Get the Titanium Tint, thats what I am fixing to have done next week at the place we have all our cars done. They have a tint called Black Chrome (looks a little Chrome to Dark), Titanium is between chrome and aluminum and looks good. Go to a auto tint dealer and look at the tints they should have a little display if they are any good.
Here's a couple of shots of our baby outside with the 'chrome' tint. We travelled last winter and the tint really kept the trailer cool while we were in Arizona, and California. As for night time privacy, we still have to keep the curtains closed.
Sorry, second picture is before the tint was applied.
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Gypsygirl1 and Hubby
1959 A/S Tradewind Landyacht 24ft (the traveller)
1952 Royal Spartanette 35ft (summer home)
1954 Pacemaker 32 ft (summer guesthouse)
Tin Can Tourists Vintage Trailer Club
1966 26' Overlander
1966 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
From Parts Unknown
, Unknown
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 58
I put on a 99% reflective tint I got from Lowe's with good results which has held up for almost a decade. BUT I ended up taking it off the front glass as it was hellish when the sun hit it just right when towing. Also I missed the see-thru-the-trailer feature. I have the front window now just smoke dark. The best thing about Highly Reflective window tint is that its private (as long as you're not back lit at night) and it preserves the upholstery from UV fading.
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Alex Kensington, Full Timing with
Charon Henning, The Most Dangerous Beauty Alive™
1966 Safari Overlander & 1961 Safari
1956 Spartan Imperial Mansion TCT Since 2002, 8728,
I have a Basecamp and the windows are pre-tinted fairly dark already. You can see by the attached pictures what it looks like in strong sunlight from the outside and inside. You should talk to a professional tinter and ask them to show you pictures of the work that they have done, they should have some examples of the tints against various silver painted cars and trucks that could give you some feel for it... try taking a picture of your rig and find someone who has Photoshop by Adobe and drop your picture in and starting running variations of tints on the windows. This is very easy now and you should be able to download a 30 day trial that will allow you to get the job done.
Good luck it really makes a difference...when you clean the windows use a microfiber cloth and distilled water only if you want to have your window tints last.
Bizcamp
__________________ He didn't expect; he was not disappointed!
Are there tints that are more effective contolling UV than others? Is UV a major factor in heat gain in the trailer? I recently bought a couple of roof vents and originally wanted clear. MaxxFan told me smoke better filters UV and therefore less heat gain in the trailer.
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Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
Most all the tints films will eliminate over 90% of the UV. UV is on the opposite end of the visible light spectrum as Infra red which is the heat part of the spectrum. If you want to hold out the heat the chrome type tints are best. If you really want to do a good job for keeping out the heat, awnings are the right thing. The big awning on the curbside is really nice to set under and have a cool one. That really beats the heat. Painting your roof white will help your interior temperature by lowering it 10 degrees in the blazing sun. our 77 has a white roof.
I put on a 99% reflective tint I got from Lowe's with good results which has held up for almost a decade. BUT I ended up taking it off the front glass as it was hellish when the sun hit it just right when towing. Also I missed the see-thru-the-trailer feature. I have the front window now just smoke dark. The best thing about Highly Reflective window tint is that its private (as long as you're not back lit at night) and it preserves the upholstery from UV fading.
I've got a newer trailer, and it's got a satin exterior finish - certainly not mirror shiny like the newly polished units.
During a recent trip to Lake Placid we had friends following us in a moho - they said that when the light hit our A/S just "so", it would flash and blind him. He said it happened frequently enough to be somewhat bothersome yet somewhat amusing.
Adding chrome tinted windows to the mix would certainly make it worse I'd imagine.
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[SIZE=1]Michelle & family
[COLOR=Blue] 2005 28' International CCD
Most Auto shops carry the dark and the silver tint film. It goes on just like the regular tint. It is not as bright as real chrome. You have to see through it from the inside of the trailer. It does not let a lot of light through so it has a tendency to make the inside of the trailer dark. At night, you can see through from the outside if the lights are on inside. You still needs shades for privacy.
Looks good Gypsy. I just Had our 93 25Ft Excella done, (well mostley) with the Titanium Tint. They did not get to the wrap around front corner windows yet because they are going to have to piece those(sharp corners), and they didn't know if I would like that or not, and by the time they got a hold of me they didn't have time to do it. It looks good, but it is not as chrome looking as a thought it would be because the windows came from the factory with a light tint on them to begin with, still dark though. You will need to clean your windows with an approved tint window cleaner, or they will change color on you, usually purple.
Looks good Gypsy. You will need to clean your windows with an approved tint window cleaner, or they will change color on you, usually purple.
Thanks for the tip. Can you recommend an approved tint window cleaner???
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Gypsygirl1 and Hubby
1959 A/S Tradewind Landyacht 24ft (the traveller)
1952 Royal Spartanette 35ft (summer home)
1954 Pacemaker 32 ft (summer guesthouse)
Tin Can Tourists Vintage Trailer Club
Keep in mind that ammonia is used to remove old tint. I follows that any window cleaner with ammonia in it is taboo and should not be used on the tint side. There are lots of non-ammonia cleaners including Windex but you have to be careful and read the ingredient labels and get the right cleaner.
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Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
Since the tint is plastic, you might be good using Novus or brillianize which are made for acrylic and lexan. I just bought a 71 trade winds and the windows are all mirror tint. I think it looks great. It offers no privacy at night but during the day it's great. My front windows are not tinted but I have a rock guard over that.
Personally I would like to have done the chrome window tint on Airstream One but had to go with what was available back then. Maybe next time. For now it's good to know that if you can you could match the polished finish even if the folks near you loose their sight upon reflection....or their minds when they see how gorgeous it looks. Kinda like this guy's car.
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Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
To clean the tint without ammonia, you can use vinegar. there are even some commercial window cleaners that are made with vinegar, just read the label to make sure it doesn't have ammonia.
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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
Thanks for the tips.... Vinegar is always best anyway, and cheaper, too.
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Gypsygirl1 and Hubby
1959 A/S Tradewind Landyacht 24ft (the traveller)
1952 Royal Spartanette 35ft (summer home)
1954 Pacemaker 32 ft (summer guesthouse)
Tin Can Tourists Vintage Trailer Club
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