort of compromise there somewhere. I remember some of the cars in the 60's with tint, but don't remember any much older than that. Thanks, Mike
I can't imagine having a car in Florida without window tint. Not only would you fry, but the glare would be unbearable. It might not be something we saw on customs in the 50's a lot, but you have to make concessions to modern conveniences sometimes if they are available . Plus, you want to protect that nice white tuck and roll upholstery. Don
I used spray on tint in '64. It was crap, impossible to get it right. That fad was at the same time as aftermarket head rests. If I lived in Texas, I wouldn't need to ask if tint was alright. Texas sun shows no mercy.
I'm in Texas and I got no a/c... so my windows are always down and tint would be useless. I have seen limo tint on old cars and it just looks weird.
typically the 'limo tint' looks bad, but i bet you could go with a green ish hue and not quite so dark and be fine
My current ride has smoke tint glass (not very dark, but still...) I was not worried about "traditional" when I put it together. My plan for my current project is clear glass when I put it together, drive it that way for a while, and then get the windows tinted dark because I like to drive a lot especially in the summer and it is frequently 100 degrees here! Traditional? No Comfortable? Yes Which is more important? You have to decide and no one can tell you.
i`m in southern Utah (the sun can be brutal at 6000 ft elevation with crisp clean air) in the cab i usually have the windows down ... but i have a lot of windows in the back (where my dogs ride with me) and i think limo black would just not look right... what else could be done?
That only proves that we're really restorers. Hot rodders always used the latest. BTW, I don't have a problem seeing myself as a restorer. Just not restored to factory stock. Period correct is more like it.
Being as we're in Florida more then half the time at our beach house, the limo tint is staying on my wagon. I could care less if everyone doesn't like it. BTW the wagon came with factory air and green glass from the factory.
If you just want UV protection, they now make a clear tint, or very light tint, for UV protection. In California, it's illegal to put anything on the driver's or front passenger window. You're allowed a band on the upper front window, otherwise, all the rest of the windows, you can tint as dark as you want, provided you have both side-view mirrors.
In Houston, I think the only cars that can have a limo tint, are registered limos. The cops can give you a ticket, but usually only do it if your being an asshole. In fact, I just bought a grocery getter and it has limo tint. I mean, it's so damn dark, it's hard to see out the side and rear windows at night. I'll probably change it eventually, but for now, I wear sun glasses and pimp pose.
I plan on tinting the windows on both my marginally o/t Sweptline Dodge pickups as dark as I can legally go, as neither has A/C.
I get a kick out of people saying no it wasn't traditional. How do they know. If being done in the fifties makes it traditional, then, yes it was used on customs. The 1940 Mercury owned by Jerry Yatch in the fifties had blue tinted glass. It won best custom for years and there are thousands of witnesses. Several more from the period that I remember, and the old guys from Michigan will probably remember.
The spray on geen tint was available in early sixties. I had a 56 Olds i used it on . you sprayed it on at the top and it was suppost to run down and coat the window. didn't work to bad on side windows but not worth a damn on sloped rear window.
I went with a tinted rear window(glass itself),=not black,but like a #3 I think?. Rest of glass is green tint. Might not be trad,but don't like being lit up like a telephone booth while cruising.... Everything flows nicelly,and the green all around makes the car look darker all around -towards the inside.
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