07 Legacy Spec B rear window tints - legal?

[jmalk]

Hi all,

Just been to VTNZ for a WOF in my 2007 Legacy Spec B sedan and have been failed for the rear windows and windscreen being too dark.

The tech doing the testing tested them to 4% tint.

The tint is on the rear windows, rear quarter lights and rear window, and I thought it was factory. However, it is the first WOF I have taken it for.

The tech told me its not factory and an overlay, which he apparently proved by taking a scraper to the tint in the corner of the window and removing some, which I was furious about.

The tint looks extremely professional (IE not a DIY job) and I thought it was a factory tint, as I'm sure I've seen other Spec B's crusing around with dark rear windows. However, it is a really dark tint and when I bought the car I was surprised how dark it was.

Can anyone with a Spec B of similar year shed some light on this? Would love to know if your rear windows are tinted, and if so how you fare in warrants.

[JGM]

Factory rear tints on both sedans and wagons are approx. 18% (correct me if I'm wrong anybody). 4% is definitely aftermarket and will not pass a warrant (as you found out the hard way).

Check out this thread, http://clubsub.org.nz/forum/showthread.php?46000-Legality-of-35-percent-tints

[sobanoodle]

Yeah you won't really be able to peel factory tints off.

[jmalk]

 sobanoodle said:

Yeah you won't really be able to peel factory tints off.

I thought that might have been the case. Would a professional tinter be the best person to take it off?

[ToomTom]

Windows in the front and rear for cars specifically must have a VLT of 35% at the least. I believe this does not include factory tinting - only overlays (mods)

I'm not too sure of any professionals in Christchurch but im sure google knows of a few

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Front side windows

'Front side windows' means the windows on either side of the driver's seat. Front side windows fitted with transparent overlays must have an overall VLT of at least 35%.

Rear windows (windows behind the driver's seat)

A transparent overlay applied to a rear window of a car (sedan, station wagon, hatchback, sports car or convertible) must have an overall VLT of at least 35%.

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[Zenki]

 ToomTom said:

I believe this does not include factory tinting - only overlays (mods)

Correct, factory glass can be as dark as the manufacturer likes, the 35% number only applies if there is something on top of the glass.

Leads to the odd case of factory privacy glass becoming illegal if you put a clear film on top.

[lachlan]

Remove rear window glass . Take back for re check . They cant fail it and will write on the sheet "rear window glass removed at time of warrant .

If the windows go fully down then just wind them down and unplug the motors / switches . Or pull main fuse

[jmalk]

Thanks for your help guys. Got it removed this morning by Tiger Tint on Nga Mahi Road, very professional job. Now to get four new RE003s and it's time for a recheck!

Edited June 16, 2016 by jmalk

[Rosssub]

These guys:

http://www.tigertint.co.nz/