Kaius88

Does it look wierd to have rear windows tinted, and not the rest of the ES350? Or all windows tinted but not the windshield and back window? i want to have the rear passenger windows tinted so my daughter doesnt get too much sun. Because tint kinda affects my vision a bit, just wondering what configuration people generally have. My highlander came with rear window tints and it looks pretty nice.

lexusk8

One of my many pet peeves is seeing cars with just the rear side windows tinted. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense when the front sides are not tinted, thus not shielding the driver/passenger from the sun who spends most of the time in the car. I would just get all the windows tinted (i.e. all 4 sides and the back window).

Ingram4868

In the past I've tinted the driver/passenger at the legal limit with one/two shades darker for the kids windows. With the rear shade I would not tint the rear window, besides it makes it too hard to see "smokey" trying to pace me from a distance.

garsarno

I did my daughter's 2004 Mountaineer prior to here moving to Cleveland. My tinter suggested same tint level for the front windows as the factory rear windows because the windshield lets a lot of light in and if you go any lighter,
the tint effect is lost. I did it to keep nosy eyes from seeing her driving alone, esp at night. Granted the windshield is not but cars / people approaching from the side or rear cannot see in.

2thfixr

IMPORTANT!!!! Make sure you take into consideration the steep angle of the rear windshield. I tinted my GS350 and my mother in law's ES350 with the same tint. I was quite surprised to see that the rear window in the ES looked one shade darker than the GS despite being the same shade of tint. The steep angle of the rear window makes the tint look darker. I always tint my cars and always go with dark for the rear window only and med on all of the side windows including the front. The reason being that it looks uniform and classy. Also, when you use the same shade of tint on the front and rear sides, the car looks lower and longer. When you use 2 different shades for the sides, the car looks taller and shorter. Trust me, it makes sense if you see cars side by side for comparison.

FWIW, dark rear only and med on front and rear door sides is perfect for the ES. It is just a shade darker than my GS but it looks good.

cowdung

2thfixr....I definately agree with you.......nice sig!

toneman

I have 35% all around (except windshield); personally, I would have liked it just a wee bit darker--maybe 30%, 25% at most--since 35% isn't really THAT dark...but I can't complain too much because, a) at least it's the same shade all around; b) since it isn't as dark as 20%, it won't attract the cops too much as far as front window tint violations are concerned (I speak as to CA tint laws only); c) like I said, I wish it could be 30% but "unfortunately" my brother doesn't carry 25% or 30% film...and a "family" discount for a 35% tint job on all windows is a much more acceptable alternative than having to pay typical retail price on say, a 30% tint job. Not to say that 35% doesn't look nice, but I was sorta expecting a bit darker...but that could be due in part to the window size/design/layout of the ES 350; besides, I would think that a 35% all-around tint might look "classier" on the ES 350 than say, a 20% rear/50% front tint (50% because it'll be very hard for any cop to detect such a tint on a front window unless he inspects the window up real close)...but that's JMHO.

josephdoc

OMG...
This is a great question and I never thought about it.
Well, I think it works better to tint more pieces because you definitly will get less sunlight problem.
And, YES, it looks strange to me if you have the windows tinted only buy not the front and rear. Kaleidoscope huh?

Kaius88

i assume all the tinting is done after the cars are fully assembled and arrived at the dealership. Does that mean all the tinted cars have their door panels removed and reassembled at some point? The thought of it scares me because what if they dont know how to reassemble them properly. This is such a new car with all these electronics inside the door.... Any advise on how to pick a good tint installer?

Citylights

If you're in S. Cal, I would recommend:

California Tint Alarms Auto
4325 Rosemead Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626)287-2321

Had my car done there...They are good, cheap ($125) and professional with a lifetime warranty. Tint will look great on your dark SGM ar. I have the Black Sapphire Pearl and it's looks fantastic!

Cali_Girl

Try Song's Tint Masters
2464 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

323.732.9100

Many CL members had theirs done by Song.

Kaius88

Thanks for the advice. I'll call them for a quote and prolly have it done before winter. Just talked to Hann at Song's Tint. He is indeed a pro and just as nice as what everyone says. He is recommended all over the IS forum. The Huper Optik Ceramic seems to be his recommendation, and also the most expensive and high end. At $475 it's kinda steep... but if quality is there I dont mind. The next he recommends is the Madico Polyester non-dye tint. It costs about $250 and does a lot of protection but less heat reduction and UV/IR protection. He believes some metallic tint affects some NAV systems, but not all the time. No metallic for me...im just picking high end Ceramic or lower end Polyester...both with lifetime warranty on part and labor. What do yall think?