cannibal869

Hey you guys,

Just wanted to let you know about something I just tried - DIY Window etching system sold by this vendor on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

His website is at www.vinprotect.com

First off, this kit comes exactly as described in the auction. I think he also sells the stuff from his website, but at a slightly higher price. I think I paid about $15 plus $4 S&H.

At first, I was a little skeptical. I mean, I remember when my wife bought her CRV, we paid like $200 to get this done for her car. Anyways, this kit is super easy to apply and works great. The pics on the auction really do look like the actual thing. Not wanting to screw it up, I tried it first on an old mirror in the corner. Worked just like the instructions said: You just peel the VIN decal (you have to submit your VIN number in order for them to make the decals for you) and place it on the front windshield lower right corner just above the VIN plate, on the driver's side front and rear doors at the bottom near the door pillar and on the passenger's side windows in the same position. I even put it on the rear window and on the sunroof! After you put the decals on, you just paint a little bit of the "glass etching cream" on top of the stencil and wait for literally 30 seconds. Then you peel off the stencil and just wipe off the area with some Windex / window cleaner. That's it. Took me like 15 minutes to do my whole car.

For only $15, this is a really really easy "mod" and if it makes a thief avoid my car or stop and think twice, then I'm all for it. Plus, I think I get an additional insurance discount.

I know some of you guys are a little **** about showing off your VIN numbers to the world, but really... even if it only saves me like an additional $20 off my insurance, it's already paid for itself, right? Plus if you're that protective, I guess you always could just give the guy any bogus number you want...

-Chris

RussB

iTrader: (2)

so this prevents someone from stealing your windows?

cannibal869

not really - it's meant to try to prevent car theft, the logic being that if the thief steals your car and alters the VIN plate on the front dashboard, then unless he/she also replaces the windows (which also have the original VIN number etched on them), then there is the potential of being caught should the thief get pulled over (due to the non-matching VIN numbers). I suppose the other way could also work if they tried putting the windows on a different car with a different VIN number.

RussB

iTrader: (2)

ahh, that's pretty cool.

izhazissuez

do you guys think there would be any negative effects of giving out the VIN number?

ish

iTrader: (7)

you can see the vin number from outside the car anyways on the dash board

cannibal869

In theory, if a thief has your VIN number they can go to a dealer and get duplicate keys made. In reality, any good dealer will require not only the VIN number, but also proof of ownership, and proof of identity/address. Besides, multiple lines of defense is the key - do not only rely on the VIN etching - also get a car alarm, physical lock mechanism, etc... the harder you make it for a thief to steal your car or parts from it, the better off you are in the long run. Again, if a thief really really wants your car, it's theirs. Period. Nothing you can do will prevent a thief from stealing your car if they really want it (outside of that one antitheft device with 0% thefts which I forget the name of).