GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Summer is coming and I bought Huper Optik 20%ceramic tints for my SoFla Vibe. They came out really nice, offer privacy, and is a great way to beat the heat! I was kind of on the wall about seeing out of them at night but I can see perfectly out of them. If I had gone darker it would have been too dim to see I think. I also purchased a can of Carworx Refinish Restorer. I bought it for $35 on ebay. Although I received the can in a dented and misshapen condition, this is a very good quality product. The plastic cladding on this car is 16 years old and before I applied, it looked sun-faded whitish, terrible. Now it looks like BRAND NEW!!!! Amazing stuff! I was surprised how little you needed to apply as well. The only caveat was that I got a little on the paint with the microfiber cloth I was using and it left some streaks that won't come out. But with that one small can you could probably apply several coats. If there is any GenVibers in SoFla who wants to borrow it for one or two coats I'm more than happy to share. We'll see how long the lustrious finish lasts; hopefully a long time. I'm gonna give it about a week to set in and next weekend I'm going to apply a second light coat. And I also replaced the license plate bulbs with white LED ones. Apparently one of the bulbs was burnt out and I didn't realize. I've attached pics below w/ before and afters.

At this point I'm very happy with the Vibe, although I have a few minor concerns which I'll create a different thread for. But going forward some of the upgrades I want to do are:

• Getting a roof rail near the front of the car so I can use the full length of the roof for add-ons
  Repainting the rear paint-chipped roof rails
  Getting a Roof Rack (for camping/storage on trips)
  Roof rack water tank for showering (for camping/storage on trips)
  Extend out canopy for tailgating
  Red LED lights under dash and driver/passenger seat to illuminate foot area (w/ rocker switch)
  Red LED underbody lights & red led grill lights (w/ rocker switch)
  DIY White LED roof-mounted LED bar (w/ rocker switch)
  Replace radio w/ bluetooth radio

However it may be a long time until I complete these.

Thanks!

more pics

Man, come over to St. Pete and do my windows. I'm sure I'll be cured bacon by the time this upcoming summer rolls around. What are the FL laws regarding tint % for front windows versus back passenger and tailgate?

Caretaker wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:29 pm Man, come over to St. Pete and do my windows. I'm sure I'll be cured bacon by the time this upcoming summer rolls around. What are the FL laws regarding tint % for front windows versus back passenger and tailgate?

I didn't do the tints myself. I had it done at the swap shop in ft lauderdale for 100 clams. I'm not sure.

chrispbacon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:35 pm

Caretaker wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:29 pmWhat are the FL laws regarding tint % for front windows versus back passenger and tailgate?

I didn't do the tints myself. I had it done at the swap shop in ft lauderdale for 100 clams. I'm not sure.

https://www.tinting-laws.com/

It's TINT, not TINTS. Also, if you paid only $100, I'll be highly surprised if it's truly ceramic film. If you park it outside 24/7, you'll know in about a year or so.

SlammedNiss wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:59 pm

chrispbacon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:35 pm

Caretaker wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:29 pmWhat are the FL laws regarding tint % for front windows versus back passenger and tailgate?

I didn't do the tints myself. I had it done at the swap shop in ft lauderdale for 100 clams. I'm not sure.

https://www.tinting-laws.com/

It's TINT, not TINTS. Also, if you paid only $100, I'll be highly surprised if it's truly ceramic film. If you park it outside 24/7, you'll know in about a year or so.

I like the plural form. Its more fun to say. No I purchase the roll on Ebay for$60 for ceramic tint. I had them installed it which cost $100. I didn't want to go with their cheap dyed tint because I've gotten it before and in about a year it turns purple.

Personally, I detest tinted windows. I prefer having the maximum visibility I can, especially at night. With the rear corners restricting visibility as much as they do, blacking out the windows just is asking for trouble.

chrispbacon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:04 pmI like the plural form. Its more fun to say. No I purchase the roll on Ebay for$60 for ceramic tint. I had them installed it which cost $100. I didn't want to go with their cheap dyed tint because I've gotten it before and in about a year it turns purple.

so it cost you $160, not $100. That would be more likely. The plural form is the same as the singular. Similar to the word sheep. But if that's what you prefer, by all means.