Tint question regarding back window
 

So, I just had my car professionally tinted and wanted to ask your guys opinion before I call and complain.

The tint looks fine except for the back window where they cut around the 3rd brake light and left below it untinted. I searched and haven't seen anyone else car like this. When your car was tinted did they have to remove that 3rd brake light to completely tint the back window? If not, how was the tint job done correctly so there is no weird untinted part of the back window.

If you guys need pics to understand what im talking about let me know.

Thanks.

The business that tinted mine said there was no need to remove the light and they did a fine job without removing it.

I would take it back, that probably looks pretty silly.

I had mine tinted 2 weeks ago and they did the same thing. I'm a little upset they didn't ask me first. Although it doesn't look bad, I will probably say something to them. Also, I know others have had theirs done the same way but I'm unable to find their threads.

My rear window tint has the same cut out as op. The dealer tinted the windows when they got the car. Doesn't bother me, but untill I was at a meet a few weeks ago i didn't even realize other's weren't cut out.

I just called the guy and he said they do it because in the state of VA the car wont pass inspection if the 3rd brake light is tinted. I said that i wish he would have said something. I think im going to take it back to get retinted. I think it looks pretty bad.

I think of it as just reassurance because people can see me braking a little better.

I would prefer to have the 3rd brake light covered, but I certainly understand the tint shop's reasoning. Especially in VA, the anti-car modding state...they are strict in VA!

Nick C.

My tint shop never said anything, never took the light off, never broke it, and managed to perfectly tint the whole rear windshield. First BRZ they'd done as well. I was impressed.

I was asked if I wanted cut out at around the brake light or not. I said don't cut and don't take my shit apart either. He smiled and said no problem brah, you are not my first 86! ;) so there has to be a way without removing the light.


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I don't see any mention in Virgina State Vehicle Code, but apparently it is something that a safety inspection is supposed to check. That said, people have passed with tint covering the third brake light so YMMV.

THanks for the advice guys. I'm gona have them redo it.

Any tinting company worth half it's weight should not have cut around the light. It's quite easy to remove even, at any point. But my tint guy didn't even have to remove it and tinted the full window and it's perfect.

I did watch a YouTube video on it once, I'll see if I can find it.

Coming from someone that tints for a living, I can say there is only one car out there that i will cut the third break light out of and it is not a FRS/BRZ. I tinted mine just fine without removing or cutting out the third brake light. Personally I think it makes it look very unprofessional.

After talking to the dealer and asking them about it, they said they do it for all their cars. I thought that was a joke until I drove around town and saw that most cars with tint do have the third brake cut out. For $135 and lifetime warranty, I'm happy.