The ULTIMATE Tinting Guide
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: NY
this may be a noob question.. but is it necessary to remove panels to have tints installed? I want to get them but I can't get them at the dealer b/c they can only do legal limit tints which look practically non-existent but if I do get them at another place I don't want them messing up any of my panels, putting them back improperly or just plain damaging them...
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Tint Laws for all states: http://www.tintlaws.com
This site is very informative. It's unfortunate I live in IL in this case, i've had SEVERAL friends get pulled for front tint and had to have a smooth tint job removed.
Thanks for the insight about tint, this is great info!
This site is very informative. It's unfortunate I live in IL in this case, i've had SEVERAL friends get pulled for front tint and had to have a smooth tint job removed.
Thanks for the insight about tint, this is great info!
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 6
From: RI
anyone know if there is a film that looks like the OEM greenish tint on the S550 mercedes? i think that looks sick and would compliment the green factory tint on my gs3, i just don't know what it's called and if its readily available.
I have a reputable tint shop near me that will do it for 125, im just trying to decide what to do.
I either want the 20% charcoal, or the S550 style tint.
Also, anyone know if sprayway glass cleaner is okay for tint? i don't see why it wouldn't be as its alcohol based...
I have a reputable tint shop near me that will do it for 125, im just trying to decide what to do.
I either want the 20% charcoal, or the S550 style tint.
Also, anyone know if sprayway glass cleaner is okay for tint? i don't see why it wouldn't be as its alcohol based...
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Well for all of you guys looking to go get your windows tinted you have come to the right thread.
What is window tint?
Automobile window tinting, by its nature, reduces the visible light transmittance through a car's windows
What do the percentages mean?
The percentages that window tint comes in is how much light is allowed to be let in by the window. For example, a 50% window tint will allow 50% of light inside the car, whereas a 5% tint will only allow 5% of the light from outside in. When you go to look for which window tint you want keep in mind that the lower the percentage the darker it is.
How low can I go?
It depends on state to state. Look here: Window Tint Laws By State. What you have to keep in mind is that the lower you go the harder it is to see in the car AND the harder it is to see outside of the car. My car has 15% tint on it and at night it can be hard to see outside of my windows. My friend has 3% tint and you can just straight up forget looking out your windows at night.
Should I do the windshield?
That is up to you. It is illegal in most if not all states. When tinting the windshield I would stay in the 40% and up range. Tinting the windshield will greatly affect the darkness of your inside tint as well because less light is in the car. Driving at night with windshield tint is not that hard at all if you have HID's. With normal halogens it might be a little trouble but nothing too bad.
What kind of tint should I get?
When you go looking for tint you can get a bunch of different colors and types. There are blue tints, green tints, and yellow tints. You can also go with a charcoal like tint or just straight up black. Metallic tint is a tint that looks almost like a mirror instead of being black. This tint makes it harder for the person on the outside to see inside your car.
Where should I go?
I would recommend that you post up this question in the regional forums. The reason being there are TONS of tint shops, some good, some bad. I would make sure I get a lifetime warranty for color change and bubbling.
My tint has bubbles!! What do I do?
When you first get your tint applied you will see bubbles for the first 3-4 days. Make sure you DON'T roll down your windows for those days. The bubbles will eventually dry. If they do not then I would take it back to the tint shop immediately and demand it be re-done. If bubbling occurs later on and you do not have a warranty for it you might as well take it off and get it done somewhere that offers a lifetime warranty.
What do you recommend?
Well I would say that if you are just looking for UV protection and a little dark look to your windows go with 50%. If you want to stay legal but have it still look dark and not really have to deal with police I would go with 35%. If you want to match your back windows of your SUV from the factory I would suggest a 20% tint. If you really want some privacy I would go with 15% or lower. If you just straight up don't want people to see you I would go with my combo...15% on the windows and 35% on the windshield. You could go darker on the windows though.
Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks,
Elliott
What is window tint?
Automobile window tinting, by its nature, reduces the visible light transmittance through a car's windows
What do the percentages mean?
The percentages that window tint comes in is how much light is allowed to be let in by the window. For example, a 50% window tint will allow 50% of light inside the car, whereas a 5% tint will only allow 5% of the light from outside in. When you go to look for which window tint you want keep in mind that the lower the percentage the darker it is.
How low can I go?
It depends on state to state. Look here: Window Tint Laws By State. What you have to keep in mind is that the lower you go the harder it is to see in the car AND the harder it is to see outside of the car. My car has 15% tint on it and at night it can be hard to see outside of my windows. My friend has 3% tint and you can just straight up forget looking out your windows at night.
Should I do the windshield?
That is up to you. It is illegal in most if not all states. When tinting the windshield I would stay in the 40% and up range. Tinting the windshield will greatly affect the darkness of your inside tint as well because less light is in the car. Driving at night with windshield tint is not that hard at all if you have HID's. With normal halogens it might be a little trouble but nothing too bad.
What kind of tint should I get?
When you go looking for tint you can get a bunch of different colors and types. There are blue tints, green tints, and yellow tints. You can also go with a charcoal like tint or just straight up black. Metallic tint is a tint that looks almost like a mirror instead of being black. This tint makes it harder for the person on the outside to see inside your car.
Where should I go?
I would recommend that you post up this question in the regional forums. The reason being there are TONS of tint shops, some good, some bad. I would make sure I get a lifetime warranty for color change and bubbling.
My tint has bubbles!! What do I do?
When you first get your tint applied you will see bubbles for the first 3-4 days. Make sure you DON'T roll down your windows for those days. The bubbles will eventually dry. If they do not then I would take it back to the tint shop immediately and demand it be re-done. If bubbling occurs later on and you do not have a warranty for it you might as well take it off and get it done somewhere that offers a lifetime warranty.
What do you recommend?
Well I would say that if you are just looking for UV protection and a little dark look to your windows go with 50%. If you want to stay legal but have it still look dark and not really have to deal with police I would go with 35%. If you want to match your back windows of your SUV from the factory I would suggest a 20% tint. If you really want some privacy I would go with 15% or lower. If you just straight up don't want people to see you I would go with my combo...15% on the windows and 35% on the windshield. You could go darker on the windows though.
Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks,
Elliott
If you like you I have a tint reference chart on my site you can use.
http://www.tunerlifestyletv.com/inde...d=63&Itemid=72
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: TX
rear window tinting
Ok so I have a 1991 LS 400. I love the car. However, the back tint is bubbling and peeling and I can't see out the back window. It's driving me crazy! I want to remove it myself just to save me the money of taking it in and having someone else do it. I am worried about possible damaging the rear defrost though. Any suggestions on removing this tint safely with out damaging any of the defrosters?
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: DE
Ok so I have a 1991 LS 400. I love the car. However, the back tint is bubbling and peeling and I can't see out the back window. It's driving me crazy! I want to remove it myself just to save me the money of taking it in and having someone else do it. I am worried about possible damaging the rear defrost though. Any suggestions on removing this tint safely with out damaging any of the defrosters?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 5
From: NC
For the first time in my life I am considering having my car windows tinted. I know nothing about window tint. I have never owned a vehicle with anything but factory tint.
I have a 2006 LS430 Ultra, black interior and exterior. It would be nice to get a little bit of a break from the heat during the summer months when the car is outside from time to time. I want as little tint as possible because I don't really care for the tint look. My question is, what is the least percentage of tint I can get, and will that amount of tint be helpful for reducing the heat at all?
I have a 2006 LS430 Ultra, black interior and exterior. It would be nice to get a little bit of a break from the heat during the summer months when the car is outside from time to time. I want as little tint as possible because I don't really care for the tint look. My question is, what is the least percentage of tint I can get, and will that amount of tint be helpful for reducing the heat at all?
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 764
Likes: 18
From: NY
For the first time in my life I am considering having my car windows tinted. I know nothing about window tint. I have never owned a vehicle with anything but factory tint.
I have a 2006 LS430 Ultra, black interior and exterior. It would be nice to get a little bit of a break from the heat during the summer months when the car is outside from time to time. I want as little tint as possible because I don't really care for the tint look. My question is, what is the least percentage of tint I can get, and will that amount of tint be helpful for reducing the heat at all?
I have a 2006 LS430 Ultra, black interior and exterior. It would be nice to get a little bit of a break from the heat during the summer months when the car is outside from time to time. I want as little tint as possible because I don't really care for the tint look. My question is, what is the least percentage of tint I can get, and will that amount of tint be helpful for reducing the heat at all?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: IL
Illinois house bill 3325(actual house bill) has been heavily followed by Illinois car enthusiasts. While the new bill proposes some of the most stringent of regulations for window tinting it is a step in the right direction.
If you have tint darker than 30% on the rear, you will NOT be able to tint your front windows
If you have 35% on the rear section, you can also have 35% on the front doors, or if you go a touch darker in rear…30%, you are allowed 50% on the fronts
Suvs/Wagons/Vans with factory Privacy Tinting on the rear windows, only get to have 50% on the front windows
If you have tint darker than 30% on the rear, you will NOT be able to tint your front windows
If you have 35% on the rear section, you can also have 35% on the front doors, or if you go a touch darker in rear…30%, you are allowed 50% on the fronts
Suvs/Wagons/Vans with factory Privacy Tinting on the rear windows, only get to have 50% on the front windows
Last edited by tintsunlim; Jun 29, 2010 at 03:37 AM.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: D.C.
85%
I am not a fan of tint. Through the years I have heard of 60 percent being the lightest the popular shop in my area offers.
The past couple weeks the summer heat has been killing me. So I did some research and I am not sure of what I am reading.
Can someone tell me what percentage the tint in this section reads:
http://www.latint.com/uv_shield_film.php
I think If i get tint...i would opt for the UV shield 75.
What do you guys think?
The past couple weeks the summer heat has been killing me. So I did some research and I am not sure of what I am reading.
Can someone tell me what percentage the tint in this section reads:
http://www.latint.com/uv_shield_film.php
I think If i get tint...i would opt for the UV shield 75.
What do you guys think?
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: GA
okay question. right now i have the legal limit for the state of GA. I really want to go to a 15-20% tint. Correct me if i'm wrong but I hear that tint tickets are always a simple fix-it-ticket that you can either have a friendly cop sign off on or have your tint removed and show proof of it. The question is, after u got a fix-it-ticket could you put another illegal tint on and just expect another fix-it-ticket if you were to get caught a second time?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 764
Likes: 18
From: NY
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 69
From: oo
