Blue Window Tint

These customized cars are made to order

You hear 'em before you see 'em. Once in view, you can't look away.

Eye-catching customized cars are all over the area. While some owners are content with a nice pair of rims and maybe a stereo upgrade, others go all out.

Akin to high fashion, car customization is a world without creative or monetary limits. The best designers are sought nationally and beyond.

From seriously bumping bass to dripping candy-colored paint, you can find it all and more in central Illinois.

Getting in the game

Transforming a beater-with-a-heater into a mobile attention unit takes time. If the cash is right, it can be done in a few years. It is best to work inside out, the designers say.

The first step is the engine, and a place like Don Sears' AAMCO Transmissions on Jefferson Avenue can help.

"I do everything from mild customization to complete transformation," Sears said. "Usually a customer comes in here with a game plan and a budget. Sometimes they're looking to go fast, sometimes they're in it for the looks. I try to work them towards something reasonable and drivable."

Sears doesn't build engines or transmissions; he just installs them. He orders parts from specialists and car dealerships throughout the country.

"There is no limit to what we can do under the hood," Sears said.

When asked about how much money he has put into cars like his all-black 1966 Chevelle Super Sport, Sears says he doesn't know.

"If you're gonna get into this, you don't keep count," Sears said. "That's a number you don't want the lady finding."

The owner oftentimes does not want to know, either.

Tom Edwards, 67, says he put in as much money and time as he had when he was restoring his 1929 Cadillac back in 2005.

"A lot of times I tinker with things, but for this one I had a goal," Edwards said. "It was seven days a week for a year. My wife said I had lost my mind."

Enthusiasts agree- car customization is a field almost exclusively driven by men.

Edwards says the allure of bringing something back to life is particularly rewarding. The attention does not hurt, either.

"People want to buy it from me, but I'm holding on to this one," he said of the Cadillac.

The next steps

Once the underbelly of the new toy is complete, the next stop is buying the sound system.

Blue Window Tint - Tint Master

Avoiding a Fix-It Ticket for Window Tinting

"Hi sir, do you know why I pulled you over today?"

Those are among the last words a driver wishes to hear.  But if a law enforcement official pulls you over for a window tinting violation, that's exactly what you will hear.  Virtually every state has window tinting regulations.  These limit a wide variety of components.

For instance, nearly every state limits the permissible darkness level on a window tint.  Mostly, this is done so law enforcement officials can identify a driver in the event of a routine traffic stop. By requiring the driver of a vehicle to be visible through the windows, a great many safety hazards are eliminated. 

The best way to avoid the dreaded traffic stop and fix-it ticket is to be legally compliant in the first place.  That is why it is best practice to ensure knowledge of your state's window tinting laws. 

Let's review legal categories of which you should research and be aware in your own state:

 

Darkness Limitations: Each state limits the VLT (visible light transmission) that is permitted on a car's windows.  For instance, a 60% VLT would mean that sixty percent of visible light will pass through the windows.  Its common in many states to allow rear windows a greater degree of darkness.  This is the most prominent regulation that prompts traffic stops. Reflectivity Standards: Many states outright prohibit or strictly regulate this. What this means is that the reflectivity of the window tint film is restricted to a certain percentage.  In most states this may range from no reflectivity allowed whatsoever to 25%.  If you feel that your tints are overly reflective, it's best practice to consult with a professional tinting company or local law enforcement Color Restrictions: This is not as prominently known, but is just as critical.  Many states have colors that are prohibited for window tinting.  Common restricted colors are red, amber, blue and yellow.  The reasoning for this is to avoid confusion between private automobiles and that of law enforcement. Film Certification/Sticker Requirements: A handful of states require that all film sold in the state be certified.  Further, a lot of those states require an official sticker designating legal and/or certified film.  For instance, if you live in Texas, this is required.

Note to self: blue window tint for the Bus.

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