I just had the windows on my '91 white synchro westy tinted.  I am REALLY
pleased - even surprised-- with the results  - as the van interior is
NOTICEABLY cooler on hot days AND, the black/white contrast aesthetically
looks really cool too!  (This has given me added incentive to keep all the
black trim conditioned!) The tinting also masks the other chrome/white (?)
window frame parts, so the effect of "pure black and white" (which I wanted)
is increased.

I have also appreciated the slight addition in privacy as well:  people
don't seem to notice me/movements in the van nearly as much in parking lots
etc.

The only drawbacks are that 1) at night sometimes it feels a little TOO dark
inside and 2) in beautiful surroundings like the desert where there are lots
of subtle color changes,or at sunset, the tinting sometimes filters too much
out.............so I just open the windows.

Overall, I highly recommend tinting, and I agree with whoever wrote a while
back that doing it perfectly is not necessary.  On my van, there are little
1/8" strips in 2 or 3 places where you can see the clear glass with the
windows open.  In my opinion, this is a small price to pay versus the extra
time/money to take out cabinets/windows etc to get it perfect.

>From: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
>Reply-To: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: What Mini-Projects are going on?
>Date: Sun, 27 Jun 1999 22:10:43 EDT
>
>Alot of times on the List all we here about are engine conversions, engine
>rebuilds, transmission repairs, etc.  All of these are major projects and
>undertakings.  What I want to know is who is doing a Mini-project right
>now?
>Something to improve the van that takes only a day or two and gives you
>that
>satisfied feeling of a job well done when you get through.
>
>As an example I am getting excited about putting up tint on all the side
>windows of the van (except the two front ones of course).  This should only
>take a few hours but I am hoping to get cooler inside van temps.  I bought
>the top of the line stuff at Wally Mart with the metalized coating ($12 a
>roll).  Looks like 2 rolls should do both sides.
>I want to do the tint addition scientifically by measuring the heat in the
>van with it sitting in the sun pre-tint, and then post-tint to see how much
>of a difference it makes.  I then am looking for (or will fabricate) a
>windshield reflector and see how much of a difference this makes (it will
>at
>least help the dash live longer).
>One last idea I am toying with is one of those solar powered fans that just
>sit in the window and circulate outside air into the van to keep the inside
>temps down when parked.
>
>Any one else have a mini-project that they would like to share?
>Ken Wilford
>Van-Again
>John 3:16

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