It's possible to do it yourself, but it's a lot of work. You don't have to
remove the windows to tint them. I would call around and ask the tinters
about the law in MO and get pricing from each of them. You will probably get
different interpretations of the law from each of them, so get it in writing
that the installation meets local and state law.

I had my 1991 Carat tinted by the VW dealers detail guy for about $120.00
and was very satisfied with the job. He had the van for a day. My '87 had
the tinting done in '87 by the original owners tinter, and it still looks
great. In Florida, we get it as dark as legally possible since it makes the
vehicle so much cooler and the AC doesn't have to work nearly as hard. I
have a band on top of the windshield also.

Something to watch out for, if you use the newer metallic tints on the
windshield strip, they will interfere with toll road transponders, if you
use those in your area. We have a lot of sunshine in Florida, but we also
have a lot of toll roads.:>)

Tim Hannink
Winter Park, Florida
1987 Wolfsburg Edition Westfalia Camper - "Goldibox"
http://hanninkt.home.netcom.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Jeff Birk
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 10:00 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Window Tint..Professional or D.I.Y.?

I am contemplating tinting the glass on the Road Whale this spring and
thought I would ask opinions on the task and results.  Should I do it
myself or have the work done professionally?  Should the glass be removed
for best results?  What grade or degree of tint is best?  I probably won't
have the driver and pass glass done since the laws in MO require a special
permit.  I would like to tint the top portion of the front glass and maybe
the lower few inches of front glass as well�any thoughts?  Any ideas on
cost?  I know many have had this done and many more have done it themselves
so any thoughts are welcome.
Thank you.

Jeff Birk

'89 Wolfsburg GL  'Road Whale'
'82 MB 240D 'Slo Mo"
'59 Commando Runabout - with tailfins