Tint questions, need input

[HotRaud90]

Florida sun and heat are gettin real bad so I'm gettin tint done next Saturday to keep my Marauder from becomin satan's oven while I'm at work. While settin up the appt. the guy asked me how dark I want to go. I wanted to go with 20% (not too much past the 28% limit here in FL) but the guy doesn't carry 20 and his next darkest is 15.

Anyone know to what extent the factory windows are tinted and how much this would affect the tint percentage goin on?

Also, I'm considering bumpin up to 25 just to be on the safer side even though I'd love to go for 15. Just not in the mood or the financial place to be payin off a daggum tint ticket. Anyone have any ticket stories they'd like to share? Tips? Advice?

[fastblackmerc]

Your tinting guy should be able to measure the existing tint.

[HotRaud90]

Makes sense. Thanks. Anyone else got anything? Pictures of your cars and what level tint you have?

[sailsmen]

I have had tint since 2003. I was told the back is a little darker than legal.

I have never been questioned about it with 180K miles.

There is no visible UV damage to the interior. Regardless it is hot as hell.

[JBeezy]

I'm pushing the limit on tint. Just had my windshield done in 50% and my two fronts done in 35%. Rears and back glass is 4%. Getting back doors done in 35% soon.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[8UWITH6]

15 on the rear glass, 25 on the sides.

[tdotcv]

I had 5 in rear and 20 in front. Extremely dark in the night can't see behind you. If you have a backup camera its ok.

[Chi Stallion]

I have 5% all around and at night it's pretty hard to see when it's dark.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[sailsmen]

I'm pushing the limit on tint. Just had my windshield done in 50% and my two fronts done in 35%. Rears and back glass is 4%. Getting back doors done in 35% soon.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Would it be better to just drive with your eyes closed that way when you needed to see instead of sticking your head out the window you could just open your eyes?;)

[JBeezy]

The sides and rear windows were all 4%. I bought the car that way. Not sure if vegasmarauder did it or the PO. In the end the sides will be 35% and the rear the same. I like the 35% on the sides because I can actually see now

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[ctrlraven]

The factory glass is in the range of 95-98%, so you will need to subtract that 3-5% from whatever tint film percent you want to get to have a closer accurate %.

I went with 30%, lighter looking than 20% to avoid the hassle of being stopped for it and with a darker interior it does make it look darker than 30%. My Taurus is 20% but I have a tan interior and exterior is black.

[JBeezy]

The factory glass is in the range of 95-98%, so you will need to subtract that 3-5% from whatever tint film percent you want to get to have a closer accurate %.

I went with 30%, lighter looking than 20% to avoid the hassle of being stopped for it and with a darker interior it does make it look darker than 30%. My Taurus is 20% but I have a tan interior and exterior is black.


I agree with the interior. Mine is light flint and it does help

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/09/mu9a6u6a.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[HotRaud90]

I appreciate all the input, guys. I'm thinkin maybe with 95-98% range for the glass and the 25% tint, it might show somewhere between 20-23% as the end result. Also, good call about the interior colors affecting the perception of how dark it is. I might go with 15% rear and rear passenger doors, 25% front windows. Maybe.

Keep the pics and personal experience comin. Much appreciated.

[8UWITH6]

IMO do the side windows the same percentage, and the back window darker. I cant stand when you have the back of the car dark, and the front windows lighter. Ruins the look of the car just my .02

[cat in the hat]

I have 20% and it's just right. Any darker than that, and it's hard to use the side view mirrors on a dark night.

I don't know what the final number is because nobody gets tickets for tint around here. Hell, they've even started doing the windshields - it's creepy when you can't see the driver of a car facing you at an intersection IMO.

[tdotcv]

I get pulled over at least 2 times a month when I had dark tints. I changed to lighter tints and never got pulled over yet. But I hate how it looks.but in the night I had to always open my windows to see outside. I hated that too.I agree 20 all around is excellent. Its still dark and you get privacy my sis just got 20 and it looks good.

[cat in the hat]

IMO do the side windows the same percentage, and the back window darker. I cant stand when you have the back of the car dark, and the front windows lighter. Ruins the look of the car just my .02

+1, do them all the same, looks way better.
I also prefer NOT cutting out the piece for the third brake light, but some shops won't do it / might not pass inspection. Again, around here nobody gives a crap.

[HotRaud90]

IMO do the side windows the same percentage, and the back window darker. I cant stand when you have the back of the car dark, and the front windows lighter. Ruins the look of the car just my .02

Noted. I tend to agree, although I don't think it looks unbearable on some cars. However, on a black MM I'd rather just have it all one percentage.


+1, do them all the same, looks way better.
I also prefer NOT cutting out the piece for the third brake light, but some shops won't do it / might not pass inspection. Again, around here nobody gives a crap.

The guy at the place I'm goin to is gonna be removing the rear tail light to install tint on the rear glass. He's very well spoken of in these parts, though, so I'm not worried.

Sounds like I might bump up to 25% in the end. That much less likely to get a ticket + with the 3-5% tint already inherent in the glass it might end up more like 20-23% which is fine by me. Thank for the advice, fellas. If anyone else wants to share anything, feel free!

[JBeezy]

I actually would like all other windows to be 35% with the front being 50%. Just don't want to chance ruining my rear defrost removing the existing tint

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[HotRaud90]

Well, here it is. I got 15% all the way around. Left the windshield as is with the factory pre-tinted strip at the top. Decided against the strip as it would most likely go below the AS1 line when applied due to the curvature of the glass and how the tint would be cut. Didn't wanna deal with gettin nailed for that so left as is. Not a big deal for me.

The tint is 15% Llumar ATR. The guys did a great job with the dot matrix stuff on the rear window and it looks really clean. The car really does feel cooler when I get inside now. They did it all for $170 with a lifetime guarantee for the tint, workmanship and any defects that may arise.

And not to mention the sexy blacked out look :coolman:

[cat in the hat]

Nice ! Good price, too - that'd be $200 - $225 here.

[HotRaud90]

Nice ! Good price, too - that'd be $200 - $225 here.

Thanks! I think I got a pretty good fair deal too.

HOWEVER, I think the guy might have broken the rear clip on my passenger side power control panel. Ergghhh...let's see how much he stands behind his work now. He was a real nice, straight forward guy so hopefully he'll own up to it.

[MM03MOK]

Tint shop measured my driver's window a while ago when I was thinking about it tinting and the meter said 85%.

[bugsyc]

There are different qualities....Aside from the darkness..The more expensive brands allow less heat in.They have a rotating wheel with the different qualitys that they turn under a heat lamp.You put your hand under and can feel the difference in heat at the same tint level...I got the reflective 27%...I think the reflective is what keeps the heat down,,27% is the legal limit in SC...And they will give you a ticket after pulling you over and measuring the tint.....If I thought I'd get away with it,I'd get 10%....

[Ms. Denmark]

_____________

[HotRaud90]

Your car looks great with 15% all around. My state doesn't care about the rear window...if you have side mirrors you can paint it black for all they care. The only issue is the front driver/passengers windows cannot be tinted legally (and no tint on windscreen ). I have 20% on the rear and 35% on the rear passenger windows but I do intend to tint the fronts as well. Will likely go with 20% all around. (or 35% up front if I chicken out.) My car is SB with light flint and that does make a difference in the decision about how much tint looks good. I do want to see out the rear at night.

Thanks :) The 15% is dark, but honestly it's not as dark as I thought it would be. It's perfect for me. I don't think the law will haggle me that much. I think not having the windshield strip done will help. The tint guys told me that's what a lot of cops will see first when makin a judgement call on tint. Makes sense, especially if they're drivin on the opposite side of the road.

For reference, Ms. D, I saw an Altima being rolled out of the shop as I was pullin in that had 15% done all the way around and I was surprised at how light it looked. Then I realized it had tan interior. Really does make a difference in the darkness and how it's perceived to the human eye.