Tints: 30% all around or...

[jigen]

40% front, 20% back?

I am itching to get my windows tinted (this heat wave helps that itch lol). I like the idea of all one shade, having everything looking uniform. But sometimes I like the idea of cars with really dark backs and less extreme front tints.

Just looking for suggestions.

 

[JHZR2]

I dont like too dark. Id go lighter all around, or if I went dark, just the rear quarter windows and the back window.

 

[LeakySeals]

For the vehicle posted (crosses, SUV's, etc) many come from the factory with darker tint in the rear, think it looks ok. On a car, think uniformity all around looks better.

Make sure the tinter goes out to your car with the film to test and see how it looks. Depending on how much tint your vehicle has from the factory, may not be enough, or too much. Wish I'd known that.

 

[Unearthed]

What's legal?

 

[LineArrayNut]

I did legal all the way around (and clear on the windshield) on the sonata and kinda wish now I had gone darker. Was thinking it would help w/ driving style and flashing lights. Jeep is just darker than legal on fronts and limo black all else. I like it.
Did have to use more / stronger back-up bulbs on both.

 

[mikered30]

Isn't PA 30% legally?

 

[xxch4osxx]

I have 5% all around on my Silverado, nothing on the windshield except a 4 inch deep strip on the top. Makes a huge difference on the hot sunny days we have been having lately. I don't need the a/c on very high to keep it cool either. It also keeps the interior from fading as well.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: Unearthed
What's legal?

Depends on the state. See this
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

In my state its 35% all around. But they don't really inspect for it. Not as popular here as other states. Cops have have a lot to do with that, they dont like it, give people a hard time, a reason to pull you over and see whats up. Their answer is "As long as I can see you, especially approaching the car, its ok".

 

[The Critic]

Wow, PA has stricter tint laws than CA.

I would go with Llumar Air Blue 80 or 3M Crystalline 70 all around. It will likely have the same heat rejection as low-end 20% film.

 

[BrownBox88]

I have 18% all around with a 5% windshield strip to help reduce glare from the sun. Brand of film is HuperOptik and it's been three years since I've gotten it...no fading whatsoever.

IMO, tint is suppose to do two things, keep interior temps down and prevent wandering eyes from seeing what's in your car. I would go with maximum darkness.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Wow, PA has stricter tint laws than CA.

I would go with Llumar Air Blue 80 or 3M Crystalline 70 all around. It will likely have the same heat rejection as low-end 20% film.

The question is enforcement. If you reference the link I sent above: last paragraph before the individual states. It uses PA as an example of how many different bylaws exist, making it unclear whats legal.

His best bet is talk to somebody locally with dark tint. If the cars passing inspection, thats one hurdle. The other is cop harassment.

 

[jigen]

Yeah, PA has strict tint laws but they don't seem to be enforced at all. I've seen people with 5% tint in cars asking to be pulled over (riced civics, integras, etc) and they never had a problem. My last car had 30% and I was worried a bit at first but at this point I would go 30 without worrying.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: jigen
Yeah, PA has strict tint laws but they don't seem to be enforced at all. I've seen people with 5% tint in cars asking to be pulled over (riced civics, integras, etc) and they never had a problem. My last car had 30% and I was worried a bit at first but at this point I would go 30 without worrying.

This is true.

Regardless, the newer 70% or 80% films can deliver just as much as heat rejection as the low-end 20% films that it makes little sense to go dark.

 

[Mr Nice]

I had limo tints on my old 5.0 Mustang (headers, no cats and flowmaster mufflers) and never got pulled over in 8 years. As long as you are not doing something silly cops won't pull you over for dark tints.

But I agree that quality tints keep your interior much cooler in the summer as it prevents your interior from baking.

 

[Scotty1981]

I did 15% on the back only because I needed it darker for all of the Aholes with their highbeams on all of the time, the rest of the car has 25% and it is a great balance of being able to see well enough to drive safely at night and having enough light blockage during the day.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: The Critic

I would go with Llumar Air Blue 80 or 3M Crystalline 70 all around. It will likely have the same heat rejection as low-end 20% film.


Agree with this. Im looking at putting in the Llumar into my MB.

 

[BigBuck]

All of the families cars are tinted. Subaru I had done last week with 20% on all the windows except the fronts, which I had done at 35%. Strip was already on the windshield.

VA legal is 50% front, 35% rear.

Never had any problems even with 20% tint on the front in the past 10 years.




I say go 35% all around to keep the look the same, or do 35% with 20% rear for a more factory look.

 

[JHZR2]

OT: is cleaning aftermarket tint glass any different than normal factory glass?

 

[lt1man]

My advice to you, DO NOT get anything darker than 20% on the front windows. You want to be able to see out at night.

5% is very difficult to see out at night when there is no light around, or even in lit parking lots you may not be able to see pedestrians behind you or other obstructions. Plus, during twilight hours where the sun is rising or going down, people that have their head lights off are INVISIBLE. You will get into an accident, ESPECIALLY motor cycle you will not be able to see them. Even with lights on some times, the blinding light/glare during these hours with a DARK DARK tint makes it impossible to see out. Use your head. Same goes in severe down pours or bad visibility conditions. Again, you want that balance.

If you tint the back window, do NOT go darker than 20%. You want to make sure you can see out, and if you have a COP behind you, you want to make sure he can see in within reason so you don't get stopped for a tint violation.

The rear side windows, I like to use a 5% personally, it gives privacy to the passengers in the back and just looks pretty cool.

Putting 5% all around the car, bad idea. For safety and for the risk of getting stopped.

PERSONALLY, the best balance all around is 25%. It's dark enough to offer some privacy and block the heat out and you can still see out fairly good at night.

When it comes to cleaning tint, MOST tints you can NOT use ammonia based cleaners, it will ruin the tint. How ever, VIPER tint I believe says you can. There is a glass cleaner called Invisible Glass which can be found at Wal Mart, it comes in an Aerosol can and claims tint safe. I've used it with no issue.

DO NOT get cheap tint either, find a reputable tint shop. Make sure they aren't using some cheap China tint. Often times they will lie. 3M, LLUMNAR, VIPER, etc. Good tint, there are others. On one car I had tinted, after a few years the tint became blurry and in places started to come loose in corners. I've not had very good luck with GILA tint either, it seems to turn purple or have a purple haze. From the outside, it looks black from the 5% I bought. From the inside, a purple haze is noticeable.

 

[moto94536]

I am agree with lt1man about 5% tint. I have 5% tint on back/rear. It is completely dark when backing up.